Original subtitles

THE OLD RANGER: And now,Death Valley Days.

♪♪ [ trumpet ]

Hyah! Yah!

Yah! Yah!

Howdy, folks. I'’m the Old Ranger,

and I have another interesting true story for you

about the historic Death Valley country.

I have here a newspaper clipping

which quotes the Smithsonian Institute at Washington D.C.

as confirming the theory that the earliest ancestors of the camel

roamed what is now North America.

And since the camel originated right here,

I'’m sure you'll be interested in the story

of the great American camel experiment of 100 years ago.

I call the story...

The two men who rode into this valley in 1847

knew nothing about camels having roamed in this region

40 million years ago.

They were on an exploring trip.

The first white men ever to set foot in this place

which a party of '’49ers would later name

"Death Valley."

They are Edward Fitzgerald Beale,

lieutenant in the United States Navy, presently on land duty,

and the famous scout, Kit Carson.

They'’re interested not in the past but the future,

seeking new routes westward.

Yet oddly enough, it is camels they'’re discussing.

You know that book by Abbé Huc I was reading out loud to you last night, Kit?

You ever travel without a book in your pack, Ned?

[ chuckles ] Not if I can help it.

It gave me an idea, though.

If camels are so useful on the deserts of China and Tibet,

why couldn'’t they be equally useful here in our American desert?

They'’d sure scare the blue blazes out of the Injun. [ chuckles ]

They'’d outrun the Indian ponies, too,

which is more than our cavalry can do.

By George, the next time I go to Washington,

I'’m gonna put the idea up to Jefferson Davis.

Jefferson Davis? Who'’s he?

He'’s head of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs

and vitally interested in opening up the West.

Go to it.

You kind of skeptical about the idea of a camel corps?

No. I just never seen a camel, that'’s all.

Except in pictures.

And you will, though.

I predict you'’ll see them on our American desert

as part of the army transport system,

and within the next few years.

It wasn'’t until four years later, though, in 1851,

that I got the chance to present my idea to Jeff Davis.

Do you know, Mr. Davis, how much a pack camel can carry?

Over a thousand pounds.

Do you know how far a riding camel can travel?

Ninety miles a day. They require almost no water

and can live for weeks on their own humps.

You'’ve done a lot of reading on the subject, Lieutenant.

Everything I could lay my hands on for the past four years.

What I know about the Southwest hasn'’t come out of books, though.

I'’ve lived that.I'’ll say you have.

I reckon there'’s no man in this country, unless it'’s Kit Carson,

knows the Southwest better.

The more I travel it, the more convinced I am

that camels are the answer.

Look at the distance between these army posts.

Vast, arid stretches overrun with hostile Indians.

How are you going to patrol them?

How are you going to provide communication, transport supplies,

protect the immigrants going to the gold fields?

With camels.You really mean it?

I certainly think it'’s worth a try.

Mr. Davis!

I'’ll present the matter to Congress at the earliest opportunity.

Thank you, sir. Thank you.

Three times Jefferson Davis put the camel project up to Congress,

and each time they rejected it.

It was frustrating,

especially as I had been months working out a plan

to open a road across the Southwest with the camels

as soon as we got them over here.

I decided to go east to my home in Chester, Pennsylvania,

where my wife, Mary, was waiting.

Ned, I feel sure that Jeff Davis will push it through this time,

now that he'’s secretary of war.

Dear Mary.

Always the loyal helpmate.

Well, I know one Congressman who'’ll vote for it--

my father.[ chuckles ]

If there'’s one thing in life I find it hard to bear, it'’s waiting for action.

I know you do, dear. But cousin David Porter

has promised to let us know-- [ knock on door ]

There he is, I hope.

David, come in.

Ned. Cousin Mary.

How nice to see you.

David, any news?

The news is good from your standpoint, Ned.

You mean Jeff Davis put it over?

He did.Wonderful!

He got an appropriation and is naming a commission

to proceed to the Near East to purchase camels.

Good. Good. That'’s great.

Oh, you see, Ned? They do appreciate your ideas.

Yeah. There'’s only one thing wrong with the picture:

I'’m to head the commission.Who could head it any better?

Well, after all, you lived in Constantinople as a boy

when Uncle Porter was consul there.

Have you ever smelled a camel?

Think of spending weeks aboard ship with 80 of them.

But it'’ll be fun to visit some of those ports again, won'’t it?

When are you sailing?In a matter of weeks.

As soon as we can convert the naval storeship Supply

into a floating caravansary.

How long will it take before you get the camels over here?

Several months. August, perhaps.

The plan is to take them to Texas by water.

We'’ll land them there.And then what?

That'’s where your husband takes over, my dear.

Soon as I get the camels off of my ship,

the whole experiment is up to Lieutenant Edward Fitzgerald Beale--

"Ned" to you.[ chuckles ]

He dreamed up this whole thing. He'’ll have to see it through.

And I will too.

I'’ll prove that the American desert

and the army need this camel corps.

You'’ll both see it through. [ chuckles ]

Well, I think it'’s simply wonderful

the part you two are going to play in opening up the West.

But, of course, I didn'’t dream what the problems would be.

Cousin David'’s letters were a revelation.

The effort to get strong, healthy, young camels.

The struggle to get Arab cameleers

who would agree to stay in the United States.

Difficulties on the ship with those poor beasts

latched to the decks in the storms.

And, of course, man-like,

they never thought of the baby camels

that would be born at sea,

or how to take care of them.

And my poor Ned,

waiting there in Texas in the August heat

to take over the whole responsibility

of acclimatizing those strange beasts

in a strange land.

I'’ll never forget my first sight of a camel.

I could tell he was sneering at me.

[ grunting ]

The first night ashore, we put the camels in a corral fenced with cactus.

By morning, they had eaten their way out, spines and all.

I think it'’s wonderful that camels will eat cactus.

It goes to prove they can subsist on anything.

You'’re gonna do all right here in our desert, old fella.

Have they got names?Him Sayyid.

That mean gentleman."Gentleman." [ chuckles ]

While we'’re performing introduction,

let me introduce you to Hadji Ali from Smyrna.

We call him "Hi Jolly." How do you do?

Effendi.Who offend-y who?

"Effendi" is a term of address.

Let me introduce you to the other boys.

George Caralambo.

Mustafa Hazam.

Ali Suleman.[ mutters ]

These two are the best saddle-makers in all of Turkey.

You like ride?

Well, I-- Him fast trotter.

Oh, I don'’t doubt it. But I think I'’ll wait till he'’s got his land legs first.

Thanks.Oh, nonsense. The beast needs his exercise.

Climb aboard.

[ growling ]

[ bells jingling ]

Makes me seasick just to look at him.

You'’ll get used to that motion by the time you reach California, Sergeant.

What do you mean, sir?

As soon as the camels have recovered from their voyage,

Lieutenant Beale is planning to try them out on a wagon road survey

clear to California.The heck, you say!

I don'’t say. Secretary of War says.

Hi Jolly glad go California. Find gold.

"And I hope the day will come when the three of us together

will have a home in California."

Then I can go on the camel crew with Papa?

Oh, I'’m afraid not, son. You'’re just a baby yet.

I can ride a baby camel.

[ chuckling ]

Anyway, I wish I could see a camel.

Well, maybe you'’ll see and ride one someday.

I think camels are cute.

Well designed for the desert, anyway.

Do you know how many stomachs they have?

How many?Four.

Four? Why?

Well, one of them is used to store water in.

Gee, think of having four stomachaches.

[ laughing ]

Why do some camels have two humps,

and the others have one hump?

Oh, Papa will answer all of your questions when the expedition is over.

When will it be over?Oh, I wish I knew.

I miss him.I miss Papa too.

Well, we'’ll be hearing from him, darling.

He'’s keeping a diary every mile

from Fort Defiance, New Mexico, to Fort Tejon, California.

He'’s going to bring it back and read it to us.

Now, won'’t that be fun?

Not as much fun as riding on a camel.

[ laughing ]

[ bells jingling ]

Blast you! Why'’d I ever join the army anyway?

[ grunting ]

[ bells continue jingling ]

BEALE: We number 48 men, 12 wagons,

and 120 animals.

Each camel is loaded with 700 pounds of forage

for the horses and mules.

The camels themselves

browse on anything they find along the way.

They require almost no sleep.

[ bellowing ]

[ bellowing intensifies ]Hey! Hey!

[ bellowing continues ]

Hey!

Hey!

[ animal howling, distant ]

BEALE: Fire'’s getting low.

I'’ll gather some old greasewood.

[ howling continues ]

[ tail rattling ]Rattlesnake!

[ animal howling ]

He bite ya?

No.

Lucky.

Nice shooting, sir.

Thanks.

BEALE: The country is growing rougher

and more waterless.

The camels alone seem unworried.

They are living up to all my expectations.

The only problem they create is a human one.

[ whip cracking ]

[ camel bellowing ]Take that, you humpbacked heathen!

And that!

Stop it!

I said, stop it!

What do you mean treating a camel like that?He tried to bite me.

Serves you right, the way you handle him.

Can'’t you learn?I hate the critters.

Give me a mule anytime.A mule?

One camel is worth four mules.

The answer is you'’re afraid of 'em.

You take it out in abuse.

You'’re harsh, stupid, totally unfit.

From now on, you leave the camels to the native boys.

That suits me fine... sir!

That'’s all right, fella. Easy now. Easy.

BEALE: Today, our camp was visited

by Mohave Indians

with melons for sale.

[ sniffing ]

How much?

One dollar, United States.

One dollar? How many?One.

A dollar apiece? Well, that'’s highway robbery.

Melon good, juicy.

Not worth a dollar.One dollar!

Doggone. They know our tongues are hanging out.

First fresh fruit we'’ve seen in weeks.

[ sniffs ]

Now, look, Chief, let'’s be reasonable.

We like you. You like us.

Let'’s be friends. Let'’s talk this over.

CHIEF: One dollar, take or leave.[ bells jingling ]

Fifty cents.

One dollar.Sixty cents.

CHIEF: One dollar. MAN: Seventy-five cents.

One dollar, take or leave.[ shouting ]

[ bellowing ]

[ man shouts in native language ]

[ laughter ]

Stacy, you deserve the Medal of Honor.[ laughter ]

Thank you, sir, but I'’ll settle for a couple of cantaloupes.

[ laughter, chatter ]

Hey-o!

Well, this is the one place I'’ve been dreading.

Well, the current doesn'’t look too swift.

For animals who can swim.

Oh, it'’s said that camels can'’t.

Is it true that camels can'’t swim?

I don'’t know. We'’re about to find out.

Well, if they can'’t, we'’ll get 'em across by raft.

Then the expedition will have failed.

Hi Jolly, bring up your camel.

[ camel grunting ]

And bring up one of those saddle horses.

Tie a rope to that camel'’s lead line.

Okay, now lead him into the river with your horse.

[ bells jingling ]

[ grunting ]

[ bellows ] [ water splashing ]

It'’s almost reached its depth.

He'’s swimming! Look at him strike out!

MAN: He'’s holding his own against the current,

strong as anything!

[ men shouting ]

[ shouting continues ]

[ cheering ]

[ laughter ]

Hi Jolly,

string '’em together, each to the saddle of another.

[ grunting ]

[ bellows ] [ water splashing ]

[ bellows ] [ water splashing ]

[ growling ]

MAN: Hey!

Hey!

[ growling continues ]

[ bells jingling ]

All right, boys. Keep '’em moving.

Keep '’em rolling. We'’re almost there.

Let'’s go!

[ jingling continues ]

[ camels grunting ]

Goldarnedest critters I ever seen.

Any one of '’em is worth ten army mules.

You changed your mind about those camels, Sergeant?

Yep. Oh, uh, yes, sir.[ chuckles ]

Please, this is California?

Sure.Where is gold?

You didn'’t expect to find gold in an army post, did you?

The fellers tell me there'’s some diggings up north of here.

A place called Whiskey Flat.

Whiskey?Yeah. Whiskey.

Please.Oh, I forgot.

You Moslems don'’t indulge, do you?

Anyhow, I hear Whiskey Flat is a roaring gold camp.

How far?Maybe 50 miles.

One night on camel.

Oh-ho, so that'’s what you'’re up to.

You'’d better not let the lieutenant catch you.

BEALE: That you, Hi Jolly?

Where you going?Whiskey Flat, effendi.

Whiskey Flat?Find gold.

Our job'’s only half done.

We'’ve got to see how the camels make out in the snows of winter.

Hi Jolly come to California to find gold.

All right. You'’re free to go to the gold fields if you want to.

You'’re not bound by contract, and I can'’t stop you.

Who'’ll take care of camels?

Our own soldiers if you cameleers quit.

I stay with camels.

Gold can wait.

After blazing a trail across three states with the camel train,

I wrote my official report to Washington.

I was truthfully able to say,

"The camels have proved equal to every test we put them to,

"performed tasks which no other animal could possibly have endured.

"I look forward, hopefully,

"to the time when these noble brutes

would be in general use in all parts of our country."

I was appointed Superintendent of Indian Affairs for California,

and moved my wife and son to Rancho Tejon, near the fort.

Then came war.

[ gunfire continues ]

Any mail?Not yet.

[ scoffs ] Why does it take so long to get an answer from Washington?

I still find it hard to think of Jeff Davis as an enemy.

President of the Confederacy!

You'’re really egging to go, aren'’t you, Ned?

You read my letter to President Lincoln.

I meant every word of it.

Everything I have in this world I owe to my country.

My one wish now is to offer my life for the flag.

[ knock on door ]Come in.

Hi Jolly. You'’ve brought mail.

Yes, effendi.

Excuse, please.Here it is.

An answer from the White House.Oh!

The president declines my offer.Ned...

He believes I can do more good for our cause right here in California,

where the danger of secession is so great.

He may be right, Ned.

But I'’ve waited so long for active service!

But if you can help save California for the Union...

You have great influence here.

I'’ll do my best.

Effendi?

Yes? What is it?

Hi Jolly say good-bye.

So you'’re going to the gold fields at last?

No, effendi.

I join American Army.What?

They use me. Carry dispatch cross desert.

Wear uniform.[ chuckles ]

You'’re a very lucky fella, Hi Jolly.

Congratulations.

MAN: I said it once, and I'’ll say it again!

I don'’t have time to be bothered!

We'’re fighting a war, not running a zoo!

Those camels are a nuisance!

I don'’t care what you do with '’em!

Get rid of '’em! Sell '’em! Auction '’em off!

Give '’em away! Turn '’em loose!

Do anything, but get rid of them!

Ned, I'’m sorry.

I never heard of anything so stupid,

so shortsighted.

And after the way the camels have proved themselves!

Well, I know how you feel, dear, but war changes everything.

We have thousands of acres of land here.

I think nothing of buying a hundred head of cattle.

Ned.

Just a passing thought, Mary.Oh, no, it isn'’t.

You'’re going to buy those camels yourself. Your mind'’s all made up.

Well, only those at Fort Tejon.

How did you guess?

Well, I'’ve been married to you for quite a few years, darling.

Then you don'’t mind? I mean, if I give the camels a home here till after the war?

They can stay here the rest of their lives if you like.

Oh, Mary, you make me very happy.

And I know somebody else'’ll be very happy too.

Truxtun.

[ both laugh ]

[ grunting ]Oh, boy!

Do you really mean I can have a camel of my own to ride, Papa?

Well, if you treat him right, son.

And if you can stay on him.

Come on, boy. Come on, boy.[ shouting ]

[ laughing ]

[ shouting continues ]

[ laughing continues ]

And was that really the end of the camel?

Well, some were sold to circuses,

some to mines in Virginia City,

and some remained at army posts.

General Douglas MacArthur can remember,

as a little boy in 1885,

seeing camels at Fort Selden in Arizona

where his father was a commanding officer.

Now, many of the camels were turned loose on the desert.

Have they any descendents?

Well, your guess is as good as mine.

If you see one, let me know.

♪♪ [ trumpet ]