Original subtitles

Previously on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.

Black Moon is willing to surrender himself in exchange for the Army's

that all of his braves will receive safe passage to freedom in the Northern

Cheyenne Territory.

The pact must also include a complete and full pardon of my husband.

Will they be safe?

Mr. Smith, we're going to ride up north with you. I'd appreciate your help.

I'm so happy for you, Cloud Dad.

You'll stay in my heart.

And you will stay in mine.

Up a little bit higher.

Right there. That's good.

It's going to look real good, Brian.

Hey.

I want to thank you all for helping me with these decorations.

It's our pleasure, Reverend.

Look at that.

The army's leaving.

It's about time.

How's Colleen's train? I've got to go.

Hey, Daniel, will you help us decorate the homestead later on?

Sure thing, Brian.

Get it fixed up real nice when your ma and pa come home.

Think they'll get home in time for Christmas?

Oh, you can bet on it.

Tell Colleen I'll see you later.

Okay.

Daniel.

Telegram just come for you.

Thank you, Horace. Well, uh, I gotta go.

Train's coming.

Trouble?

No, no, it's, uh... Just Christmas wishes from an old friend.

Look what I found.

A wiffle tip.

Merry Christmas.

Not yet.

That's when we get home.

Fresh water.

Thanks, Clyde Anthony.

This isn't a goodbye.

It's good that you're staying up here with your people free and safe in your

land.

It is good.

And it is good you get to go home to your family.

Well, folks, this is where our paths diverge.

You're not coming back to Colorado Springs with us? I figured since I'm so

close, I'd ride on into Yellowstone.

visit superintendent langford how's he handling the job it's an arduous

undertaking at best preserving the wilderness is a foreign notion to most

the department of the interior could sure use some help perhaps i could

you in reconsidering that job i offered you last year i don't want to move my

family you wouldn't have to the national parks movement is gaining a foothold

all across the west and we need scouts to guide these politicians down into

these realms and show them the remarkable natural attractions that this

possesses. Then they can go back to Washington and vote to preserve them.

I really don't want to leave my family.

Well, you'd only have to for short periods of time. A month, maybe.

I just spent half a year away from home.

I appreciate the offer, really, I do.

It's five days before Christmas.

The only thing on my mind right now is getting back home to my family.

Very few people realize just how important this kind of work is. And I'm

you'll agree there's nobody better suited to the job.

Will you at least consider it?

Ready?

Take care.

decision I'll think on it

Stop up here to see if the horses want a drink.

Best to keep pushing on as long as this good weather holds.

It'd be wonderful being back together again for Christmas.

Hopefully we'll be back in time to buy it some presents.

The only present I want is to be home with my family.

Soon our lives will be back to normal.

Look for some work.

Maybe even finish Preston's homestead.

Zoe, look.

There's a time millions of buffaloes roam these plains.

Oh, it's jiggling.

Oh, boy.

It's good.

I didn't want this being the only place in town without the Christmas spirit.

Right here.

Listen, uh, if you don't have any plans, we'd like you to come out to the

homestead and celebrate Christmas with us.

Well, I can't refuse that.

Sure beats spending the holidays in the boarding house.

Well, how do you plan on staying there?

When you've got all that land out there, you know.

Ever think about building a homestead on it?

Nearly every day.

Why don't you?

I don't know.

Ever since I was a kid, I always moved around a lot.

Never could seem to settle down in one place for very long.

I always thought I'd outgrown it, but... I guess I haven't.

Goldmine?

Yeah, they just struck a vein.

Want me to come out and run the operation?

Your leader?

Well, I haven't decided yet, but... The fact is, Matthew, Sully's been pardoned

and the Indian problem's all settled. I figure my job here is done.

What about your job as sheriff? Well, I haven't said I accepted the job.

Yeah, and I'm just considering it. That's all.

There's got to be some way to get him out of town.

I mean, get everybody to vote him out of office. Why? Because he arrested you?

Because he's a lousy sheriff is why.

If you ask me, I think he's doing a good job.

Sounds a lot safer.

Folks seem to be taking to him.

Well, he's very kind.

Hold it right there.

I'll shoot you dead. I surely will.

Easy, boy. Stay.

Take it easy.

You'll be no trouble.

You speak English?

Of course I do.

Well, I thought... I thought you were an Indian.

Why don't you just put that thing down before someone gets hurt?

Don't you worry about him.

You all trouble?

Yeah. Come on.

Let's go, boy.

Come on.

I'm Sully.

And this here's my wife, Michaela.

Hello.

Chester Barnes.

My wife, Hallie.

How do you do?

You folks lost?

No, sir. We're headed for a town called New Hope.

Never heard of it.

No, sir, you haven't.

Well, not yet, anyway.

It's a small settlement of 13 families, including our parents.

It's just beyond that ridge there.

I don't think there's a settlement over there.

Oh, sure there is.

Come on, I'll show you.

I got a map over here.

Are you all right?

It's just a cough.

Well, you look feverish.

I'm a doctor. Perhaps I can help.

I have some medical supplies in my saddlebag.

I'll be right back.

All right. You see, we're right here, and the settlement is right

there. So I figure that's about half a day's ride, don't you think?

Yep. If that's what we were, our only problem is we're not.

What?

Well, where are we?

We're, uh... right about there.

She wants to call a town meet.

Why? To reinstate the no guns in town law.

Good luck.

Most of the town council's standing right here and we ain't gonna let that

happen. I don't know.

You know how Dorothy can get.

Daniel will probably agree with her.

If he's got the folks in town going along with him. You ain't gonna change

mind. I gotta do what the people want if I plan on staying mayor.

Well, they ain't gonna come to that, Jake.

So I'm gonna go tell the sheriff right now that nobody is laying down their

guns.

You're concerned, Mr. Dorothy, I do.

I'm afraid I have to disagree with you on this.

I believe that folks ought to have the right to carry guns in town as long as

they do it responsibly.

Responsibly?

You know, for protection, self -defense.

I don't believe that the law -abiding citizens ought to be punished right

alongside of the troublemakers.

I see your point, Daniel.

Well, I guess we won't need that town meeting after all.

How are you feeling?

Better. A little sleepy.

Oh, that's from the laudanum I gave you.

It'll help quiet your cough.

Here, drink this tea.

It's cold.

It'll help reduce your fever.

Our family went ahead four months ago.

I wanted to stay and earn some more money before we followed.

Then we took the train to Denver.

That's where we got the mule and the horses.

We started out on our own about two days ago.

A lot of work you did, Chester.

Well, I was a tailor in Chicago, but I knew hope I'm going to be a farmer with

the others in the settlement.

Sodbusters, they call us.

She's feeling better.

Well, I guess we better move along then. We got a lot of ground to cover.

Are you able to ride?

You think so?

Just keep heading due northeast.

And check your compass.

Yes, sir.

And don't work this mule too hard. You don't want her dropping dead on you.

Do you think we'll make it by Christmas?

Oh, sure. As long as you follow this map carefully, it should be about a two

-day ride from here.

Perhaps we can help you find the way.

We'll just...

Ride with you until we go over to the next ridge.

Oh, that won't be necessary. We'll be fine.

Oh, it's no trouble at all, really.

She's right.

We'll take you over to the next valley. It should be a pretty easy ride from

there.

Thank you.

Come on.

We'll make it back in time for Christmas, won't we?

We should, as long as we don't run into any problems.

Don't think I'll ever get accustomed to sleeping on the ground.

That comes with time.

You look like you've been around here for a long time.

Yep. And you've no doubt had encounters with Indians.

Yep. I hear tell they're quite well armed.

Really give an army a run for their money.

Indians ain't the ones looking for a fight.

You treat them with respect, and they give right back to you.

This means, friend, if you do that, you're off to a good start.

This? No, no, no. It's too close to your face. This means blood.

Just remember, you won't have to fight them if you treat them properly.

Can you show me some more?

Sure. This means peace.

Good.

Hey.

Daniel.

What you doing?

you were going out to the McFarland place.

I did.

By the time I got out there, Logan and Muriel had already kissed and made up.

She didn't want me to arrest them anymore.

Making something?

Uh, yeah.

We're doing some chores for Robert E. While he and Miss Grace are in New

Orleans.

That's mighty nice of you.

Daniel, can I talk to you?

Sure.

Did you give any more thought to that telegram you got from your friend?

Yeah, I did, but I'm, uh... I'm gonna wait till Shelly and McKayla get home.

Talk about it with them.

Good.

Uh, listen, just in case you're wondering, folks around here, they don't

you to go.

Neither do we.

Well, thank you.

Matthew, thank you.

What are you looking for?

Somewhere to camp.

What's wrong with here?

Look at the ground.

What do you see?

Rocks, dirt, sand.

It's a wash.

Storm kicks up, we get flooded out.

It's best to camp upslope.

Air is warmer, ground is drier.

This ought to do fine right here.

We'll be able to find a settlement from here without any trouble.

Right over those hills. Should be a day's ride at the most.

Right over those hills.

No.

Those hills right there.

All right.

It's going to be dark soon.

Not much longer. We're going to be with our families celebrating Christmas.

Get some cough medicine.

You're going to unload that mule soon. It'll be dark.

I'll get to it. Don't worry.

All I want is a nice warm bed. Get out of this cold.

You will very soon.

Don't worry. When we get to that settlement, I'm going to build us a

roaring fireplaces in every room.

That day that you married me, I told you I'd always take care of you.

And I will.

I surely will.

How long have you been married?

Two years this August.

You? It'll be three years this May.

Any children?

Four.

Four?

Three are adopted.

I bet you miss them. Oh, terribly.

Katie, our youngest is only a year and a half.

We're going to have seven children.

Seven? Seven?

Or six.

Or five.

I just love children.

Especially at Christmas.

Sounded close.

He's at least four miles away.

Wolves travel in packs.

Am I right?

Yes, you are.

Except that's a coyote.

That's a nighthawk.

Setting out to get his prey.

Prey?

Don't worry, Chester.

They're too big to carry off.

You hear many things out in the wild.

And once you learn what they are, they're not as frightening.

A yell or a scream could just be a bird or a squirrel.

That was no squirrel.

Sully? Stay, boy. Is it a bear?

Easy, Chester.

That's no bear.

It's a cougar.

He's not looking for trouble.

How do you know that?

Because his tail's not moving and his ears are straight up and up, in fact.

He's going to attack us. Yeah, he's just curious.

The mule!

Stop him!

I'll get the horse.

Chester! Are you alright?

Where's the mule?

He's gone.

Food, our belongings.

And money.

I should have unpacked him.

Why didn't I unpack him?

Now what do we do?

Perfect. Now let's get it decorated.

First thing tomorrow morning, we'll go out and get a nice big tree for the

homestead. Maybe Ma and Pa will be back to go with us.

Mayor Slicker, will you not help with the decoration?

Well, I usually just supervise, but... I don't make any money.

Oh, I don't know. I think the sheriff's doing just fine.

Yes, he is.

He's a very kind man.

You better forget everything.

He's an upstanding citizen.

People like that, don't they?

Upstanding citizen.

You don't have to ride with us.

You know, I'm sure that we can find the settlement on our own.

You have no map or compass.

Or food.

We just want to make certain that you get home safely.

I sure would hate to see you miss Christmas with your children.

We still got three days. We'll make it. Don't you worry.

Well, I appreciate your generosity.

I surely do.

What is it?

It's a sword fern.

They grow all over the place.

Indians eat the sprouts when they're on hunts.

Go on, try.

Not bad.

It's not meat and potatoes, but it'll do in an emergency.

Wait a minute.

I think we're in luck here.

Indians aren't the only ones who eat ferns. These are our whitetail deer

Fresh.

Might not be able to promise you potatoes.

I think we'll be able to get ourselves some meat.

Get your rifle.

Tracks it off this way.

Tracks it off this way.

We'll go downwind.

Go ahead and make camp here.

Fried chicken.

It's my favorite. Thank you.

Good night

Evening

sheriff even mind if I come in There uh

something I can do for you miss Sadie

I've been admiring the way you do your job.

Just thought I'd come by to get to know you better.

Well, thank you.

Can I get you something? Maybe coffee?

Sure.

You like the interior?

Yeah, it's a good job for the most part.

So dangerous.

Dealing with criminals and all.

Oh, I don't know.

As long as you keep them locked up in a cell, you're pretty safe.

You mean like this?

What are you doing?

I'm tanning the hide.

Make a blanket or a coat.

What's that you're rubbing on it?

Some mixture of liver, brains.

Helps to preserve and soften the hide.

You don't let anything go to waste, do you?

There's no reason to.

Indians live their whole lives around the buffalo.

They use the meat for food, the hides for clothing and blankets, and the bones

for tools.

The tails for fleshwaters.

White hunters, though, they kill them just for their hides.

Sometimes their tongues.

They leave the rest to rot in the sun.

I've never seen a buffalo.

I was ten when my pa dropped dead in the field.

16 when my mom caught the influenza.

Been on my own ever since.

How long you been working for Hank?

I don't know.

Last count of time.

Years now.

But one of these days, I'm gonna get out of here.

See the world.

Been my dream ever since I was a kid.

Dreams are good.

See, all my life I've been traveling around, seeing the world, dreaming of

finding some place to call home.

But you do have home.

Here.

Queen Dorothy. Oh!

What are you doing?

You might like to take a look in the jail.

Jake. Jake.

Morales.

You've got to come see this, too.

Ma 'am, you don't want to miss this.

Hank, what are you talking about?

Why don't you go on inside and take a look for yourself?

Good morning, everybody.

Miss Dorothy, would you mind opening this door?

Please. That's it, right there.

What's going on?

I'd like to know.

What's going on here is I'm quitting.

What? You heard me.

I'm through with you using me for your dirty little tricks.

I'm leaving on the next train out.

You can't leave.

You're the best girl I got.

I can do whatever I want.

Sheriff loaned me train fare out of here.

He's a kind man.

She lied.

Sure thing, Brian.

Think you got room for me back there?

Yeah.

Daniel, you got no right.

Hold on, Hank. I didn't talk her into anything. She made that decision on her

own. I am tired of you getting in my way.

Well, then stop crossing my path.

I'm not going to fight with you, Hank.

Wouldn't settle nothing. Got no choice.

Come on, Hank.

Tomorrow's Christmas Eve.

Stay out of this, Jake.

Let's go.

Not fighting with you, Hank.

Take it easy.

You all right?

Yeah, I'm fine. I'm fine.

We're not going to save these ornaments.

Where's everybody?

Well, they were here, all right.

We must have moved the settlement to where?

To water.

The river's in the next valley. They must have got tired of hauling the water

all the way back here.

All right.

We can make it there by nightfall. Let's go.

No.

No more.

I mean, who knows whether they're in the next valley or the valley after that.

We're staying right here.

Or better yet, we'll ride with you to Colorado Springs.

Take the train back home from there.

Home?

To where?

You sold everything you had, Chester.

And what have I got to show for it? No money? No belongings?

You've got a wife who loves you.

You've got a family waiting to celebrate Christmas with you.

You've come a long way, Chester. Don't give up now.

We're going to the next valley.

You can stay here or you can come with us.

But what about your family?

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve.

We're going to have to ride all night, but we'll make it.

Let's get you home first.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Jensen. What are you doing here?

Is this not the time of year you call Christmas?

Yes.

Yes, but I don't... And is Christmas not the time to be with those you love?

Yes.

That's the settlement, isn't it?

Yes, yes it is. But look, rocks and sand.

They're camped right in the middle of a wash.

If that dorm kicks up, they'll get flooded out.

Best to move the settlement up slow.

We better get going.

Wait, won't you come and meet her family?

As much as we'd like to, we've got our own camp to get back to.

Here's some laudanum and some cough syrup.

Thank you.

I feel better already.

Thank you.

Gonna do fine.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

You ready?

More than ready.

Let's go.

How's that? That's good.

Forget it.

Courtney.

Everyone. Hi.

Oh, what a beautiful tree.

We're waiting till Ma and Pa get home to decorate it.

You mean they're not here?

Claudette, what are you doing back?

I cannot stay away.

But I do not understand.

If only Michaela lived before me, I did not see them on the trail.

But maybe they took another trail.

But why?

Well, no one... McHale and Sully, they probably had a good reason.

Yes, I'm sure there was good reason.

Come on, let's finish putting the tree up.

Stop and sleep for a little bit?

No, no, I'm fine.

What?

I'm so proud of you.

The way you helped that couple.

Teaching them how to survive in the wilderness without destroying it.

Same way you taught me.

The same way you could teach others.

Sully.

The job Will and Smith offered you.

He was right. I can't think of anyone better suited for it.

I was wanted by the law, Michaela.

I hated every minute I was away from home.

Perhaps it's because you didn't know if you'd ever be able to come back.

But now you're free and you can come and go whenever you like.

Sully, of course we want you to be with us as much as possible, but it's also

important to protect the land from destruction.

You can do both.

First thing after Christmas, I'll send them a telegram telling them I'm

accepting the job.

Come on, it's Christmas Eve.

We've got a lot of riding to do.

There's still no sign of Sally and Michaela.

I wonder where they could be.

I will check the other valleys to see if they took another trail. I should ride

with you. No.

The two of you should stay here for the sake of the children.

I can help you check the other trails. If we both leave, the children will know

we are worried.

And then they will worry.

Be careful.

I'll find them.

Yes, indeed, that was a wonderful sermon, Reverend. Thank you, Lauren.

You're welcome.

Well, here we are.

Folks,

gather around.

Gather around, everybody.

Matthew? Yep.

Now, before we begin any Christmas carols, I'd just like to take a moment

behalf of the entire town.

to present a very special Christmas gift to our newest citizen, Daniel Simon.

Merry Christmas, Daniel.

Now,

we

all know that Daniel came to Colorado Springs to help out a friend, and that

the main reason that he became our sheriff.

But now, word has it that he might be leaving.

Now, Daniel, you took this job to help Sully, but will you keep it for us?

I told you that I wanted you to stay.

I want to thank you all for this gift.

And, uh...

Or give me a place I can finally call home.

Well, it certainly is a beautiful tree.

Yes, it is.

It just doesn't feel like Christmas without Grace singing.

I'm sure they're fine.

Brian, I'll be home soon. Don't you worry.

Brian, why don't you read a Christmas carol for us?

Sort of a tradition. We read it every Christmas Eve.

Ma usually reads it, though.

Yeah, I know, but this year you can read it.

Charlie was dead to begin with.

There is no doubt whatever about that.

The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the

undertaker, and the chief mourner.

Scrooge signed it, and Scrooge's name was good upon change for anything he

to put his hand to.

Running to the window, he opened it, put out his head.

No fog.

No mist.

Clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold.

Cold piping for the blood to dance to.

Golden sunlight, heavenly sky.

Sweet fresh air, merry bells.

Oh, glorious, glorious.

What's today, cried Scrooge, calling downward to a boy's Sunday clothes.

Perhaps it loitered in to look about him.

returned the boy with all his mind of wonder.

What today, my fine fellow, said Scrooge.

Today, replied the boy, why, it's Christmas Day.

Ma! Ma!

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

welcome back thanks it's good to be home again