Original subtitles

[Music]

The immortal pen of James Fenomore

Cooper

brings you thrilling tales of

excitement.

Blazing action on the early American

frontier.

Stirring adventures filled with the

daring and courage of Hawkeye.

First of the long rifles and his blood

brother Ching Nutk. Last of the

Moheakans.

In the year 1757, a cabin on the

Irakquoy Trail, New York.

[Music]

Don't shoot. I surrender.

[Music]

Matt, I might have known it was you.

Nobody else can hit that iron from

across the clearing. Chingkook, welcome

to my house again.

Oh, greetings to mother of Hawkeye.

Where's Tommy?

In the army. He's a sergeant already.

Dispatch rider.

My kid brother doesn't seem possible.

That has been a year since you went away

to guide those settlers west. And Tommy

just sort of grew up.

Tommy, a red coat. How about some

breakfast? You know, we've been

traveling all night thinking about your

buckwheat cakes and maple syrup. Fort

William Henry, an isolated British

outpost defending against the French and

Indians on Lake George.

Now you understand, Cutler, you're to

destroy this dispatch at the first sign

of danger.

Yes, sir.

And then if you still get through, you

can deliver the message orally.

I understand, sir.

All right. Will you repeat it for me

once more?

Danger of large-scale Indian assault.

Situation grave. Rush reinforcements and

wagon train at once.

Excellent. You know the shortcut, I'm

told. I sure do, sir. It goes by my

mother's cabin up near Waterville.

Colonel, it might be an excellent idea

to let Toana escort Cutler as far as

Waterville, then cut up the Irakquoy

Trail to Lake Champlain and scout the

French camp.

All right, go ahead. Oana,

good luck, gentlemen.

Thank you, sir.

That'll be all, gentlemen.

[Music]

Oh, ma. No more.

[Music]

Ghana, turn here. Go scout French camp.

It was sure nice riding with you this

far. What's that Indian saying you

taught me for goodbye, friend?

A Kushnak. I

mustn't forget that one. A Kushner

Kushn.

[Music]

It's Tommy.

He's hurt bad.

[Music]

What is it? Orana?

Bad medicine. Captain Young Cutler tried

to give paper to Hurons. Orana, stop

him. have to kill.

We've done all we can

with no doctor this side of Albany.

What do you see?

Picture talk. Huron talk. Scratch on

blade with Fred.

Huron writing. Can you make it out?

It's a Huron. Favorite sons of Manito.

A huron knife?

Yes, but Indian you shoot at dressed

like Mohawk.

Maybe you got it from a Hiron he'd

killed.

No, my brother.

Red man, never carry Tommy Hawk or knife

that belongs to enemy. Bad medicine.

Well, I'm going to carry it and the bad

luck will be his.

Oh god.

Oh god.

Tommy. Tommy, it's Nat.

Oh,

my dispatch was get Oh,

take it easy, lad. Don't try to force

yourself to talk.

Is Sergeant Tom Cutler here?

Yes, he is.

Who are you?

I'm his brother, Nat Cutler. I've just

returned from the new settlement at

Oswgo.

Well, at least you're not obstructing

the king's justice.

Well, that needs explaining, Captain.

Your brother was carrying an important

dispatch. He was seen signaling to an

enemy Indian patrol. Calling them in to

give him the dispatch.

That can't be true. His own father was

killed by the Hurans.

I'm sorry, madam, but if he's able to

travel, we'll have to take him with us.

Heather.

Mother.

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

Now go. Please.

Yes, madam. As soon as I make sure he is

dead.

You won't touch him.

Get out.

Steady, Ma. The captain's only doing his

duty as he sees it. Let him look for

himself.

Very well. I I won't need to trouble you

any longer.

Just a minute, Captain.

It's not quite clear to me who saw my

brother dealing with the Hurons.

Our chief Mohawk guide, Oana, a very

trustworthy man. He drove off the

Hurons. Your brother tried to escape

with them

and got shot in the back.

Naturally, he was riding away. I see.

Then what did this Oana do?

He started for Albany with a dispatch

and met my patrol. I sent him on with

the message.

What's the idea of that?

Sorry, but as a man wanted for a crime

against the crown, he's not entitled to

military honors.

That boy lying there never dealt with

any enemy Indians.

He was as proud of that uniform as you

are.

Unfortunately, the facts do not bear you

out.

Not entitled

military honors.

[Music]

Bad throw. Too high for a man's belly.

Too low for neck.

My mind wasn't on killing. Just pinning

some of my thoughts down.

You're on Canoe.

[Music]

If that's our Huron, he'll take the Port

Williams trail.

That Organo, him still dressed like

Mohawk.

You're right. Only a man the Eurons know

is their spy could move among them in

Mohawk dress.

We kill.

No,

I've got a notion this Euron's taking

his orders from someone else. We're

going to follow him and find out.

[Music]

[Applause]

Brothers, I have just come from French

camp.

French general fool. Have heart of

woman.

You say you get no Yankee scalps, no

guns, no prisoners. Go spread word among

all hurons.

Tell them there is council fire and

forest tonight.

Tell them, oh Gana, lead them to great

victory.

My Tomahawk thirsty. Put it away. I

wouldn't have anything happened to him

for a king's ransom. With O'ana dead, I

could never clear Tommy's name.

Don't shoot.

We're friends. Why are you follow? We're

making our way to Fort Williams. We got

run off our trap lines by Eurons. Is

this the right path?

Mayo gunner. Mohawk scout for Yenis.

Fort only little way now. You stay in

front.

All right.

[Music]

And when did you get the message to

Albany?

I son yesterday. Generals say tell you

wagon soldiers leave before sundon.

You hear that men? Our reinforcements

are halfway here. They should be with us

tomorrow.

On way back, me scout French general's

camp. Many French soldier, many herons.

Big guns come through woods this way.

Well, that confirms it. Captain Mont's

on the move. It'll take him 3 days

before he gets here. By that time, we'll

have plenty of men, and we'll give him a

royal reception. Thank you, Oana. You

rendered a very valuable service.

I must go spread the good news among the

other women.

Thank you, Oana.

I blame myself, sir, for taking that

young cutless scoundrel for granted. I

should have sent Okana on alone in the

first place.

Yes, we should have.

[Music]

My brother was right. Keep silence.

Oana fool Yang. He's so good. Nobody

believe anything we say.

He's a slick article. All right. But one

thing's certain. If Oana gets out of

this fort tonight, he'll be a massacre.

[Music]

Come with me. You're moving out.

[Music]

Oana, I have talked the colonel into

ordering you to get word to the relief

column, which we both know is still in

barracks at Albany.

My orders for you, however, are a little

different.

Orana, listen and obey.

Our work here is finished. Orana, go at

once to General Mont and tell him to

speed the cannon and the infantry. We

must move fast now before Captain West's

patrol reaches Albany, for then the

British will know that you did not

deliver the dispatch. Tell the general

that I shall be waiting in the forest to

join my old company of the fifth

regiment.

Arana

hold it. All right. Downstairs.

[Music]

I don't know what the meaning of this

is, but you'd better have a reasonable

explanation for it. Captain, before I

let that Huron devil out of this room,

I'll shoot him myself and take the

consequences.

Huron?

You heard what I said, Captain. And he's

no mere warrior. He's one of their high

top chiefs. They're gathering out there

now, wait awaiting his return.

Just who are you?

The name's Nat Cutler.

He is Hawkeye to his Indian brothers.

Hawkeye the long rifle.

Also the brother of Tommy Cutler, our

traitorous spy.

He was no traitor, Captain. The Moheakin

and I saw a gunner kneeling beside his

body. I shot this knife out of his hand

as he was about to scalp Tommy to make

it look like another Huron had done it.

Now we'll all go to the colonel's office

and he'll clear Tommy's name. Take him

along.

Don't move.

You're not going anywhere.

Take his rifle, Okana.

Now go, Okana, go.

You've got to stop him. That Indian's a

traitor. And so are you if you let him

out of this fort.

Your discovery comes a little late, my

friend. So, it was you who ordered my

brother killed.

And as the brother of Cutler, the spy,

your death at my hands will be equally

justified.

You're under arrest.

You're as blind and thickheaded as

General Bradock was when we scouted for

him two years ago. He wouldn't believe

us either.

They soon all believe when attack fort

general tellana he give yanis chance to

make honorable surrender. Orana say not

wait like little children for French

gun. Take fort now. Kill all yanis. Take

many scalp.

[Music]

What is it? The herons are shooting at

something in the water. Sir, manual

boost.

[Applause]

It's Captain West. Sir,

sir, the forest is swarming with Euron.

Simpson and I had to take to the water.

And your patrol?

I mean with the column. General Johnson

sent me on ahead to clear up the Cutler

matter.

It'll take a considerable amount of

clearing. His brother's in a cell now

for killing Captain Brownell and trying

to prevent Oana from leaving the fort on

a mission.

You have the wrong man in jail, sir.

Oana never delivered your dispatch.

Albany is convinced he's an enemy agent.

Change to a dry uniform.

Yes, sir.

You've been fools, my dear.

Corporal,

release those prisoners at once.

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Music]

[Applause]

Fight.

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

Stay here and open the door. I just

[Applause]

[Music]

fire.

Wow.

[Music]

Fire attack.

[Music]

Well, Captain West Cutler, my apology

for everything. No apology necessary,

Captain. That devil Oana made off with

Marion. I know I followed you out. I've

sent Chingetsgook for help.

[Music]

The ashes are still warm. They can't be

far off.

What's this?

That's a Pathfinder, Mark.

But they're Ottawas, not Eurons. We're

in luck.

Huh? They both fight for the French.

I know, but there's no love lost between

them. This may be the break I'm hoping

for. Come on, let's hurry.

Hear me, great Ottawa chief. My name

Orana, chief of Euron. Today my men win

great victory over Yankees fort. This

woman mine, you make of her my wife

under Ottawa law.

What say white woman?

No. No.

Woman say no.

By what right do you claim her?

By no right at all, great chief.

The Shiron speaks with double tongue.

Your great white father, the French

general, will be hunting for him to

hanging by the neck for ravens to eat.

For what deed will French want this

uron?

For stealing this woman, daughter of

Yankees chief at Fort William Henry.

The long rifle lies. This woman mine.

Only one of us is the liar. Chief, I ask

the right under Ottawa law to prove I

speak the truth in battle with this

hunter of women.

So be it.

[Music]

All right, Oana. It's you and me after

all.

[Music]

Wait.

[Music]

You will fight in the fashion of my

father's fathers.

[Music]

Get

[Music]

hurt.

[Music]

There we go.

[Music]

go.

Come on.

[Music]

[Music]

Long rifle, great warrior. Ottawa word

good.

These three leave in peace. Let no one

follow.

[Music]

My own personal gratitude to both of you

is of course beyond measure. I wish to

offer you, Hawkeye, the post of chief of

scouts with the rank of captain.

You would honor the service by

accepting.

That's a real compliment, Colonel. But I

reckon me and army regulations, we just

don't get along somehow. Besides,

Chingets Cook and I were planning on

heading out for some new territory west

of the Big Smoky Mountains. The grass is

tall and green, and there aren't any

wars going on. Thanks. Anyhow,

goodbye. Goodbye,

Hawkeye.

It's always like that on the other side

of the mountain until you're there.

Seems that way, ma'am. But it doesn't

stop a fellow from wanting to find out

for himself.

[Music]

Join us again at this same time next

week for another of James Fenomore

Cooper's gripping tales of the early

American frontier. Another exciting

adventure of Hawkeye and his blood

brother Chingut Cookook. Last of the

Moheakans.

From the immortal pen of James Fenomore

Cooper came stirring tales of the early

American frontier when freedomloving

pioneers were carving a new nation out

of an unknown, savage, and untamed

wilderness. stories of those exciting

days

and of the courage, daring, and devotion

of men like Hawkeye, the first of the

long rifles, and his tribal brother,

Chingachuk,

the last of the Moheakans.

[Music]

[Music]

Chang.

[Music]

Many hurons here. Yeah, it's kind of

surprising. We're looking for a band of

lost white settlers and run into this.

Maybe explain why white governor not

here from settlers for six moons.

Yeah, it's kind of got me worried. Those

were city people fresh off the boat from

England. They head for this territory

and disappear.

They have scout.

Yeah.

No scout that is good. Lead settlers

into Huron territory.

No, I reckon he wouldn't.

[Music]

Done to your taste, Mr. Flint.

That's fine eating, Ray.

Better than them settlers is having.

The trappers are coming.

What's in them sacks for him, Rafe?

Flour, half a pound of dried venison.

You're a pretty smart man, Mr. Flint.

Much obliged.

You bring these city people out here and

when they can't take care of themselves,

they got no guns, helpless. You make

them trap force and pay them with

nothing. But

let's not waste time. Ben Arrow, let

them in.

It's a fair catch. Take it, Rafe.

I was hoping there'd be a little more

provisions, Mr. Flint. It was terrible

odd making out last time.

You made out, didn't you?

Oh, of course I did. But I was just

hoping the children get awful hungry.

Next, man.

That's a mighty small pack, Bass. I

I was sick.

Don't make the pack any bigger. Wouldn't

be surprised he was expecting to get

full payment, though.

You call this miserable sack. Full

payment.

You got any place else to pedal your

furs?

We could take it up to the capital. It

ain't more than 50 mi away.

50 mi of virgin forest between here and

the capital. Not one of you could find

his way through a thick bush without a

helping hand. And even if you could,

Little Bear, Ben Arrow,

what would your Huron brothers do if

these people walked out on their

agreement with Jake Flint?

I ain't a hard man, Bass.

That your boy, Sam.

Sam Bass, come here.

Who gave you that meat? You can't do

that to my boy.

[Music]

That's a mistake. Winners.

[Applause]

[Music]

He was murdered.

You better not talk like that.

I intent saying whatever I please.

You can't. Not here.

I don't intend remaining here.

I'm taking Sarah and the boy back to the

capital.

That's 50 mi hire them. People like us

don't know our ways around the

wilderness. Besides that, what about the

hurons?

Maybe there aren't any. Maybe the only

two hurons is the ones working for

Flint. Besides, we've only got his word

about a whole band of them.

It's a mighty big chance you're taking.

Now, what chance have we got staying on

here? What chance has my boy got?

From the looks of you, I can see we're

going it alone.

Come, Sarah. Sam.

Heat.

[Music]

Well, it looks peaceable enough.

There is trading post here. You think

maybe this settlement governor sent us

to find?

Well, let's ask a few questions.

We tell scouts what we come for.

We'll decide that after we talk to him.

afternoon to you.

You are quiet as an Indian, mister.

I am Indian.

I see you've got a couple of Indian

friends, too. Hurons.

You're seeing right. Who are you?

We're trappers looking for a place to

set up our lines. Thought we'd set up

near a trading post like here.

We already got trappers.

There's plenty of streams, plenty of

wildlife. I don't think your other

trappers would mind if we set up here.

I would.

Well, that being the case, we'll just

keep moving along.

[Music]

Wait a minute. We're friendly. This is

Chingichkook. I'm called Hawkeye.

I'm Abel Stark.

You're one of the English settlers that

came out here to trap fur.

I am with my wife and two little ones.

You'd be better off starving to death in

the old country.

Why is that? This is rich land.

We are city folk. We don't know how to

live here.

You came out with scouts, didn't you?

Yes. Jake Flint and his men.

Well, don't they help you?

They know you're talking to me.

What are you asking these questions for?

What are you doing out here?

Came up from the capital. Got a letter

for one of your people.

We haven't got a letter for anyone in

the 6 months we've been out here. Who's

it for?

Man by the name of Hyram Bass. His

brother sent it.

Bass?

For Hyram left with his family 2, three

hours ago.

Headed for where?

South to the capital.

Flint's been saying there's hurons

between us and there. Bass wouldn't

believe him.

Well, he should have because there are.

We'll be back.

[Music]

[Music]

You're on war cry. They must have

spotted the wagon.

Hyru,

what can we do? What can we do?

[Music]

There's no going back to the capital.

Not until the Hurons are cleared out,

and that would take too much time.

What else can we do?

Gather your furs and your gear and head

north.

North? But there are Indians up north,

too.

Well, the difference, Mr. Stark, is

their ear. They're friendly. They'll let

you settle amongst them.

We never reach them. We don't know the

ways of the forest.

Changing Cookook and I will be glad to

lead you.

I'll go along with that.

The rest of us will, too.

What about Flint and his men? They'd

never let us leave here.

It's going to take you two or three days

to get your furs and get ready. During

that time, there's no need to inform Mr.

Flint. What he doesn't know won't bother

him.

Them two who say they're trappers saved

Sam Bass. Now they're holding a meeting

in the bass cabin.

Between them two strangers and the fuss

them settlers kicked up at the post.

Looks like it's time we taught them all

a lesson.

Little bear, how long will it take you

to go down river? Get your tribe up

here.

That figure's just about right. Get

going.

Them trappers are going to get a

surprise. A real happy surprise.

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

He'll do for now.

Flint must have been sending him

downstream for the other Hurons.

Flint be brave man now with all Huron

tribe behind him.

What do we do now?

Well, we'll go ahead with our plans.

Flint doesn't know the Hurons aren't

coming. That'll give us the time we

need.

We help settlers set trap.

Yes, we can help them get started sooner

that way.

More than two days passed. Where are

them hurons?

Maybe they kind of got held up

by what? Meanwhile, we ain't been

seeing, hearing anything out of the

trappers. They might be planning to move

out any minute. We got to know.

Why not ask one of them?

That's exactly what I got in mind. Now,

you take Bend Arrow here.

[Music]

What do you want?

[Music]

Real pleasure to see you, Mr.

Wilshshire.

Last few days, me and the trappers kind

of lost touch with each other.

Makes me real unhappy. What are you boys

up to?

I ain't going to take it kindly unless

you start talking.

I ain't got nothing to say. Ben, give me

that stripper rawhide off in the

counter.

What do you know about leather, Mr.

Wilchu?

Well, I'll tell you. When it's wet, it

stretches.

But when it's dry and it starts getting

tighter and tighter, you understand

that.

Now supposing I was to take this piece

of leather here, tie it real snug around

your neck when it's still wet and then

why we'd all sit around and wait for it

to start drying. Might be very

interesting.

It would start strangling.

That's a real possible thing to happen,

Mr. Wilchshire. But if you're so set on

talking,

I'll tell you anything you want to know.

You know, I kind of thought you would.

They all come like you say, empty-handed

with no furs.

Yep. Today they're going to take furs

instead of bring them in.

They're coming. Let them in.

All right, Beno, open that door.

Glad to see you, friends. But you seem

to be light on furs. Ain't the little

beasties been walking into the traps?

We've been taking plenty of furs.

Now that's interesting. Where are they?

We've got them cashed.

No reason to do that when I'm willing to

buy them.

Selling them to you is like trying to

outshout a high wind. Get you nothing.

Why'd you bother to come here at all?

You've got furs here that belong to

these trappers. We want them.

I paid for them.

The price wasn't right.

You're getting pretty high-handed,

mister. Me and my men are armed. I

noticed we still want those furs.

You aim on selling them at the capital.

Maybe

going to be quite a job guiding all

these trappers down south.

Maybe we're not going south.

That ain't your favorite direction.

Hurons aren't my favorite people.

Well, you can go wherever you like.

Thanks.

Only uh ain't you taking the Bass family

with you?

I don't see hire him around. He's

wounded.

His wife and the boy

in the cabin.

Sorry, they ain't.

That's right. They're gone. Now you make

sure of that. Then come back and maybe

we can talk different terms. Huh?

Hello.

Ra

Rafe and the Indian

they come in released the Huron. They

took Sarah and the boy.

What are they going to do?

What are they going to do?

[Music]

What do you want for Mrs. Bass and the

boy?

All the furs the trappers got cashed

away.

All right, you can have them.

And one thing more.

You and the Indian give up your arms,

become our prisoners.

How do we know you'll keep your word?

You don't. But you ain't got any choice

either, have you? It's either you or the

Bass family.

I sent little bear here downstream to

bear a message to the Hurons. You kind

of intercepted him. So what I'm going to

do is send you down instead.

The Hurons are going to be mighty glad

to meet you. Tie him to the raft.

[Music]

Every man must die in time. But to die

by Yuron is bad.

I can't get these thongs loose at all.

No. Leather is tight. You pull get

tighter. No way. Get loose.

Maybe there is. Chingburg.

No. No. You tip over raft.

No. If we can get the thongs wet, maybe

we can get loose. Oh, stretch, huh?

[Music]

You reckon them trappers will stay in

line while we sell these down to

capital?

No, there's nothing else they can do now

that Hawkeye and his friend are gone.

[Music]

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

There's the raft.

They must have got loose somehow. Little

bear and arrow. Go see what happened.

[Music]

Get

[Music]

What the

heat?

[Music]

Where's the fast boy and his mother?

Little bear. Hit them out in the woods.

Are they still there?

Still there? I'll take you to them.

Please, you ain't going to.

No, it's hanging. You're due for

Well, you've got some arms and some

knowledge of how to get along in the

wilderness. You want to stay on by

yourselves?

I think we'll be just fine.

I think we can manage.

We'll deliver your furs and those

varmits to the capital. They'll send you

back more guns and provisions.

I think you'll get along fine.

Thanks to you and Chinguch.

Well, from now on, you won't have anyone

to thank but yourselves. You were city

people when you came out here, but now I

think you're going to be real pioneers.

[Music]

[Music]

Hallelujah.

Heat.

Heat.

[Music]

The immortal pen of James Phenomore

Cooper

brings you thrilling tales of

excitement.

Blazing action on the early American

frontier.

Stirring adventures filled with the

daring and courage of Hawkeye.

First of the long rifles and his blood

brother Ching Nutk.

Last of the Moheakans.

[Music]

We can talk better without guns. Barton,

I got nothing to say to you. You might

be a whole lot safer talking fur instead

of a Guinham. Voting for him be even

better.

I'd rather be dead than vote for that

swine.

You're breaking my arm.

The man's neck breaks just as easy. Now,

who you going to be voting for?

I'm losing my patience spot. Now, let me

hear it. Who you going to be voting for?

Kane. The whole thing louder and

clearer.

I'm voting for Ryder Kane.

Just the way I'm going to want to hear

you say it at the assembly meeting. Just

don't forget, it ain't everywhere in the

world a man's got the right to vote the

way he sees fit.

[Music]

Sun is at top. Why we hurry? We reached

settlement before dark anyway.

I guess I have been pushed a little

change, but we never been to Hopeville

before. Figured on getting there before

dark and doing a little sightseeing.

Oh, all village same. We see many

houses, roads, people. Huh. One tree in

forest. Much better.

I don't spending too much time in towns

myself.

It doesn't look like he's hunting

four-legged game, does it?

Here come the sitting ducks now.

[Music]

He stopped ducks.

I'll take care of that bushwhacker.

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

Sam Burton the dirty bushwhacker.

It appears to me he's the victim of his

own ambush.

That shot. Did you? His gun went off out

of plain surprise. But he did run into

my fist. He'll be coming too in a

minute.

That low down ambushing skunk.

He might be all you say he is, mister.

But that's no reason to mark yourself

with murder.

Ain't murdered to killer snake before he

gets his fangs into you.

Snake skunk. All I see lying there is a

human being with a right to a fair trial

no matter what he's done.

I'll give him a fair trial.

Let's take him in. Mr. Kate

Cook and me are heading for Hopeville.

be no trouble at all for us to take him

in.

I'm the one who tried to murder,

stranger, and I'm the one that's going

to take him in.

Now get out of my way.

Well, does it matter who takes Barton

into the sheriff?

Well, how do we know this stranger ain't

going to turn him loose?

I'm sure he won't.

After all, he did save us from an

ambush. Look me up when you get to

Hopeville. I'd like to thank you

properly. Ask anybody there for Ryder

can.

Angry one obey smooth tonged one like

There's power in that smoothness,

Chingage Cookook. Like a fine steel

blade.

All right, Mr. Barton, you can stop

playing possum and get to your feet now.

It's safe. They've gone.

Reckon I'd live a might longer playing

dead. I don't know if I should thank you

for keeping me from damning my soul as a

bushwhacker or to cuss you for stopping

me from stamping out them two vermin.

Mr. Barton, I'd choose thanking cuz I

don't hold a bushwhacking any more than

I do shooting a man when he's lying

down.

Far easy forcing myself to wait for them

behind that tree. My insides are

tortured. Part of me knowing I got no

right to take human life. But most of me

hoping the good Lord will have mercy on

me for ridden this territory of the evil

of Ryder Kane.

We've heard of Ryder Kane. Could be part

of the reason why we're headed for

Hopeville.

What business would you have with Ryder

Kane, stranger?

Don't know yet. Got a letter from a

friend of ours asking us to come here.

Seems he didn't care much for Ryder Kane

either.

Ain't nobody in hope they'll put

anything in writing against Kain.

Seems you don't know. Miles Gentry.

Who be stranger?

I'm called Hawkeye. This is my blood

brother, Chinguchk.

Miles talked about you off and on some

time back.

Guess I don't have to worry about you

turning me over to the sheriff now.

Mr. Barton, when a man takes the law

into his own hands, he's got to answer

for it.

You don't mean that. Turning me over to

the sheriff's like throwing me into a

lion's den.

I gave my word I'd bring you in. But

I'll see that you get a fair trial.

If I live that long. Kane's got the

sheriff in his pocket, same as he's got

the rest of Hopeville.

Mr. Barton, I've never lost a wager

playing on the side of the law. I've got

nobody's word but yours that the law is

playing a crooked game in these parts.

What if Miles Gentry backed me up? Would

you believe me then? Like the gospel?

I'll take you to him. It's right on the

way into town.

Told you I'd take you to Miles Gentry.

Well, there he is.

[Music]

You see what's written there? Them's his

own words. was like he was expecting to

be killed.

There's Will Hawkins. Will could have

told you about Ryder Kane

or Chub Wilson,

my brother. He believed in Ryder Kane,

worked for him, and when he found out

what Kane was up to, it tore him up all

inside. He ran to get as far away as he

could. But Kane and his men caught up to

him. Would you call me a bushwhacker for

trying to rid ourselves of this

murderer?

What you say is true, Mr. Barton, no

jury would pin that name on you.

Them jury men will be thinking of their

own necks. Not mine.

Kane's got a plan, Hawkeye. He runs

Hopeville. And day after tomorrow, when

he gets himself named permanent chairman

of the assembly, he'll have his grip

over the whole territory. And everybody

at his mercy, bleeding every shillin

farther than he can out of our sweat and

toil.

Have you got any proof of this?

A letter my brother sent me before he

was killed.

Well, anybody could write anything in a

letter. Kane would just laugh it off.

Ralph knew Kane was going to kill him.

He wrote that down and he told

everything about how Kane planned these

murders. Name and names given dates,

even about Miles Gentry. I got the

letter same day Miles was killed.

Then that letter would be valuable

evidence in a court of law. I'd like to

see it.

Where I've got it head is in the

opposite direction from the jail.

I reckon it'll have to keep, Barton.

That's the power of a lie. Just what I

expect from him. He's a troublemaker. He

is.

Ask anybody in town.

I'm not interested in opinions off the

street. I merely mention the notion of

Mr. Bartons that that jail cell might be

his coffin.

I'm only a sheriff, not judge and jury.

I'll lock him up. Court decides what to

do with him.

You mean Ryder King tells you what to

do?

I'm beholden to no man.

This is a peaceable town. We never have

no trouble except with him. He never did

have no respect for the law. Never will.

Give you my hand. No harm will come to

him whilst he's in my jail. And here's

mine. If any accidents happen to Mr.

Barton, you'll have to answer to me

personally.

We'll look in on you.

getting nuts out.

[Music]

Hello there. My pleasure, gentlemen.

Have a seat. No need for ceremony,

especially since I have my life to be

grateful for.

I take it Barton's in jail. That's

right. We just left the jail. I could

have saved you that piece of travel if

you hadn't stuck your nose in and let me

finish that dirty bushwhacker.

Lyman, the matter's settled. We're all

friends here at this table.

Jenny, a couple of pints of ale for my

friends here. And don't skimp the brim.

Never mind, Jenny. Thanks. Just the

same.

What brings you to Hopeville?

Just looking the country over. You'll be

moving on soon then.

We might. And again, we might not.

What business you got here? Man of

Forest not have business. Come to town,

look over, maybe stay, maybe go.

I've just realized you know my name and

Brett Lyman's, but we neglected to learn

yours.

He is called Hawkeye by all Indian

tribes.

This is my Mohakin brother, Chingage.

Hawkeye? Eh,

that ought to mean you got pretty sharp

eyes.

You see that dark spot over there?

[Music]

And that's without looking.

That's a pretty good toss.

[Music]

Chingkook and me haven't had much of a

chance to look around town, so we'll be

getting along.

[Music]

Ching cook.

Here's yours, Mr. Lyman.

[Music]

[Applause]

Good day, gentlemen.

[Music]

Keep out of his way, Lyman.

But make sure that he stays out of ours.

[Music]

Let's mosey over there and see if we can

find out why these folks act like we got

the plague.

It's not plague.

All people in this town afraid like elk

when not have leader scatter when wolf

attack.

A wolf won't attack an elk herd with a

king elk leading them. Maybe that's what

this town needs. Someone they can trust.

Someone will make them stand up together

and fight. You remember that town that

we stopped at early this morning?

Remember the man that we spoke to?

Everyone in the colonies will listen to

him. Go and get him, Chingage Cookook.

Tell him what's happening here. I'm sure

he'll come back with you.

Well, what my brother do?

I'm going to get that letter from Mr.

Barton.

I command you stop.

[Applause]

[Music]

Hawkeye. The letter storage shed. It's a

loose board.

Fine.

I signed his death warrant, turning him

over to you.

He tricked me. Got out of his cell. I

ordered him to stop. He'd got away if I

hadn't shot him.

Maybe you didn't listen when I told you

I'd hold you to account for anything

that happened like this. You'll go to

the gallows, sheriff, along with those

you're working for.

All right, stop shaking.

A Hawkeye ain't going to be living

another day.

A warm stone for my horse of the best

grade.

And see to it, you rub her down. Well,

Osler, I promised her that consideration

for her extra duty tonight.

Ah, a bit of warmth. Be prudent not to

let it waste.

Ben. Oh, Hawkeye,

you're the one man in the colonies I

knew I could count on.

Ah, we've got to stand together,

Hawkeye. Woodsmen and townsmen. Else,

how am I ever going to convince the

politicians that my plan of colonial

union is vital to all of us? Ah, but

come. I'll sign the register and we can

discuss matters in the comfort of my

room.

Thank you, lass.

Oh, I'll not be needing that. The heat

of a pan's only temporary, and my blood

still runs warm enough to keep me in

snug dreams all night. Chingoot, that

hustler was either half asleep or quite

deaf. I wonder if it would be asking too

much of you to see that my mayor is

properly bedded down.

My brother Hawkeye tell me you are great

white chief. That all chiefs across

great white waters give you honor. But

you are like Papoose. You have great

love for horse, too.

Take care of a good servant, and you'll

have a friend that'll take care of you.

Ah, thank you, lass. Room three.

Hawkeye.

Good night.

Your jaw is hanging loose, Jenny.

A tyrant, no matter how minute he might

be, is like a worm in an apple tree,

Hawkeye. And if it's not plucked out in

time, it'll engulf the whole tree and

then the orchard.

Well, we found the worm in this tree.

All right,

then we must pluck him out. Ah, at the

very bottom.

A little something I invented, Hawkeye.

And now I can peruse that letter you

mentioned to me without having the word

dance in front of me.

You'll have to wait till I find it.

From the way you spoke, I assumed you

had it on your person.

No, but I know where it's hidden.

Then get it, man. And if it contains all

the information you've reported to me,

the least we'll be able to do is get an

indictment of murder against Mr. Kaine.

[Music]

The rat scurry into his hole.

Maybe more than likely it's just the

floor settling. But be sure and lock

your door. Ryder Kane might be fool

enough to try violence on you.

A farthing's worth of good advice is a

more prudent investment than a pound's

worth of stubborn pride. Oh, about that

letter. It would be most effective if I

were to have it to present to the

assembly before the election takes

place.

Good night.

Good night, Hawkeye.

[Music]

Even with those fancy spectacles Ben

Franklin made, he ain't going to be able

to read that their letter.

Three to one. That's not the kind of

odds I like to be up against.

Now give it here.

[Music]

Cover the door.

[Music]

Over here.

Heat.

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

Heat.

[Music]

[Applause]

All night long. Not a word out of you.

Now, for the last time, if you don't

tell me what you did with that letter,

I'm going to finish you off with your

own rifle. Here,

you won't shoot, Lyman. That letter's

worth your life.

Not if nobody else ever finds it. Now,

I'm going to count to three, and your

tongue better be waggling before I gets

there. One, two. Put that rifle down.

That letter's worth my life, too, Lyman.

But letter or no letter? In a few hours,

I'm going to be elected permanent

chairman of the assembly.

Even the permanent chairman of the

assembly can walk the steps to the

gallows.

Not Ryder Kaine. After today, there

won't be a voice big enough to dare

raise itself against me. Not even

Benjamin Franklin's.

Today's young yet. You haven't been

elected.

This isn't really an election, Hawkeye.

I'm merely going through the formality

of permitting the people to say I in my

favor.

Keep working on him.

He hasn't stopped acting like a hero by

the time I get back. I'll let you finish

counting.

Much as I want that letter, Hawkeye, I'm

kind of hoping that you won't break.

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

me look everywhere. My brother Hawkeye

liked mist in morning sun. He

disappeared.

If only he told us where he was going.

People are already gathering at the

meeting house, which means the voting

will take place within the hour.

Have you seen Ryder Kain?

Last time we see him, he head into

woods.

That's strange. My judgment of such a

man dictates that under ordinary

circumstances, he'd be lording it in the

tavern at this moment.

Him not there, nor is Big Mouth.

Big mouth.

Lyman, work for Kane.

Chinguk, you find them and I'm sure you

will find Hawkeye.

[Music]

I'm not waiting for him.

Forgot to tell you it isn't loaded.

Maybe not with ball and powder.

There's something in here. All right.

Looks like a piece of paper.

Couldn't be that letter, could it?

Find something to get it out.

Help.

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

Heat.

[Music]

me take many scalps for this.

Now just untie me and get me on my feet.

Any scalps will be taken around here

will be done by Ben Franklin.

All right, my brother. And I consider it

a great privilege to be allowed to

welcome to our midst that great defender

of human rights, assemblyman at large

from Philadelphia, publisher of the

great gazette, representative of

Massachusetts and Georgia, and deputy

postmaster general of all the colonies,

Mr. Benjamin Franklin.

Well, stand up, Mr. Franklin. Let the

citizens of Hopefully get a good look at

you.

Mr. Kane. Whenever an old political

warhorse like myself rises to his feet

before an assemblage, he has the urge to

make a speech. Do you mind?

Hope builds a citadel of free speech,

Mr. Franklin. Go right ahead. Thank you.

And keep your ears open, the lot of you.

You don't want to miss a word of this.

It'll give you something to tell your

children and your grandchildren. You

couldn't be more right, Mr. Kain.

Well, don't just stand there. They're

not allowed here. Get rid of them. Do as

I say or I'll break you. Get out of

here, you two or sit down. I'm in

charge.

Seems to me that Ben Franklin still has

the floor. Maybe you'd better sit down,

Mr. Kane.

It is not necessary to recount the

crimes committed by Ryder Kane upon the

people of this community.

You know what they are. It just remains

for me to place the contents of this

letter into the hands of the proper

authority. And as fate has decreed for

all tyrants since time immemorial,

justice will be done.

As for those words Mr. Kaine promised

I'd give you to hand down to posterity,

let me add this, my friends. You are the

citizens of a great new world. In this

wilderness, you are planting the seeds

of what must surely become a great and

glorious civilization.

Have faith in yourselves and in your

neighbors.

White chief speak

and your golden tongue better than

generations

with a golden heart. Thank you for their

most priceless possession,

their blessed inheritance of freedom.

Join us again at this same time next

week for another of James Fenomore

Cooper's gripping tales of the early

American frontier. Another exciting

adventure of Hawkeye and his blood

brother Chingkook,

last of the Moheakans.