Original subtitles

Thank you.

1868. A terrible Civil War was three years in the past.

The Golden Railroad spike, which was to tie two oceans together, would be

pounded home one year in the future, and the first great herd of cattle was

driven up the dusty trails from Texas.

It was a time of explosive enterprise and enormous tension, for the Civil War

had left thousands homeless and impoverished.

Peaceful religious sects were still facing dreadful persecution, and the

bitterness between Indian and white was reaching a climax.

The West, once a land of awesome but tranquil beauty, had become a

for a hundred diverse reasons. And in the midst of these conflicting forces

stood the settlers.

Among them, one family named McCahan and a man called Zeb.

McCann's coming in!

Major?

Yo, Mac.

McCann's on his way in, sir.

Oh, thank the Lord.

Yeah, I know what you mean. We're all getting a little edgy. Get him in here

moment he arrives, will you, Mac? Yes, sir, but... I know, now I know, but when

he understands how important this is, it's gonna be all right. I'll bring him

in, sir.

Bye.

Howdy, Mr. McCain.

Hi, Jeff.

Hey, you sure have been sweating your arrival, sir.

That so?

Yeah.

Up and down good, will you, Jeff? He's earned it. Yes, sir. Come on, boy.

Howdy, Jeff.

Hi. Where the heck have you been?

Just doing what they told me to.

Say, that there's a Romanoff flag flying there, isn't it? Sure is. How'd you

know that?

Well, I spent me some time with the Ruskies out in Fort Ross in the 40s.

going on? Now, come on, the Major will explain it to you. Oh, now, wait a

minute. You've got to set me straight here, man.

When I was riding in, they were a hell of a good -looking woman up there on the

ramparts with a glass of champagne in their hand.

What you boys running up here, a body house or something?

Come on, I'll show you.

See for yourself.

I'm sure I believe that, Mac.

I don't blame you, Zeb. I can't get used to it either.

Well, look what we have here.

I bet he's the one we've been waiting for.

I suspect you're right.

Looks like he's been raised in a hollow tree. I think he's magnificent.

Sorry to interrupt, old friend, but the Major awaits, remember?

Thank you.

Valerie, my dear, your basic instincts are beginning to show.

Why, Your Highness, I thought it was my baser basic instincts that attracted

you. Good Lord.

The more polish we try to put on you, the more you'll... Peasant background

keeps asserting itself.

Well, your highness, it appears our wait may be over at last.

Shame on you,

uncle. You made us all promise to speak nothing but English in the presence of

our hosts.

You are quite right, sir. You are, of course, quite right.

Forgive me, Captain Boynton. Not at all, your highness.

Was that our guide?

I believe it is.

I'm told his name is McCann. He's somewhat of a legend out here.

The Indians have great respect for him. They call him White Eagle.

White Eagle.

A drill.

Oh, very drill.

Oh, Zeb.

I can't tell you how glad I am to see you. Oh, Bridger.

Well, I expected you last week. What kept you? You didn't say nothing about

hurry getting back.

Well, when you left, there wasn't any hurry.

But you hadn't been gone 48 hours and I got a message from Washington about

them.

Now, that is a royal hunting expedition.

I expected three or four people.

Looks like they brought the whole Russian court with them.

Well, who are they?

Well, the big gun is His Imperial Highness, the Grand Duke Dimitri, his

to the Tsar, no less.

The young one's his nephew, Sergei. He's the Count of Kiev.

Now, they've been invited here by the American government, and I have orders

supply them with the best available guide.

Guide?

That's you.

Now, they've been here for five days, and they're beginning to get indignant.

I gather they're not accustomed to waiting for anything.

Now, where am I supposed to guide them to?

Now, Zeb, I know you did not hire out to...

Be a nursemaid to a bunch of Russian bluebloods, but this is important.

You said something about a hunting expedition.

What are we supposed to be hunting?

Well, buffalo.

Now, that's what the State Department sent them over here for. They don't have

buffalo over in Russia.

Well, we don't have a hell of a lot of them left out here in case the State

Department don't know that.

That's exactly why we need you, Zeb.

Look, the Civil War bled this country dry.

We can't afford trouble with the Russians right now or anybody else.

been a lot of saber -rattling the last couple of months.

All you got to do is take those Russians out, let them shoot a few buffalo, and

that's it.

How many is a few?

A couple of hundred head.

He just wants a few trophies to take back. A couple of hundred head?

Major, I don't know much about diplomatic relations, and I don't give a

But I know that those Indians that we've driven off of their hunting lands are

starving because the rations that the government's supposed to send them never

seem to show up. Now, you're suggesting that we go out and kill the animals

that'll keep them alive this winter.

Zeb, for the love of heaven, will you be practical?

Practical? The last five years, every white hunter in this country, and plenty

of them that never shot a gun before, have been out killing buffalo.

Now, as a result of all that, I ain't seen a buffalo within 50 miles of this

fort in the last year and a half.

There's buffalo in the Black Hills.

Let me tell you something, Major, in case you forgot.

In April of this year, the United States government signed a treaty with the

Sioux Nation guaranteeing that no white man had ever set foot in the Black Hills

again. That's their sacred land. It's the home of their gods. I am not

suggesting we break the treaty, but those hills aren't fenced.

I'm sure you can find a herd wandering across the line somewhere.

Zeb, this hunt is the State Department's number one priority.

Hell with their priority.

If them Russians want to fight, we'll kick their backsides off.

But I'm damned if I'm going to go out and help him kill Buffalo for the fun of

killing.

Now, where are you going? I'm going up into the high country.

Trying to forget what's going on around here.

So long, Mac.

Deb.

I tried to warn you, Harry.

McCann, I order you to come back here.

I'm not one of your soldier boys, Drake. You can't order me to do anything. You

are still on the army payroll.

Not anymore. I just quit.

One Goldman.

You're the guy we've waited for, for five days.

Matter of money. Just name your price.

Not money.

Well, every man has a price.

Perhaps it is, uh, women.

Then you best get your hand off my arm before you lose it.

It seems, Major, that we can put very little faith in your promise.

I am dreadfully sorry, Your Highness.

Buffalo hunting requires very specialized skills.

McCann is the best guide in these parts, but I'll get you another good man. I'll

give you my word. How long do we have to wait this time?

A few days.

A few days at the very most.

Perhaps in the meantime you can order some more champagne.

Unless, of course, that too is beyond your capabilities.

I'll see to it, your highness.

Who's there?

Luke!

What are you doing up this way?

Been looking for you.

Luke, you're a sight for sore eyes.

I've been trying to get under your tracks for close to three weeks now.

I've been moving around quite a bit.

What's the matter, Luke? Something wrong? Is there trouble?

It's more than just trouble, Zip.

Some real bad news.

Ma's dead.

What?

I can't... I can't quite believe it even now. None of us can.

How'd it happen?

The barn caught fire one night.

I wasn't at home.

Family tried to save the stock and... Well, they did.

Well... Jesse got trapped and... And Ma...

Luke. I'm powerful, sorry.

It was such a freak accident, Uncle Deb.

You don't have to go on, boy.

Ma saved Jesse's life, but... she died of burns that night.

Your ma was one of the finest women I ever knew.

What about the rest of the family?

Uh, nobody else was hurt.

But Uncle Zeb, Josh, and the girls.

I don't know.

They're just so upset about it that I figured you ought to be told.

Maybe you could see them.

You'd feel better.

Maybe they wouldn't feel so alone.

I'll saddle up.

Which one would you prefer, my dear?

That one, Your Highness.

Kill that one near the front. He's the biggest.

Uncle, these people say right behind the shoulder, you know.

Yes, Sergei, I am aware of that. Thank you.

My congratulations, Your Highness. You'll make a fine proof.

Could we not get a little closer, Captain, and use lighter guns?

Bring her off? Spoil the stand.

We would what?

What? You got a good bunch.

Standing easy.

This distance.

Start moving in on them.

They take to running.

But why don't they run now?

They just wait.

They're stupid not to run away from danger.

A clean kill.

What a shame.

What a shame.

There will be others, of course, Captain.

Of course, Your Highness.

Mr. Brinkerhoff will locate another herd if you wish.

Excellent.

Well, it's been a good day shooting.

Captain, would you be good enough to see that the ladies are taken back to the

main camp? Certainly, Your Highness.

This way, ladies, please.

I want you girls to listen up here.

I know we talked a lot about not needing anybody to look after us, but it's Ma's

sister coming in.

She's come a long way, all the way from Chicago, and I want you girls to be

polite.

We don't know all the answers, you know.

Besides, maybe she'll be like Ma.

There ain't no one like Ma, said Uncle Zeb.

Luke should have had him back by now. It's been forever.

Ah, they'll be all right.

Probably just had trouble finding Uncle Zeb, that's all.

Had some trouble, did you?

Bridge washed out again. Had to come by way of Curry.

Don't know why in tarnation they can't fix that thing proper.

Remember what I said now. She's kin.

Gotta act like we're glad to see her.

I... I sincerely hope that you three go by the name of McCann.

Now I see your mother's eyes in Laura.

It's a striking resemblance.

And, of course, I see Grandmother McCann in all of you.

The hills are so green this time of year.

Have you been having much rain?

Good spring rains, Aunt Molly.

Oh, and I'll bet that's just a happy omen for every farmer, hmm?

Spring rains.

In a bad way, no rains, Aunt Molly.

Oh, I can see that, Josh. Indeed, I can.

My, such a lovely young lady, Laura.

Tell me, is there any special young man calling at the house?

Guess not.

I mean, nobody's special.

Well, I'm prepared to guess that that situation will change, hmm?

Plan on staying with us very long, Aunt Molly?

My plans are, um... flexible, Josh.

But I do like this country.

Indeed, I do.

Gone to town to pick up Aunt Molly.

Your ma's sister?

Did you send for her?

No.

We wrote to her saying ma had been killed and figured she had a right to

But none of us dreamed of this.

Did you ever meet her?

Well, yeah, a long time ago, but when your ma was getting ready to marry Tim,

but she wasn't more than 15, 16 years old then.

Wrecked pretty little things, I recall.

Why would she want to come all the way out here from Chicago?

Looks like we're about to find out.

It's Luke and Uncle Zeb.

Uncle Zeb! Uncle Zeb! Jesse, be careful.

Honey?

Laura?

Laura?

Look, I know how you girls feel.

We're all going to miss you, but that look you're grieving ain't going to help

anything.

Once you drop them tears, that's the way your mom'd want it.

Zip.

Josh.

Girls.

Hello, Molly.

Hello, Zebulon.

Oh, look at them so awful without mom.

I know, Jess.

But I think we're all going to get along just fine.

She taught us how, didn't she?

Well, Molly, it's sure nice of you to come all this way to be with us.

It was a mistake, Zeb.

I should never have come.

Good morning.

Morning, sir.

The stage passed through yet?

Yep.

Did you see who was on it by chance?

Yep.

I'm looking for a married couple.

I'm not on it.

Just a couple of drummers and a woman from Chicago.

No Mormons?

Mormons?

Mister, ain't no Mormon gonna come through this town on no stage.

Is that so?

We don't like Mormons here, mister.

Last one of them come through here got run out on a rail.

Hunting down Mormons, are you?

If somebody was riding a wagon westward through these parts and wanted to bypass

the town, what part of the country would he be passing through?

Most likely he'd be passing through homestead sections.

Fact is, there's a wagon road going through those parts.

Be the one passing directly by the McCann homestead.

McCann homestead.

They ain't Mormons, you know.

The McCanns ain't Mormons, mister.

They're good people.

You can't pretend my arrival was anything short of a disaster, Zeb.

Been a shock to them, Molly, Kate, Diane.

They've never seen you before. I reckon just take them a little time and get

used to the idea of you being here.

Oh, the blame is mine.

I had no right expecting to be treated as a member of the family.

You are a member of this family.

You're just going to have to give them a chance to get to know you.

You know, when I heard of Kate's death, all I thought of was children being left

alone and needing help.

But they're not children at all.

They're all grown up.

Yeah, they're not dead grown up, Molly.

They need help more than they think they do.

Oh, Zeb, it's really me who needs the help, if I'm honest with myself.

Don't get your meaning, Molly.

Well, you know, it's been almost six years since my husband died.

Lately, I felt frightened.

Frightened of what?

Loneliness.

Not having any roots.

Nobody needing me.

I guess that's why I didn't ask if I was wanted or needed.

I was afraid the answer might be no.

So I just came.

Now, Molly, let me tell you something.

I think there are roots for you right here.

You know, I got a suggestion or two that I think might just help to thaw things

out a bit.

It's delicious.

Mm -hmm.

Josh, I believe you asked me this afternoon how long I planned on staying

you.

Well, Molly, gee, I reckon we'd all like to have you stay just as long as you

can. Ain't that right, kid?

Oh, you bet.

Well, truth is, I had planned to be back by the first of the month, which would

mean I'd be leaving in about seven or eight days.

Aunt Molly, all the way out here. I mean, only staying a week with us?

We thought you'd be with us at least two weeks.

Yeah, and two weeks our cow will be calving. You ever seen a cow give birth,

Aunt Molly?

No, dear, I haven't. So what's the big deal about a calf being born?

The first one born on this farm, Smarty. Aunt Molly, tell us about Chicago.

Yeah, I hear that place is just full of body houses.

Body houses, Josh?

Uh, that one just kind of slipped out, I guess.

Come in.

Aunt Molly?

It's just the place for them.

Josh, Jesse, and I went and picked them after supper.

After supper, you picked wildflowers in the dark?

Lots of moonlight, Aunt Molly.

Aunt Molly?

We were very rude.

Oh, no.

You're young.

I fully understand a stranger coming into the McKeon house.

But Aunt Molly, I have to say this.

Well, maybe it was all so sudden.

I mean, Ma Diane and then you saying you were coming out from Chicago and...

Well, we were just... Upset over the thought of someone taking the place of

mother.

Yes.

Well, I'm delighted to find that the McKeon children are total human beings.

We're trying to say we don't want you leaving right away.

Please?

We'd like you to stay long enough so that we can get to know each other.

Thank you, Jessie.

Well, how about a man -to -man bargain? I mean, woman -to -man.

A woman -to -woman.

Guess what I'm trying to say is... I'd like a chance to get to know all

of you and for you to get to know me better.

And then at some future time, we can have another talk.

Good night, Aunt Molly.

Good night, Jessie.

It's so good to have you here, Aunt Molly.

Thank you, dear. Good night.

Good night, Molly.

I was just thinking, you're... You're very pretty.

No, son, I'm just a little sick.

Hunting is one thing, but this kind of slaughter turns my stomach.

The royal guests, and if they want to kill every buffalo in the territory, all

we can do is keep smiling.

Maybe we can discourage the Grand Duke from taking home the whole country of

souvenirs. It's up to you, Captain.

Up to me? I won't have me no buffalo shoot.

No, sir.

I'd have me a Sioux shoot.

I'd give them Ruskies some Indian heads to take back to hang as trophies in

their rooms.

That's where we disagree too, Brinkerhoff. There's an old saying, live

live. And we better sure as start following that advice.

Well, Captain, looks like we might have some negotiating to do.

Negotiating? What for? We're not on their land.

No, but we don't kill to eat their buffalo.

They don't look none too friendly.

Listen to me tackle, and I do mean break her off.

Tackle.

Uncle! Look!

Indians!

Cushman, stop!

The American savages.

Aren't they superb?

Be careful, Sergei.

They are armed.

Oh, I'm sure they're harmless, Uncle.

Perhaps we can persuade them to entertain us for a little fee.

Says these here buffaloes belongs to Satangai.

Whose buffaloes?

Satangai is the war chief of the Sioux Nation.

They're claiming the buffalo belonged to them.

Tell them it's a mistake. We didn't know they considered the buffalo their

property.

Mistake? What mistake?

Shooting wild animals on the open land?

Ridiculous.

He wants to know what we're doing here on their treaty land.

Their land?

Of course, we're 20 miles.

We are 20 miles.

I ain't no damn surveyor, Major.

Washito, dark away.

Break her off. Ask what compensation they'd like.

Yes, Captain.

Pay them whatever compensation they require and let us go.

Your Highness, under duress we must submit to demands.

The House of Romanov has never negotiated terms under threat. Never.

Sergei, control yourself.

Can you imagine how ridiculous it would look to the rest of the world if two

nobles of the House of Romanov were harmed by Aborigines?

Please, Your Highness, I'm sure there's no real great danger here, and the U .S.

Army will pay the cost of compensation.

It's just a minor matter.

Well, not quite minor, but... This bed of lice dictates to us.

Tell him he trifles with the powers of the Tsar.

Well...

Bucko here wants the whole party to ride in and talk with Satangai.

The royal hunting party, 20 or 30 miles into the Black Hills?

That's what he wants.

Captain, I wish to leave this place immediately.

Yes, Your Highness.

Break her off. Might we kind of ease back here.

Valerie?

Come away.

Valerie? Where are you?

Send McCann.

He's got to get the Russians back.

If the count is harmed, we can have a war on our hands.

Find McCann.

He can talk to us, that dang guy.

Is he dead?

He's dead, Orel.

He was talking to you.

He said something?

Hey, Molly.

You know, this Friday is Josh's birthday.

I figured this hunting knife might be a good gift coming from you.

How can I ever thank you enough, Zeb?

Nothing's coming along.

Well... It's still too early to tell for sure, but I think

maybe... So do I, Molly.

Injun's got hold of them Royal Russians.

All right, folks, no need to shout. Just take your time and everybody will get a

chance to read it. There's a new captain at home, too.

Any word on that Bruce's taking prisoner, baby?

Last I heard, Zeb, was the Secretary of War ordering the U .S. 2nd Cavalry to

Fort Sully.

You were up there recently, weren't you?

A couple of weeks ago. The whole regiment ordered to Sully? Latest over

telegraph. Brigadier General Stone Siphon himself is leading them. And if I

old Grandy Jack, the Sioux Nation will have about six minutes to return those

captives or have a war in their hands.

They say where does Rookus took place?

Yeah, they're saying approaches to the Black Hills.

Meaning nobody's admitting being on tribal lands.

Figures.

All right, folks, make way, make way, make way.

I don't understand any of this. You mean you're going off to some Indian war

when you've hardly been here a week?

Molly, I don't have time to explain.

What kind of a man are you, Zebulon McCahan?

These children need you.

They just lost their mother.

You saw the way Jessie went to peace at the moment she laid eyes on you.

Jessie will be all right, and so will Laura.

Faith Catherine was right about you. You've no sense of responsibility at

Molly, you sure are Kate's sister, all right.

Let me try and explain something to you.

Those two are friends of mine. In a way, I feel responsible for the fix they're

in right now.

I gotta go there and see if there's anything I can do to help.

Well, your help is needed right here.

You might count for the life of me to see what one man would do in stopping an

Indian war.

I'm not saying there isn't anything one man can do, but I gotta try.

Fabulous. Molly.

Take care of those kids.

Goodbye to Luke.

What are your plans for today, Luke?

I'll figure to do some hunting. Get a good supply of meat on hand.

I'll probably be out overnight.

Oh, then you should have something to eat.

Hey, Molly.

Did Uncle Zeb ever say anything to you about me being wanted?

Wanted, Luke?

You mean by the law?

I don't stay around home too long.

At any one time, I mean.

What law did you break?

Well, my way of thinking, I didn't break any.

If I shot a sheriff who was dead set on lynching me for stealing a horse, I

didn't steal.

Killed a lawman? No, no, I only wounded him in the arm.

I guess he is never going to forget it.

See, it's been more than five years now, and the wanted posters on me keep

showing up all over the territory.

Oh, Luke.

Guess what I wanted to say, Molly, is I'm kind of glad you're around.

See, my brother and sisters, they all think they don't need anybody keeping an

eye out on them, but, well, they sure do.

And it's not just a matter of them needing anybody, either.

I mean...

I think you're a real nice lady, and I'm sure glad you came to stay with us.

Why, thank you, Luke.

I take real pleasure in being here.

I'll see you in the morning, Aunt Williams.

Hey, cool him on down, will you, and saddle another horse for me? Have them

ready in ten minutes? Yes, sir, Mr. Kane.

Now, Kane, what the hell are you doing here?

I come here to find out what's going on. I don't see that's any of your business

now. The hell? It's not my business, Major.

I was one of the men that persuaded Satang Guy to sign that treaty,

that the white man would never go into the Black Hills.

But whatever you did or didn't do, it's...

It's out of your hands now.

One moment, Major.

Captain Poynton told us this man was a friend of the Sioux. He may be able to

help us.

My nephew and a young woman have been abducted by the Indians.

I understood that. I didn't know the reason why.

Well, the reasons, I'm told, have to do with the fact that the Duke's party was

killing Buffalo.

Inside the reservation?

That hasn't been confirmed.

Well, I'll confirm it for you right now if this bucket of scum was leading him.

Hold that, Brinkerhoff, do you?

You go right ahead. I'd love to carve you up.

Don't you know he's an Indian hater from way back? He's been saying for years

the way to get rid of the Sioux is to kill all the buffalo and starve them

Major, I'm going to have to stand here and take this.

You come to insult Brinkerhoff, you got some purpose to your visit. Whether I

got a purpose to my visit, it's up to him.

Did you want to see the Sioux punished for what they'd done, or do you want to

get your nephew and the girl back?

I want Sergei back.

I told these gentlemen that they've got to negotiate, but they...

They say they're waiting. They're waiting for some general in his army.

Well, the Sioux won't negotiate with no army.

But they will with you.

Well, they might. I can't guarantee it.

Get him down here.

We'll talk to him, man to man.

He won't come in here, Major.

Besides, it wouldn't do any good anyway.

He don't speak any English.

Very well, then.

If this chief won't come to us, then we must go to him.

Major, I want you to call up the troops immediately.

Your Highness, I don't have the authority to call off an attack.

I mean, I cannot speak for the General. Well, sir, I can speak for the Tsar and

all the Russian people.

If Sergei Alexandrovich, Count of Kiev and noble of the Imperial House of

Romanov, and on against of your government and under its protection, if

harmed because of a stupid and precipitated military attack upon his

then I can assure you that there will be very serious international

complications between my country and yours.

You'd better listen to him, Drake.

If you don't feel Stonecipher's a man that'll listen to common sense, you'd

better get an authorization from Washington right now.

I'm heading for Satangai.

Mack. Sir.

I want you to compose a dispatch.

To the Secretary of War.

And you tell him that McCain is negotiating with the Sioux for the

the prisoners, and we would like to delay Stone Cipher's attack till we hear

from McCain.

Yes, sir. Be in Washington by midnight, sir.

Well, Your Highness, now, is there anything I can do for you?

Nothing, thank you.

I can only pray that your War Department has more concern for its foreign

visitors than this garrison.

here has displayed up to now.

Good day to you, Major.

It's not a old leg sucker, ain't he?

Brinkerhoff, will you get the hell out of here?

It's thanks to you we're in this mess.

No, you're not going to leave this on me, Major.

It was made plenty clear to me.

To find them Russians Buffalo, or else.

And there weren't no bloody Buffalo, except on that Sioux Reservation.

Just get out, will you?

I heard you shooting.

I've been looking all over for you. What's the matter?

I saw someone watching the house this morning, like he was waiting.

Did you get a good look at him?

Mean looking.

I figured you ought to be warned instead of just riding into the house without

knowing. Bounty hunter, more than likely.

It's a matter of time before one showed up again.

Something I want you to take home for me.

I'm going away, President.

Wait a minute, Luke.

Maybe I can ask questions in town.

Find out if any strangers have been asking about you. Not too smart, me

around so long anyway.

Luke, can I ride with you?

Don't ever ride with a man who's running from the law. I told you that, didn't

I?

You ever get tired of running, Luke?

Yeah, I get tired.

But it don't look like I got much choice, does it?

Not even coming home to say goodbye, are you?

I can't go through it again, Josh.

You do it for me, huh?

Tell Laura and Jesse I love them and... make sure you keep making Aunt Molly at

home.

You hear?

Sure.

Remember something.

You're the man of the house now.

I'm counting on you to look after him.

I will, Luke.

Take care.

I see you, White Eagle.

Well.

The seed of Satangai is strong.

He grows like the snow flower overnight.

Yes. One day he will be a mighty warrior like his father.

You'll find him by the river.

He knew I was coming?

He knew.

In peace.

In peace.

My spirit flies.

It has been five months since the treaty.

How is it with the Sioux?

Better than war, worse than peace.

They do not keep the law, your people.

No, our chiefs change often.

Those that follow do not always honor the words of those that went before.

It is hard to understand.

Your people are many like the leaves of the forest. Can you not find one wise

enough to lead until his vision dims?

A man whose words will be kept by all.

To explain is like trying to catch the running dog.

My chiefs are angry.

It is less than five moons that white man has said this land shall be for the

Sioux alone until the stream no longer runs.

Yet already he has come into that which was to be ours to kill our buffalo for

the love of killing.

And when my warrior spoke to him that he must come to answer, he has refused and

spat upon the sacred buffalo.

Because of this, men die.

In the councils, many spoke for the death of the white man and his woman.

I understand.

But it is not wise.

When the heart is angry, the mouth often speaks with the tongue of a child.

And you do not believe they should be killed?

I believe they should be killed.

But I also believe it is not wise.

Already many soldiers are coming. My scouts have seen them.

More soldiers than they have ever looked on.

The one you have taken, the one called Sergei, well, he is a great chief from

another land, across the big water.

If you kill him, my people may have to go to war with his people.

If you let him live, the soldiers may put away their guns.

If I do not...

They will kill us.

I am afraid it may be.

No one speaks for peace.

They say it is better for the Sioux to die in battle than to live in shame.

If, like the water reed, we bend to this wind, we must bend to all winds forever

or be cut down.

You have something precious to them.

Is there any way to make them bend?

Perhaps.

Always before, the white man has taken what he wants.

And if we resisted, he brought the soldiers as he brings them now.

But as you say, we have something he wants.

Perhaps this time we may win a kind of victory.

I listen.

Then here.

We shall release this great one from across the big water and the woman, but

will not return them to men with war parties at their back.

They will meet us on our ground at Painted Meadows with no more men than

stand in one tipi.

There will be no fire sticks, and they will make a paper with words to say that

it was the white man who broke the treaty.

who would not stand to what they have done.

I hear.

Then hear more.

The paper is not all.

For what they have done, they must make big tribute to the soul.

Tribute in the green paper that the white man loves even more than gold.

How much tribute?

You must tell us.

How much will pain them?

So much that every white man will know they would not make this much tribute

unless they were wrong.

That is good.

That is very good.

Tribute that men will speak of for many snows.

Ten thousand of the green papers.

Ten thousand.

More than all the Sioux, the Cheyenne, and the Arapaho put together.

They will have this much of the green paper?

They will have it.

It is good.

Ten thousand green papers shall be the tributes.

It is good.

Morning. I'll be biting.

Can I help you?

Yeah, seems I got myself lost.

Is there a town around here?

Yeah, Jimson's Break.

Beyond there, just over the top of the ridge.

Thanks. All right, take care of yourself, boy.

Well, by the way, if they aren't hitting here, I saw a couple of real good

potholes upstream a ways.

Oh, thank you.

I'm after Elmer.

Elmer?

Biggest rainbow trout you ever seen.

He's laying up right in front of that rock there, where them ripples are.

Just where he's always at.

Mind you, he keeps trying to make me believe that he ain't there anymore.

But he is.

Just laying there, taking a shade.

Smart. Smart. Awful smart.

It keeps getting smarter every year, too.

Every year?

You mean you've been fishing for that trout for more than a year?

Nine years, Oto.

You can take a dozen pan sizes out of this stream any time you want.

But it's Elmer that makes a fishing worthwhile.

Well, good luck to you.

You too, boy.

Get off the water. Get over there.

It's him!

I got him!

I said get out of the rock.

Don't put me down.

The stream's taking me out there.

Get that net, huh?

nine years ago.

Didn't I, Alma, huh?

Yeah, then I caught you three years after that.

I've been working on you now for let me see, five years, three months.

And I'm gonna get you again, Alma.

I'm gonna get you again.

Goodbye, boy.

Yeah. Thought you was too smart for me, didn't you, huh, Alma?

Oh,

thank you, boy.

I've never caught a...

Get yourself all wet, didn't you, huh?

You come on home with me and you get yourself dried on.

No, I'd better be moving along.

Hey, don't worry about me. My clothes will dry in the sun.

The bank's anyway.

Here you go.

I'll go get you again, Homer.

I'll get you again.

What's all the excitement about?

Nothing much. Just a horse race.

Oh, that so?

What are they racing for? Money or fun?

For a girl.

A girl?

Yeah. Dumb, ain't it?

By the way, your horse about to throw a left front shoe on you.

Oh.

Well, you got a good eye, son. They're in Smithingtown?

Yeah. Down the street at the stable.

Except Smithing ain't likely to get to you until after the race.

Hey, what do you mean they're racing for a girl?

It's for my sister.

Till Parker wins, he gets to take her to the dance Saturday night.

Must be some girl.

What happens if she don't want to go with this Tobe Harker?

Oh, she already agreed on it.

This camp's never back down in the water.

Oh?

Dumb, ain't it?

What, keeping your word?

No, having a horse race over a stupid dance.

Yeah, well, listen. Take this.

Take my horse down to the port and see if they can't get started on it as soon

as the race is over, okay?

Sure, mister.

You tell him I'll be back in an hour or so to pick him up.

Are you okay, cowboy?

You're the idiot that belongs to that horse.

Yes, ma 'am.

The boy... What are you crazy trying to get somebody to kill everybody in this

dang town? You were having a race right through here. Hey, hey, listen.

Listen, I just got here.

Well, the sooner you get out, the better.

I had a Paul rescue as a public menace.

Your Paul?

The sheriff.

Too bad, Hillary.

Looks like I'm the winner.

Well, it ain't my fault you can't stay up on your horse.

Now, you made the bet.

You gonna stand by it?

Well, let's run it again.

Nope. I'm satisfied.

I hope you ain't too bruised up to dance and what all.

Well, I'm warning you, Tobe Hawker, you can damn well forget your what all.

If that's your horse, mister, I reckon I owe you for the favor.

Anytime. Well, now I reckon I owe you two.

Ain't she sweet, little thing?

That isn't our reluctant guide.

You've come to affect our relief, I hope.

Something like that. The army agrees to the terms.

Terms?

Terms!

These savages will find out the meaning of terms.

And the Tsar learns what's happened here.

The nephew of a grand duke of the imperial house of Romanov.

Caged and fettered like...

Like an animal.

Lester, I reckon somebody's got to set you straight.

Out here, who a man is ain't worth a tick in a buffalo's rump.

It's what he is and what he stands for.

Now, if you was to tell these Indians you'd give them your word on it, you

wouldn't escape.

Probably take that rope off you and make you a guest.

A Romano give his word to savages?

Never.

Johanna, please.

Be quiet, woman.

and I reckon you're going to have to get along with what you've got.

If it's any consolation to you, ma 'am, you'll probably be out of here in 48

hours.

48 hours?

I think there's a good chance of it.

Your friend there don't talk himself into a scalping in the meantime.

That man will pay for his arrogance.

That's a promise I swear to on my father's breath.

If there is any fault here, it is certainly not that man.

He was right from the very beginning.

I meant no rudeness, Your Highness.

I mean... I know what you meant and do mean, my dear.

We'll also be discussed at a future time.

Now, right here.

Yeah. Whiskey bar keepin' deep comin'. Yes, sir.

And get us some clean glasses.

What day is it?

It's Tuesday.

Tuesday?

Whatever happened this Sunday and Monday?

Something wrong with you?

Booster McDonough's the name, boy.

Me and Hub, the nugget over there, we've been working up to that gold mine for

slave wages.

But we haven't quit him last Friday. Quit him cold, we did.

So we're primed for a long drunk and some white women.

Maybe you'd like to join us.

Sounds fun, but I'm leaving town.

Something about me you don't like to look at, boy?

No, you look fine to me.

Hear that, hub?

Boy says I look just fine.

Why, boy, you must be blind.

Blind as a bat.

I'm so ugly, I sour milk.

I make women scream and dogs howl. I'm so ugly.

I take pride in my ugly boy.

Now, how do I look to you?

Pretty ugly.

Now, that's more like it. You there, speedy. Put another drinker heading down

when he's drinking.

Don't bother, Charlie.

You won't have time to drink.

You're going with me, McCain.

What's the problem, sir?

I mean, me and the boy here just took a liking to each other.

I don't know you, mister, but if you're looking for a piece of his trouble, you

can have all you want.

Well, I didn't take that much of a liking to him.

Come on, McCain.

Look, Sheriff, we'll talk later.

Now, come on.

if you were like this.

To keep you on your toes, I reckon.

Son of a what?

I don't understand.

I've been a lawman for 30 years.

I learned a lot about men at that time, about the good ones and the bad ones.

You don't seem like a bad one.

But that paper they got out on you says you done some shooting.

About six years ago.

Now, you could hardly have been 18.

That's a little young to start shooting up lawmen, ain't it?

I didn't have much choice.

See, they were Southern sympathizers. I was a Yankee soldier.

It's either shoot or get lynched.

I suppose you tell me your side of it.

It's a long story.

Well, I don't think either of us is going anywhere until I've heard it.

Go ahead.

I woke up in the barn the next morning with the sheriff and three southern

gentlemen standing over me.

Turned out the dead man's horse I was riding was stolen.

So they decided a trial wasn't necessary.

I got my hands on the sheriff's gun and I shot him in the arm.

I just kept moving.

I've been running ever since.

You send me back to Missouri, they're going to hang me.

Yeah, Rick, they will.

I'll lock you up, boy.

I got some friends back there in Missouri. Can maybe check out that story

yours? If you're telling the truth, I wish you no harm. You'll be free to go.

Or you can stay around here, for that matter.

Pa, I need to know what you're going to be wanting.

Well, over there, sugar.

You don't have to tell him to lock me up.

He took it on himself.

Aren't you two getting closer?

We don't rightly know each other.

It seems your daughter here blames me for losing a horse race.

She almost broke my shin.

Wish I had.

I heard about that race, young lady.

I told you, I won't stand for that kind of commotion in town. It ain't ladylike.

You won't get yourself hurt one of these days.

It was just me and Tobe Harker. And you lost.

If it wasn't for him and his damned old horse, I'd still have won that race.

Hold it now. Hold it.

Enough of that kind of language.

What's he in here for anyway?

That's none of your concern.

You get on home now, shall we?

And warm up some of that beef pie.

I'll get along directly.

All right, pal.

Oh, and fix up a plate for the young man here.

With a dish of that apple carpet that you got hid away in the pantry.

Ann, what's wrong with the cafe food?

Since when did we start feeding every saddle bum you lock up in here?

Well, this one here.

He helped me catch Elmer today.

And that, by God, is worth a good supper.

No matter what he might have done.

Just because of that silly little fish, I got to cook supper for a criminal?

No, it's all right. It's all right, Sheriff.

Considering her temper, I don't know if I'm willing to risk her cooking.

Might be poisonous.

Well, let me tell you, mister whoever you are, or wherever you came from, that

my cooking has won ribbons in this dang county. That's enough, Hillary. It's

enough. Now, I told you to go. Now, you go.

I hope you're not looking forward to grandkids, Sheriff.

She's got her mother's blood in her, all right.

She can be a hellcat.

And she's choosy.

None of the boys in this town can shoot her.

And I'll tell you another thing about that little girl.

If she once sets her sights on some young fella, he better be ready to marry

her.

Or head for a high timber.

look pretty good about now.

Hi there.

Don't you say one word to me.

Suit yourself.

I think we ought to say something to one another.

I want to make one thing clear that serving supper to a gunfighter is not

way I usually enjoy my evenings.

Who said I was a gunfighter?

Paul said you gunned down a sheriff.

I didn't gun down anybody.

Wasn't like that at all.

That's what they all say.

Pa said he might even have to send you back to Missouri. And if they do,

probably just string you.

Well, it sure is pleasant talking to you.

Well, you don't even much look like a gunfighter to me.

And what's that supposed to mean?

Oh, you know, gunfighters are supposed to look all squinty -eyed and dangerous.

You look sort of harmless.

Harmless. Well, is it poisonous?

What? Your supper, you said before. You thought my cooking might kill you. Oh,

it's very good.

I apologize for what I said.

Now, you apologize for kicking me.

That'll be the day.

Tell me something.

Do you ever think about behaving like a girl?

Don't you think I can behave like a girl when I want to?

I didn't say you couldn't.

I just don't think he ever gave it much of a try.

Well, that's how much you know.

Except tonight, maybe.

Tonight? What do you mean, tonight, maybe?

Well, you put on that dress for me, didn't you?

Oh, I hope Pa does send you back to Missouri. And when you get there, I hope

they do put a rope around your neck.

Oh, Hillary.

You wouldn't have any more of that cobbler back home, would you?

Impressive. Very.

Yep.

That'd be the way to take care of Satan guy.

Loose the whole regiment among the Sioux, and anything that walks or talks

smells Indian, you don't let it get away breathing.

Welcome, General.

You made good time. We didn't expect you to lie.

Yes, I got your message, Major. I don't believe in coddling the troops, you

know. They ride with me, they ride.

This is Captain McAllister. My adjutant. General, how are you, sir?

Well, Drake, I hope you're a brandy drinker.

Captain, see, there's one case ahead of you, sir.

Oh. Is that the jackass that decided he had to have 200 buffalo heads in 12

days? Yes, sir, it is. He also speaks English very well, sir. Oh, he does.

Well, it wouldn't be all that bad if he could hear me might save a lot of wasted

motion He gets the impression right now.

There are only two of us in authority out here me and got all my However

ever make general find it and spend half the time smiling at idiots

My nephew, Sergei.

He's doing about as well as can be expected, and the lady.

You know, it might be a good idea, though, if you'd go on in with me when I

the general.

Might help to keep his temper down when he hears these terms.

Yes, sir. Thank you.

You what?

I set $10 ,000 as damages against the Sioux, and satang guy accepted.

Well, why not $20 ,000 or $30 ,000?

Because I knew you wouldn't have any trouble coming up with a ten.

How did you figure that?

It wasn't hard. I just figured out how much wages he'd have to bring along for

his men, plus a bonus.

Come up with a round number.

How close was I, General?

Too damn close, McCain.

Now, just who gave you the right to name and approve terms on my behalf?

I didn't approve nothing, General. You're the one that's going to have to

that. I'm just the messenger boy.

I'll tell you one thing. I don't think His Highness here is going to take too

kindly to...

You pow -wowing with the Indians over the money while his nephew sits up there

without his champagne and caviar.

Precisely.

General, do you consider that this trifling sum of money is too great to

the life of Count Sergei and that helpless child with him?

Oh, certainly not, Your Highness. I'm a trifle disturbed at not having been

consulted is all. What we have here is a matter of face with the Indians, not

that I put undue value on facades myself.

But our children of the plains do have to be humored. Children of the plains,

hell. Is that dang guy, sitting bull, yellow hand, children?

We have a surprise coming, General.

Those men are warriors.

You have to mount a campaign against them, you're going to find out they

the finest cavalry in the world.

And this outfit can lick anything that moves.

Gentlemen, this is absolutely fascinating, but can we please get back

nephew, who at this moment...

It's at the mercy of these barbarians of yours.

All right.

I'll recommend to Washington that we concede a payment of $10 ,000.

Major, will you get that on the telegraph immediately after the meeting?

Yes, sir.

With all due credit to Mr. McKay in here with wringing that astonishing

concession from the suit.

Now, where is this release to take place?

Painted Meadows.

It's Painted Meadows.

It's on the edge of the treaty territory, just north of Bear Creek,

And what are the conditions?

There's to be no more men in your party and can stand upright in a teepee.

What the hell kind of a limit is that?

That's very precise, General. It means no more than 12 men.

It's that Tang guy who's going to be there with 10 of his braves.

Now, there's to be no firearms on either side.

I agree. But if there has been agreement, then why doesn't the chief of

savages bring his prisoners here into the fort?

Well, Your Highness...

Seems like our children of the plains don't put too much faith in the words of

the U .S. Army.

Might be a case of too much humor in the past.

Zeb, you're treading on very dangerous ground.

Only ground I want to tread on is painted methods tomorrow.

No more than 12 men, General?

I sure agree.

You want it in writing?

Oh, but now that you mention it, that dang guy does want something in writing.

That's a written statement saying that it was the white men that broke the

treaty. I think he wants something written saying it was the U .S.

that started this whole mess and not the Sioux.

You didn't agree to that.

I keep telling you, General, I ain't the agreeer. You are.

But if I was you, I'd agree to it. I don't think you've got much choice.

Now, listen to me, McCann, and hear me good.

As far as I'm concerned, this whole thing started because you wouldn't act

guide for the Royal Hunting Party. From what I hear, if you'd been there in the

first place, the Sioux wouldn't have kicked up much of a fuss.

So from this point on... If anything goes wrong, and that means anything,

going to be your hide. Understand?

You agree to the terms?

Yes, I agree.

And I always keep my word. Now, you bear that in mind, pertaining to your hide.

Agreement contingent on word from Washington, sir.

Here's a formality that won't be observed, Major. Thank you. We don't

luxury of Zubnike and free -raying it.

Now, you will be our guest, won't you, while great minds ponder small matters

back east?

I told Satang guy I'm going to be right here till the agreement's reached.

Excellent.

Now, gentlemen, let us fervently hope that our Red Brothers don't get nervous

while we're all waiting.

Indians don't get nervous, General.

They've been taught the meaning of the word wait.

Excuse me, ma 'am.

But, uh, we used the last drop of our water yesterday noon.

We were wondering if we could possibly impose upon you two. Of course.

The well's right over there.

And why don't you both come inside out of the heat?

Thank you kindly, ma 'am, but if you don't mind, we'll just fill up and be on

our way.

You're welcome to stay here until you're rested.

Tell her, Jeremiah.

We'd like nothing better than to accept, ma 'am.

But I think you should know we've been refused water at four homesteads in the

past 50 miles.

Refused water?

Yes, ma 'am.

We're Mormons.

Is it like leprosy, then?

I beg your pardon, ma 'am.

I've always believed that a man's religious persuasion is his own

You and your lady are welcome here.

Jeremiah. Of course, Maggie.

We thank you, ma 'am, from the bottom of our hearts.

My name is Jeremiah Taylor.

This is my wife, Maggie.

Well, Jeremiah and Maggie Taylor, you're at the McCann homestead.

I'm Molly Culhane. Now, come on inside, both of you. Mrs. Culhane, if you don't

mind, I'd like to water the animals first. Oh, of course.

Thank you.

I'll get this done if you don't help some.

Besides, I'd rather be out here any day than in this house washing dishes or

scrubbing floors.

Well, if you don't mind, I'd prefer doing neither of them.

I swear I don't think anything changes anymore.

Not a difference between one day and the next.

Aunt Molly promised us a trip to Chicago someday. Someday. Everything is

someday.

Planning to take all day on this little chore, girls?

Listen, Josh McCahan, this is your chore we're doing. And if you think that I...

Mrs. Culhane said I might use the well.

Well, sure.

I'll give you a hand.

Thank you.

Ladies.

Mr. Taylor stopped to water their animals.

And they're going to stay for supper.

Excuse me.

She so wants to be a lady, but it's very isolated here.

I've only been here a short time myself, but I gather that there aren't very

many visitors.

I understand.

I love the sound of young people around the home.

My name is Hale Burton.

What's yours?

Unless we have some business, my name shouldn't be important to you.

Well, I heard you were asking around about some Mormons who are supposed to

coming through here.

That's so.

Mr.

Don't make sport of me.

Like most decent people, I hate Mormons. Worse than I hate liars, cowards, and

thieves. If I had my way...

I'd hang every last one of them.

Now, if I was a Mormon, that might make this meeting a little more interesting.

I'm not.

I never figured you were.

But if you're after Mormons, I want to know about it.

I work alone.

Mister, I own this town.

And most of the land around it for a day's ride in every direction.

Now, if you knew where there were Mormons on my land and you were keeping

from me...

I wouldn't take kindly to that.

I'll remember that.

Now, if you don't mind, I not only work alone, I drink alone.

Get the boys.

Every foot of this land searched, every box canyon, every draw, every waterhole,

every ranch and homestead.

Everything within 50 miles of this town.

You see

dark

pictures.

To meet with the whites.

How many chiefs have sat in white councils and their women have wept for

I have given my word.

How little I have seen of him.

I must find time to be with my son.

He must hear my voice more.

Even before he understands my words.

He knows your voice now.

There are nights here when he is awake.

And he hears your voice from the council fire.

His eyes turn in that direction and he smiles.

It is good when the young listen to the old.

It is good they learn respect for the old voices.

When the children of the Sioux are men, how they live will be decided by the

wisdom they have taken from the old.

Our nation is what we pass on to our children.

You must return to me.

I will always return to you.

Take your filthy hands off me!

Let go!

You insolent dogs!

You're getting your ransom!

I want my hands freed.

Mister, I've had about enough out of you. Are you going to get on that horse

behave yourself, or am I going to have these braves tie you under its belly?

You threaten me?

I'm telling you, you're going to ride on top or underneath.

With the lady along, it's an overnight trip.

Please, Your Highness, do as he says.

None of this will be forgotten.

McCain.

Mister, you can be sure nobody's going to forget your visit to these parts.

Thank you.