Original subtitles

SLIM: Dispatch for Colonel Barrington, sir.

Special Dispatch Rider Sherman from Fort Laramie, sir.

Orders from headquarters.

They are important, sir.

Hey, Sergeant, get this man away from me.

But they're urgent, sir.

Sergeant, I'm planning an attack.

I want no orders and no interference from anyone.

Get this man off the hill.

SLIM: But that's what these orders are about, sir.

They want you to cancel the attack on the Indians.

You heard the colonel. Get.

Battle position has been taken, sir.

The skirmish parties are moving in.

Proceed with the attack.

Yes, sir.The orders, sir.

I said attack!

[ trumpet blowing ]

There are women and children in that village.

[ gunfire ]

Colonel Barrington, I must ask you to think

carefully before you answer.

You've testified that you were aware of the peace

negotiations with the Indians,

before your attack on their village at Wounded Knee.

If the court pleases, I did not so stipulate.

I merely said that I'd heard a peace treaty

was going to be negotiated.

I've heard the same thing at least once a year,

since I enlisted in 1950.

Very well, sir.

Why didn't you follow the orders to cancel that attack?

Because, sir, I did not receive them in time.

That's a lie.

[ gavel bangs ]

Then, Colonel, it's your opinion the fault lies

with the dispatch rider Mr. Sherman?

It's not the first time I found non-military

personnel unreliable.

Sergeant Bailey.

Sergeant, you were with the colonel before the attack?

Yes, sir. That's right, Captain.

I was with him on the hill overlooking the valley.

Did the colonel receive those dispatches?

No, sir.

This fellow come riding up too late.

But not too late for you to lie about it.

Lieutenant Harmon.

Sir?

Did you see the dispatch rider on the hill with the colonel?

Yes, sir, I saw him.

However, I don't know about those orders.

I was only there a few seconds.

Sir, I'd like to state that I've been

with the colonel since my commission.

I doubt if there's a more respected

or capable officer in the west.

I believe it's exactly as the sergeant stated, sir,

the dispatches arrived too late.

That's all, Lieutenant.

Mr. President, I would like permission

for Mr. Sherman to call a witness of his own.

Granted.

Sergeant Wells.

Sergeant Wells, are you the mess sergeant

assigned to Colonel Barrington's outfit?

That's right. I'm behind the lines generally.

I ain't seen a battle in 20 years of soldiering.

I sure saw this one though.

Did you see me on the hill with the colonel?

I sure did.

I wanted to move the cook wagon up near the hill,

figuring that'd be safer.

And I seen you try to give them

dispatches to the colonel,

just before the fighting started.

And what happened?

He wouldn't take 'em.

He's lying.

[ gavel bangs ]

That's enough, Sergeant.

Oh, I wouldn't lie about anything like this, sir.

Them Indians didn't have a chance.

Squaws, kids, shot down just like in a duck shoot.

Sir, I wish permission to speak.

You're not to intimidate the witness, Colonel.

I have no intention of doing so, sir.

I merely wish to clear up one thing.

This court has made a point of my men

shooting down squaws and children.

No one can lie about that.

The Indian graves are out there for anyone

who wants to see 'em.

And better the enemy should lie in them,

Mr. Sherman, than my own men.

General, we all know there's no time in battle

to distinguish between braves and squaws.

They dress the same,

and they're all capable of using weapons.

Children too?

Children too, Mr. Sherman.

Their bullets unfortunately are just

as deadly as those of adults.

Also, they grow up to be braves or squaws.

And our children would be fighting them,

the same as we are.

Amen to that, sir.

Order in the court.

You've had your say, Colonel.

Do you wish to challenge the witness?

No, sir.

Sergeant Wells is a good soldier.

He's doing his duty as he sees it,

just as I'm doing mine.

Yes, I did refuse to accept those dispatches,

and I should be thanked for it.

Our skirmish parties were already advancing.

Without cavalry support,

they would have been wiped out.

Do you mean to say they could not have been recalled?

I mean to say, sir, I don't honestly know.

To have found out would have meant

risking the lives of my own men.

Colonel, lying under oath is a serious offense.

Now why didn't you state the whole truth

right from the beginning?

The result would have been the same, sir.

I would not have withdrawn from battle,

even if Mr. Sherman had brought his dispatches

an hour before he did.

That's a strange statement

for a man of your service record to be making, Colonel.

And it would be stranger still if I did not make it.

There's only one way to deal with the Indian problem,

full and total war upon them

at every means at our disposal.

No one can negotiate but bullets fired

from 100 ambushes, and a tomahawk

in their back is a poor substitute

for our lasting treaty.

The only good Indian is a dead one, is that it, colonel?

I happen to think, Mr. Sherman,

that my way is best for our country,

and there are many men of importance

who believe the same.

I love this land but in it,

the Indian is a continuing menace.

The only continuing menace I know of, Colonel,

are men like you, murderers in uniform.

Sergeant!

Break it up! Break it up!

Order in the courtroom!

Order in the court.

This is a court, gentlemen,

not a place for a barroom brawl.

We'll be in recess until 8:00 tomorrow morning.

Well, it seems to me, Chato,

that after what happened in court today,

you've got nothing to worry about.

My people have told it to me, "Chato,

go see this punishment for Barrington."

It'll be done.

Long time now you, me, friends.

So I tell you this now...

until there's punishment for him,

we don't talk peace.

Post number five!

Sherman?What's up, Captain?

Some men from Barrington's outfit helped him escape.

We'll need your help. You too, Chato.

Escaped?

Maybe saw somebody free.

I prove to my people you sincere now.

You help us find Barrington, Chato.

Then I'll answer that question.

How?You know.

Bailey, give Corporal Harris a hand.

Reece, Bell, cover our flanks.

How is he?

Not good, sir, the bullet's still in him.

Sure, it's still in me.

Just haven't had time to get it out, that's all.

Your surgical packet, sergeant.

Whiskey, if you have it.

Easy.

Fifteen years, colonel.

Fifteen years I've been shot at.

Blackfeet,

Apaches, Confederates.

The slug that does it to me is government issue...

and in the back at that.

I know, corporal, I know.

[ coughs ]

[ coughs ]

Not very pretty, is it, sir?

The front of a man who's been shot in the back.

I've seen worse.

Nothing worse than a man that's been...

shot in the back running away.

Corporal Harris,

we've both been the soldiers too long

not to know the value of a military withdrawal.

We've been in more than one retreat together.

This ain't the same, is it, sir?

Exactly the same.

You remember Manassas?

[ chuckles ]

We all ran away then, didn't we?

Shilo, it was a pretty fair retreat.

You were wounded there, too.

And decorated, weren't you, Tom?

Yeah.

Well, this wound is every bit as honorable.

You're a fine soldier, corporal.

I'm proud to serve with you.

Thank you, sir.

You know, somehow it don't seem to hurt so much--

Another good man gone, killed by stupidity.

A shallow grave, Bailey, beyond those boulders.

Reece and Bell will help you.

The lieutenant and I will stand lookout.

Yes, sir.

We shouldn't take too much time, sir.

That patrol is closing in fast.

We lost them an hour ago.

I wouldn't have stopped if we hadn't.

That's right, lieutenant.

Corporal Harris would have died in the saddle.

Are you shocked?

Bell, Reece, come on.

We'll take these.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, sir.

They don't teach you things like this in West Point.

No, sir.

The word "casualty" in the military manual is...

well, there's a difference.

Colonel, that was very considerate,

the way you spoke to Corporal Harris.

I simply told him the truth.

I happen to be one of those men who believes with all his heart

that soldiering is one of the noblest professions on earth.

Harris felt that way too I think.

Yes, sir.

What about you?

Well, sir, I wouldn't have enrolled at the Point

unless I did feel that way.

There's glory in it and there's death...

in about equal amounts.

That may be.

Unfortunately, I haven't seen too much of the glory.

You will, oh, not in parades or anything like that...

but when one day you look around this wilderness

and realize you had a part in taming it.

Then you know a kind of glory that's worth more than

all the medals in the world.

Well, I hate to see you leave, Chato,

but I don't blame you.

I must return to my people.

Already the braves make rage because our men

don't find Barrington.

SLIM: Can you stop them?

CHATO: Indian is angry.

We talk peace, people are slaughtered.

Jess, it's Slim!

Jess!

Hiya, Jess.

Slim.

Hiya, Mike.

Oh.

Hey, you look kind of beat, partner.

I am, Jess.

Bone tired and plum out of luck.

Where's Daisy?

She's midwifing. Miss Harris is due.

You know, you look hungry enough to eat

some of my grub.

Sounds good to me.

Boy, you must really be hungry, Slim.

Get in there.

All the peace talks with the Indians

are really off, huh?

Yeah, and they even suspect the army

deliberately freed him.

And I guess that means

the tribes are getting in the hills.

It's bad, Jess, real bad.

We got to find Barrington to prove

we want peace.

Sounds like we're sitting on a nice little powder keg.

So what do you reckon when Daisy comes back,

we ought to take her and Mike into town?

Yeah, I plan to.

You can take her, she's a woman.

But I figure to stay on.

Just figure on doing what you're told, huh?

[ gunfire ]

[ Indians yelling ]

You stay inside, out of sight.

Okay, get inside.

Want an escort back into town, Hank?

Not if they'll hit here again.

Just give me a fresh team, that's all I want.

Get them unhitched, Ernie.

Coming up, Hank.

Hey, who is your friend? She looked kind of pretty.

Didn't have a chance to find out.

Mike beat me to her.

Give Hank a hand, will you?

Thank you, kind sir.

You know, what you did was very brave.

Well, that's all right.

Slim, can I pick up some of those shell casings?

There sure was a lot of shooting.

You pick 'em up and we'll see.

How's that ankle?

Oh, it's fine, I just turned it.

How long are you gonna be staying in Laramie?

Well, not very long. I'm just passing through.

HANK: Better get loaded, we got to roll.

Well, thank you for everything.

Thank you again.

Hey, wake up, part. Your thoughts are showing.

Why is it the nice ones are always passing through?

Slim!

Look what I found.

Why, it's a locket.

I found it over there where the lady fell down.

Say, that's just what you needed.

Well, now you can take it to her.

Why, it's Barrington.

Colonel John Barrington.

Oh, howdy, Slim.

Howdy, George. The town's kind of quiet.

Where's Sheriff Corey?

Well, him and about everybody else

is looking for that colonel.

Yeah, that's what I figured.

Any army men in town?

Not right now.

All of 'em ought to be back come sundown though.

Uh, anybody lay over off the morning stage?

Say like a young lady?

Mighty like one, Slim.

Name Margret Ken, room 7.

Is she in?

As far as I know.

Right pretty girl, friend of yours?

That's what I'm gonna find out.

WOMAN: Yes. Who is it?

Miss Ken, it's Slim Sherman,

from the relay station outside of Laramie.

I had to come to town, so I thought

maybe you'd have supper with me.

Well, Mr. Sherman, come in.

No, Mr. Sherman.

Looks like I made a good guess.

That's where you're wrong, mister.

It was a bad one for you.Wait!

He's one that caused the colonel all this trouble.

You can bet he was trailing you to find your father.

I'm gonna take care of him.

Father doesn't approve of murder.

I wouldn't count on that, Miss Barrington.

You're blind.

You're just like all the rest.

Am I?

I could see that massacre at Wounded Knee

pretty good.

That's quite enough.

Sorry, miss.

What are we gonna do with him?

He's the insurance that will get us out of town.

We'll take him with us and let Father decide

what to do with him.

That's very good, miss.

You think more like the colonel every day.

He'll be pleased to get Sherman as a gift,

all tied up with ribbons.

Then keep an eye on him.

Any word from Washington for your father, miss?

Yes, I have word for him, and the money.

Well, it's fine, the colonel will be pleased.

Can I carry the money and a message?

That's all right, Bailey, I'll just put it in my bag.

I have to tell Father. The message, it isn't written.

Ready?

On your feet, Sherman. We'll use the side door.

One wrong move and they'll carry you out

on a board.

Uh, Mr. Sherman, please don't make this

any more difficult than it has to be.

No, I don't think you'd have to ask him

twice to put a slug in my back.

That's about it, Sherman.

You're going to the colonel as a gift,

and it's up to you whether you get there

dead or alive.

Let's go.

Well, this is where it happened.

The very spot, 25 years ago during the winter detail.

I was the lieutenant then. I've never forgotten.

That's why I chose this cave here.

It's like making good a promise to men

of your first command.

Did you come that same trail, sir?

The snow was deep and the cold bitter.

Then down from this cave spring a dozen squaws, hungry,

shivering Indian women.

They wept.

They knelt in the snow and begged for food.

They pointed up to this cave and said there were

old women and children starving...

but I was a young man then, and it came quick.

I ordered my platoon to ride up with food.

My sergeant advised against it, said it was a trap.

I wouldn't listen.

I wanted to help those starving Indian women.

Then braves appeared from around those rocks

and opened fire.

It was slaughter. Only a few of us got away.

Yes, I owe them something.

That's why I wanted to start my campaign

from this cave, the way I feel about the Indians began here.

At ease, corporal.

Oh, there's coffee inside.

I've had some, sir.

Good.

Checking stores, sir.What's the situation?

Arms and ammunition are plenty,

food and water for close to a month.

You miss your family, don't you, Bell?

Well, yes, sir.

But being with you makes it worth it.

Thank you, sergeant.

I know I can count on you.

They're good men, Harmon, and loyal.

They believe in what you're doing, sir.

Yeah, when the time comes, I'll see they're well rewarded.

And when it comes, I'll be ready.

Well, your plans for a campaign

against the Indians are certainly complete, sir.

In detail.

I'm only awaiting word from my friends in Washington.

Perhaps Madge will bring those,

providing she and Bailey made contact in Laramie.

You know, I have a feeling, lieutenant,

that your interest in Madge's arrival,

it goes beyond the news she may bring.

Is it that obvious?

Around the edges.

You know, when this campaign is finished,

seems to me there should be a time for a wedding.

We'd like that, sir.

It's been a long wait.

Yes, it's been a long wait.

When a man believes in something or loves someone,

delay is hard to live with.

But I guess the nation is built by men

who take a stand, fight for what they believe in,

no matter how long it takes or how unpopular

they may be.

In the end, you're either a hero

or a scoundrel.

But you've done your best.

Yes, sir.

MAN: Colonel Barrington, sir.

Come in, corporal.

It's a signal, sir,

there's a party coming up the path.

Right, corporal.

Madge and Bailey, sir.

Excellent.

Well, full uniform, eh, lieutenant?

We must look good for Madge.

Yes, sir.

All right, get down, Sherman.

Madge.

Well, the riding must have agreed with you.

You look prettier than ever.

It's wonderful seeing you.

Have you any news for me?

Yes, I have some news and I have the money.

I knew I could count on you.

We'll talk later.

Your orders have been carried out, sir.

You have a prisoner.

Well done, sergeant.

You seem to have a knack of showing up

at the wrong time, Mr. Sherman.

He was following Miss Madge, sir.

We didn't want to leave him behind to cause trouble.

In case you're interested, colonel,

there are more than a thousand men looking for you.

And you're the lucky one to find me.

Well, actually, Mr. Sherman, I'm glad you came here.

I want to talk to you.

I don't think we've got anything to talk about.

I'll decide that, and you'll listen.

I'm gonna warn you only once.

If you try to escape or in any way interfere

with what I'm doing here,

you'll be shot without hesitation.

Bring him in.

I don't blame you for the past, Sherman,

that's why I'm giving you a choice.

Is this a recruiting speech, colonel?

In a way, I suppose it is.

As you can see, my campaign if properly

executed is bound to succeed.

Organized slaughter.

No, war.

A precise thought of civilized man.

These notes here were made during meetings

with Senator White,

with generals and cabinet members.

They backed me all the way.

That's why I'm waiting here,

until a change is made in the Military Affairs Department,

restoring my command.

If they can't find you to take you back as a prisoner,

how are they gonna find you to take you back as a commander?

Well, that's been taken care of, Sherman.

Sergeant Bailey posted a dispatch to the senator

when he was in Laramie.

Father?

Just a minute, Madge, let me finish.

Join us now, Sherman, you'll be serving

your country and yourself.

You may believe in what you're doing, colonel,

but you're wrong.

And I'm going to do everything I can to stop you.

You're a fool. I could have you shot now.

Father.Just a minute, Madge.

There's something I have to tell you.

I collected the funds that you've asked for.

Thank you, Madge, I...

But there is something else.

Senator White and the others in Washington

want you to retreat across the border into Canada,

and to await word from them there.

I don't believe it.

It's true.

A special courier contacted me

and unless you leave the country,

there is nothing they can do.

They want me to turn tail and run?

Their plan to reorganize the Military Affairs Department

has--well, it's been defeated.

No, and they were so sure...

encouraging me to go out on a limb,

then letting a handful of politicians saw it off.

We don't need them, sir.

Unfortunately we do.

Without their backing, that campaign

isn't a worth the paper it's written on.

Bailey, stop him!

Stop him, Bailey!

Stop him!

Fire!

After him!

Colonel.Are you all right?

Of course, I am.

Bring me a horse, Harmon.

I'm going to take care of Mr. Sherman personally.

Yes, sir. Sergeant.

If you're in the mood for killing,

you're gonna have plenty of company.

Sioux war party.

Get up here, Sherman, I'll take you on behind me.

How many rounds for each?

Two hundred, sir.Good.

Hold your fire until they appear below

within close range, understood?

Yes, sir.

This day will be a day of revenge for those

brave men who were killed here before.

See how Madge is doing with Sherman.

Yes, sir.

Everything all right?Mm-hmm.

We're waiting for the Indians to appear in the pass.

Another massacre by the great military hero, huh?

You'll speak respectfully of my father.

Not as long as he lives just for the sake of killing.

He's going to Canada, he'll be out of it.

Will he?

Well, even if he does make it,

he'll live for the rest of his life

with death on his conscience.

The death of hundreds of people that'll die in a war

that he started almost single-handed.

Well, that isn't true, is it, Paul?

I don't know, Madge.

I only know you'll never get him to go to Canada.

He must go.

Why must he go, Miss Barrington?

Lieutenant Harmon?

Yes, corporal.

The colonel wants you, sir. The Indians are in the pass.

All right. You be careful.

Corporal.

Huh, real noble kind of war, isn't it,

Miss Barrington?

Ambush and murder.

Mr. Sherman, to save my father,

I wouldn't hesitate to pull this trigger.

Get ready to fire.

[ guns cock ]

[ speaking in foreign language ]

Fire!

Cut them down! Don't let them escape!

Let's see some marksmanship!

They've found cover, sir, we're wasting ammunition.

Keep firing!

[ gunfire ]

Sounds like they're too smart

to fall into your father's trap.

Well, that pleases you, doesn't it?

If it'll stop your father, yes, it does please me.

White flag, sir.

Cease fire.

Could be a trap, sir.

Don't worry. I'll demand they parley up here.

They're signaling back, Bailey. You'll go with me.

Watch us closely, Harmon,

at the first sign of treachery, have the men fire.

Yes, sir.

They're probably Sioux. Who speaks the dialect?

I'm afraid Sherman is the only one, sir.

Madge! Bring out the prisoner!

Mr. Sherman's going to work for us

whether he wants to or not.

So it's you, Colonel Barrington.

At your service, Chato.

You wish to parley?

You with them?

He's my prisoner. You'll deal with me.

That is all? Five, six?

With enough supplies and ammunition to wipe out

your band, if you attempt to take us.

I would, of course, accept your surrender.

Wind blows not for you, today wind for us.

This is a military parley, not a wigwam visit.

Now if you wish to parley in your own tongue,

my prisoner here will translate.

Go make noise in tribe.

Now what is that supposed to mean?

It's better you surrender.

[ laughs ]

Inform the chief the parley is over.

Wait a minute. Why, Chato?

Why should the colonel surrender?

My braves, we go to gathering place on ridge tomorrow.

There'll be many of us there. When sun high, we ride to fight.

A battle?

Many battles, 'cause you, our braves

strike ranches, farms, towns.

Yes, war begins.

It should make you feel very proud, colonel.

I welcome it.

That kind of war will make it just so much easier for me.

Is there no way this could be stopped?

Yes, let him pay for crime.

Would you escort the colonel to the nearest army post?

I would do this.

That's enough.

I'd be a fool to surrender now.

You'd have hundreds of your own people

killed instead, is that it?

The prize of war is victory.

The cost of winning it is often taken in lives,

Mr. Sherman, but lasting peace will follow.

The parley is finished.

[ speaking in foreign language ]

I'm sorry you are with him.

If it's massacre you want, you'll get it.

Also those in cave.

Back inside, Bailey, on the double.

Keep a sharp eye on him, sergeant,

I'm gonna attend to this wound.

I'll do it.

Bring Sherman inside, lieutenant,

I want to talk over my plans with you.

Yes, sir.

You'll be happy to learn, lieutenant,

that the colonel is willing to sacrifice all of us

for his cause, including his own daughter.

Tomorrow there's gonna be 500 Indians out there.

Doesn't bother him though.

After you, Mr. Sherman.

It's what I've wanted, Madge.

Throughout the territory,

hostiles are gathering, won't be long

until everything I fought for is proved right.

You actually want a war?

It's the only way out.

Father, it's a terrible price to pay just for being right.

We'll hold our position at all cost, lieutenant.

Madge will guard Sherman.

You and I will take up rifles with our men.

Yes, sir.

Colonel, there maybe other hostiles coming.

Well, let them come.

We'll give a good account of ourselves.

I'd like to talk to you.

Going to change your mind now, Sherman?

No. I'd like to change yours.

If you rode out with Chato and me now,

we could stop those attacks by tomorrow.

I have no intention of stopping the attack.

Guard him well, Madge.

Have you ever seen a full-scale Indian war,

Miss Barrington?

Civilians, soldiers, men, women, children,

red and white, they'll all die.

Show them we're here!

[ gunfire ]

Uh-uh-uh.

Good shooting, men.

Queue all those horses, Harmon.

They'll cover you.Yes, sir.

Bailey.

Keep them busy, men.

[ gunfire ]

He made it, sir.

Prepare the cover.

[ gunfire ]

He's coming back.

Lieutenant has been hit, sir.

He needs help. Can I try for him, sir?

No, sergeant, we can't afford another casualty.

We need every fighting man we've got.

If Harmon is strong enough to fight,

he's strong enough to find his way back.

Try to pick them off.

You keep yourself from shooting me in the back,

maybe I can help him.

Father wouldn't allow you to.

So the lieutenant is killed

because of your father's stiff necked ideas, huh?

You ought to be real proud of him.

All right. Please try to help him.

Stop him!

No, he's only trying to save Paul!

Your idea?

Yes, it was.

Keep firing! Give him a chance!

It's all right, Madge.

Cease fire. We've driven them back for now.

Bailey.

Bailey.

Bailey, let me see.

Don't bother, sir. I'll be all right.

Check your ammunition, Bell. Keep an eye on them.

They'll be back.

Yes, sir.

You go ahead, sir.

You ordering me around, sergeant?

Now keep it quiet in the ranks.

I have got to patch you up.

Is it worth it, Miss Barrington?

He's a man dedicated to death.

He'll kill hundreds of people including the man

his own daughter loves if it serves his purpose.

It's all for nothing.

But I can't tell him.

What can't you tell him? Believe me, it's now or never.

I so hoped I could get him safely into Canada

before I had to tell him but...

he won't listen, he--

Darling, if it's important enough,

we can make him listen.

Oh, Paul.

Senator White and the important men backing him,

not only have they withdrawn their support

but they've branded him a traitor publicly.

I received this letter from Senator White.

Is what you told us is in that letter?

Yes.

Then you've got to give it to him.

Oh, I can't, I just can't.

If you won't, I will.

No!Madge.

He's got to know.

Sooner or later, he's got to know.

Don't talk to me about slaughter, Sherman.

Bailey is dead. Fine soldier and a loyal friend.

Better than a thousand of your redskin friends.

I'm sorry to hear that.

But like you said,

that's the risk a man takes in war.

Yes, and when I am finished, they'll never have

to take anymore risks like that.

Too many good men like Bailey have died

because of the Indians.

I've had enough of killing.

It all began right here in this very spot 25 years ago.

And this is where's it gonna end.

You daughter was afraid to show you this.

But I think it's about time you know the truth.

What are you talking about, Sherman?

This ought to make it plain enough.

"From the office of Senator White,

Washington D.C.

Colonel John Barrington, Fort Laramie.

Contents of this communication have been

made public in order to dispel rumors

that I and my associates have ever

in any way supported you on your plans

for an all out campaign of war against the Indians in the west.

It is sincerely believed by right thinking men

that your views are inhuman and if carried out

will bring disgrace to our nation.

Signed M.V. White, United States Senator."

See for yourself.

I expect you're enjoying this.

No, I'm not.

For a man who's been as wrong as you have,

I can only feel sorry for you.

Spare your pity.

I'm not just thinking about you.

What are you gonna do now? Force your way into Canada?

Make fugitives of your men? And your daughter?

No, I...

I have a different idea in mind.

You will tell them at Fort Laramie, Mr. Sherman,

that the responsibility for the Wounded Knee

massacre was mine alone.

As for the men who followed me here,

they only obeyed my orders.

Tell Madge I'm sorry for what's happened.

If I can save her life, mine won't be completely wasted.

What are you going to do, colonel?

Reece, Bell, hold your fire.

Mr. Sherman is in command now.

Colonel!

No!

His last orders were to hold your fire.

[ clicks ]

Slim!

Hello, trooper. Don't you know the war is over?

We heard you stopped it.

Well, this might come as a shock but I had a lot of help.

The Indians are talking

peace again now, aren't they, Slim?

That's the main thing.

Yeah, they sure are. Talks started this morning.

Well, what do they plan to do with those men

that went with Barrington?

It looks like the army is gonna discharge them,

for the good of the service.

Yeah, their big mistake was obeying orders

from the wrong man.

When are we going home, Slim?

I'm getting tired of staying in this hotel.

You know, I'm thinking the hotel

probably feels pretty close to the same way about you.

Like bunking with a cougar in a chicken coop.

[ chuckles ]

Well, Mrs. Cooper is taking a nap right now.

She's plum wore out from this little wild Indian.

You're the Indian! I'm the trooper!

Whoa, whoa, now. Whoa, whoa, whoa.

The fighting's over.

Let's settle down

with some nice peace and quiet, huh?

Let's get Daisy and go home.