Original subtitles

♪♪

(gunshots)

Cease fire!

Say, Kyle, two of our men are down.

Two men.

Let's go after them.

We can't, they've already crossed the border.

You know the order, sir.

Yes, I know, the sacred Afghan border.

Trust you to remind me, Mr. Kennerly.

I'm sorry, sir.

Those guns didn't sound like native muskets to me, Kyle.

They're heavy caliber Russian rifles.

I wonder if they left any cartridges up there.

I'm afraid you'll have to wait, sir.

Wait for what?

His Highness Prince Ishak Khan,

it's time for his morning ride.

(murmuring)

Ol' Prince Charming himself, huh?

He's supposed to be a prisoner.

Well, it's only house arrest, sir.

I've got wounded men, we're going through.

Hyah! (whinnying)

(crowd murmuring)

(whinnying)

Hyah, hyah!

Get away, pigs.

I'm extremely sorry, Your Highness.

It was an emergency.

Wherever Capt. Cameron happens to be,

there's always an emergency.

♪♪

Well, they're Russian, right enough.

Yes, sir, and they cost us two good men.

Sir, give me permission to find out

where those rifles are coming from.

How?

By running down a prisoner or two.

(scoffs) I know what you're thinking, Cameron.

The answer is still no.

But Colonel--

That will be all, Captain.

Yes, sir.

Oh, wait a minute, Capt. Cameron.

Gen. Melville.

On the street coming in

you openly insulted Prince Ishak Khan.

Well, wait a minute, General, I had wounded.

They're much more important to me than an outlaw prince.

Diplomacy is to be considered, too.

You caused him to lose face, his feelings were hurt.

His feelings?

Six months ago I dragged him out of Afghanistan by the ears.

He was a revolutionary then a prisoner.

All he got was house arrest.

Now he's living like a king.

Cool down, Cameron.

There are bigger strategies involved

than that small mutiny.

As head of intelligence here,

I insist on extending your viewpoint, Captain...

even if I can't broaden your mind.

Try to understand this.

Afghanistan, India: friendly.

In between, the Pataan hill tribes

who owe no allegiance to either government,

disarmed years ago.

Very few rifles among them.

Russia here,

ready to support an uprising

like the rebellion started by Ishak Khan.

The Afghan state is our friendly buffer.

We hold Khyber Pass,

the key that locks the door on Russia.

Unless Russia gets arms to the independent hill tribes,

enough arms and men to take the pass.

You give me a free hand in that border

and there won't be enough tribes left for Russia to arm.

None of us like to see men sniped out of their saddles.

It's a pity, Captain,

that you've never learned to be a diplomat.

Is that all, sir? May I leave?

Not yet.

I happen to be responsible for your undiplomatic acts.

I insist that you appear personally

before His Highness Prince Ishak Khan

and apologize for the insult.

Very good, sir.

I anticipated that attitude, Cameron,

so I took the precaution to dictate this.

It's the exact apology you'll make to the prince.

Verbatim.

Yes, sir.

♪♪

Typical rebel, that one.

Yes.

I'm afraid his attitude

is too undisciplined for this regiment.

Kyle.

Diana, looking for me?

You should know better than that.

I wouldn't disturb your father if I were you.

I just put him in a very bad humor.

How about some tea?

Sorry, I have a previous engagement.

With Kennerly? Yes.

You've been doing a good job avoiding me lately.

I assure you it was intentional.

The girl I knew in Canada wouldn't have said that.

Things were different there.

It was like a holiday, another way of life.

I never really knew you.

I guess I'm the type you have to know well

to dislike thoroughly.

It isn't a question of dislike.

It's just that I found out in time

that we're wrong for each other

in every way.

I know.

I can't balance a teacup as well as Kennerly.

Sorry if I kept you waiting, Diana.

Well, that's all right, Lieutenant.

Next time make it longer.

That colonial backwoodsman.

Won't he take no for an answer?

Don't worry, George.

He seems fairly well convinced.

Sometimes it takes a bombshell to convince his kind.

"Charity and forbearance will guide you to accept

my humbly offered apology."

What are you mumbling about?

You sound like a sick elephant.

This apology to Ishak Khan.

Melville's own words.

Gotta deliver it verbatim.

It can't be that bad, let's hear it.

"Your Highness..." Salaam once.

"Prince Ishak Khan,

I sincerely regret my impetuous act."

Impetuous.

What is this?

Well, I could edit it, I suppose.

You switch one word and you'll be doing dock duty in Calcutta.

Well, I could deliver it in pig Latin, too.

At any rate, you'll need a bracer afterwards.

How about meeting me at the Pink Lotus?

Good, I'll be there.

Your Highness Prince Ishak Khan,

I sincerely regret my impetuous act

in failing to yield the road to Your Highness today.

In the hope that your charity and forbearance

will guide you to accept, I humbly offer apology.

Is that all?

I think Brigadier Melville covered it pretty well.

You neither bowed nor salaamed

when you were brought into my presence.

The Cameron family is cursed

with a very stiff back, Your Excellency.

(gong bangs)

Shall we stop fencing, Cameron?

Your apology is accepted.

Captain...

Yes, it is whiskey.

One observes the taboos of a religious faith

only in public, for the effect on the common people.

"Hypocrite" is the word in English.

I refuse to quarrel, Captain.

I'd rather have you for a friend, Cameron.

Won't you stay and share my evening's entertainment?

(gong bangs)

You may have your pick of these beautiful little flowers.

Most of them are newcomers from Kashmir.

Go on with your business, merchant.

O Your Excellency, O Your Highness,

from the hand loom of my own family in Bukhara,

this gift, accept it from your humble slave.

May Allah protect you.

Peace be with you.

And with you, Your Highness.

Well, have you made your selection?

I am tempted, Your Highness,

but I have learned to accept gifts with caution.

(chuckles)

The life of a political prisoner

is rather dull, Captain.

The word "prisoner" is stretching it a bit, I'd say.

Well, the British are generous.

Oh, must you leave?

The girls will dance for us later.

I am a lonely man, Cameron.

I have a previous engagement.

Goodbye, Captain.

Goodbye.

"Your people ready for action

when you seize Khyber Pass.

Russian aid assured."

Gentlemen...

there's been a caravan massacre in the pass.

You're giving us the job, sir?

Since it was you who brought in

the information about the Russian rifles,

I'm giving you the chance you asked for.

Thank you, sir.

Go get those prisoners you wanted,

but remember, don't cross that border.

That's all, gentlemen.

♪♪

Troop halt.

(Cameron) The Afghan border.

No prisoners, no information.

This is as far as we go.

At ease in saddles.

(horses whinny)

Dismount!

Take cover!

Get your men behind those rocks.

Ali...

go at once to His Highness Prince Ishak Khan.

Inform him that we ambushed the British patrol in Khyber Pass

and may pick up a few more rifles.

Yes, at once.

♪♪

They're on the run, they're headed out.

Yes! I'd give anything to catch one of them

and sweat some information out of him.

I passed the order to pick up all the rifles

before we leave, sir. Nobody's leaving, Kennerly.

We're going after 'em.

You may be, sir, but I'm not.

I refuse to break general regulations,

unless it's an order.

All right, stick to the book.

How about you, Brissard?

Well, he is right, of course, but--

Sergeant, detail three men to go with me.

Don't take it too hard, Ken.

There's nothing personal in it.

Personal? Of course it is.

He rides me every chance he gets.

You're wrong, Ken.

I'll talk to you when I get back.

♪♪

Salaam, in Allah's name mercy, I beg mercy.

(gunshot)

It's Afghan border patrol.

This is one I'll have to talk our way out of.

Well, Little Brother himself.

And you too, Glass Eye.

We three together again.

Ahmed Shir, as loud as ever.

Hey, we must celebrate.

You've already celebrated, you trigger-happy loon.

On Aphridi bandits, it is open season.

You flush the game, I shoot it.

But you were poaching.

My friend's become my prisoner.

I'll take a bet on that.

But what are you doing on patrol?

The same as you.

His Majesty the Emir of Afghanistan

is just as concerned over these border troubles

as is your viceroy of India.

Well, I might have found out what these devils were up to

if you hadn't shot my prisoner.

My regrets, Little Brother.

From the saddle it looked

as if he was about to knife you.

But I will make amends.

I'm coming down to Peshawar soon, my friends.

We'll paint the town the color of pomegranate.

In a few moments it will be the time for prayer.

My men will face the source of all light,

and you poor infidels may slip back to the border.

So long, Ahmed.

We'll meet soon.

Turn and bow.

(man singing in prayer)

(murmuring)

You crossed the border

in defiance of my direct order?

Sir, we had reached the marker

when the Aphridis opened fire on us from the Afghan side.

When they broke away I felt justified

in pressing the attack regardless of boundaries.

A complaint from the emir of Afghanistan

is likely to mean court martial, do you know that?

There will be no complaint, sir. (scoffs)

You seem pretty sure.

Well, stop taking the bit in your teeth, will you?

You're not in America now,

or Mexico, wherever it is you've done your fighting.

Excuse me, sir,

I always thought it was a soldier's job

to find the enemy and then smack him down.

I won't match words with you,

and I want no more trouble.

That's all, Cameron.

Yes, sir.

I hear you were one who had a spot of action, Kennerly.

Mmm, snipers.

And we bagged one, at least Cameron did.

So, what, did you lasso the blighter?

No, he bored him to death, Major.

You couldn't have done better yourself.

Look out.

Boys. Hi, Kyle.

Ken.

Same as usual, Captain, sire?

Very good, Abdar, I need it.

Ran into a bit of trouble today, eh, Cameron?

Yes, a little.

Here's to you, Ken.

Gentlemen.

Could I have a word with you, Cameron?

Of course.

Can we forget rank for a moment?

Why, certainly.

Then I'm free to tell you.

I think you're as low as they come.

What brought this on?

You're a poor loser, Cameron.

A gentleman knows when to cut his losses.

I'm cutting in on your private life, is that the point?

That's offensive and out of place.

Why don't you tell me you want me to stay away from Diana

and get it off your chest.

That's my point.

A gentleman would never mention a lady's name

in a place like this.

Gentlemen!

Striking a junior officer.

You're not on the prairie now, Captain.

Gentlemen, the colonel!

What's going on here?

Well, uh, Capt. Cameron was showing us

a red Indian wrestling trick he learned over there, sir.

I'm afraid Capt. Cameron learned a lot of things

from American Indians that would be wise to forget.

I want no reports of any further breach

of regimental etiquette.

♪♪

Kyle?

Won't you join me?

Diana.

This is an unexpected pleasure.

Tea? Oh, no, thank you.

I need something stronger.

I missed my drink at the club.

Yes, I knew you were there.

Father told me.

British intelligence knows all, sees all as usual.

But doesn't tell all.

Some of it I had to find out for myself.

Such as?

Such as the childish scene you staged

in the club room in my name.

Has Kennerly been crying on your shoulder again?

You would think that.

I could have heard it from a dozen witnesses.

I'm sorry, Diana, but it wasn't my fault.

Really?

I suppose it was George's.

No, yours,

for encouraging the poor man with false hopes.

Not as false as you think, Kyle Cameron.

Father is announcing our engagement.

With your consent?

Naturally.

That's what I was waiting here to tell you.

I see.

It does make it sort of semi-final, doesn't it?

Absolutely final.

Diana, you're trying to run away

from your own shadow and it can't be done.

We're the same two people who fell in love in Canada.

Nothing has changed us.

Nothing ever will.

♪♪

I'm going to marry George Kennerly.

Without loving him?

Some things are more important

than what you call love.

Yes, the three essentials:

family, security, tradition.

♪♪

Here he comes,

and not happy.

Down in the mouth and blue.

Blue?

I was thinking about that old saying,

"All's fair in love and war."

Do you believe that, Ahmed?

Little brother, there is also an old Asiatic saying:

"When all is lost, turn on the cymbals,

go to the pipe, to dance."

All isn't lost yet, my friend.

Not by a long shot.

♪♪

What's it all about, Bowles?

No idea.

All right, gentlemen,

if you'll come in now, please.

What do you suppose it is?

Search me.

Wonder what it could be.

Secret weapon.

It identifies an enemy in the dark

by the color of his old school tie.

(chuckling)

Attention, gentlemen.

Intelligence has called this meeting.

Gen. Melville will explain.

Gentlemen, you're to be the first on the border

and the first in active service

to use a new weapon.

The Maxim, an automatic machine firing gun.

Automatic? No crank on the thing?

Will it fire singles, do you suppose, sir?

They tell me it will fire 600 rounds a minute.

Naturally it's a secret.

Colonel.

A full complement,

50 of these guns, is arriving Calcutta

and will be train shipped here.

This is our procedure:

new officers will be instructed

in the use of this weapon.

You will in turn train non-comms in secret.

Unfortunately, there's a delay.

An ordinance instructor cannot be spared

from London for a few weeks.

You can save time

and that ordinance fellow's boat fare, Colonel.

An American named Browning built one like this.

Excellent, Cameron, excellent.

But can you put the blasted thing together again?

(chuckles)

We taught scouts to do it.

They were Comanche Indians, Major Bogle.

Leave it to Cameron.

Always the expert, eh?

When a fellow knows, give him credit, won't you?

General?

Capt. Cameron, after your next duty,

you will be giving the instructions.

Very good, sir.

That is all.

Remain here, please, Captain.

How are you on bird shooting, Capt. Cameron?

When I aim at something, I usually hit it.

That's what I expected.

Prince Ishak Khan has become very fond of you.

I know how much you enjoy his company.

You will take charge of his guard today.

The prince is leaving town for a pheasant shoot.

Is this in the line of duty, sir?

Prince Ishak is a valuable guest of the crown.

We're interested in everything he does

or says or even thinks.

Does that answer your question, Cameron?

Yes, sir.

Left and right, the double.

You're beating me hollow, Cameron.

Best match I've had in years.

Perhaps your other opponents let you win.

Win or lose, I enjoy a little fresh air and exercise.

Birds seem to be getting scarce here.

We'll change covers.

There's rougher country, more sporting.

You couldn't flush a groundhog over there,

no cover.

I'll wager 50 pounds, English.

Come on.

♪♪

Looks like you lost a bet, Your Highness.

Quite.

I'm sorry I spoiled your sport, Cameron.

Among these tragic graves, too.

Brave Pataans lie here, Cameron,

resting where they fell.

Their pair of flags at the mercy of the wind.

Their pathetic offerings...

...a few spent bullets.

Forgive me.

A moment of emotion.

Kyle...

you're not going to the Melville dinner?

Why?

To hear General Melville formally announce Diana's engagement?

No, thanks.

It's not like you to quit under fire.

Kennerly's entitled to his turn at bat.

Make my excuses.

Oh, and don't forget to get some sleep.

There will be a long patrol tomorrow.

Right.

You sad, Cameron, friend?

No.

I provide the fragrance of Kashmir

and you sit there mooning over the English girl

and her-- her engagement party.

Wrong. I was thinking.

In the name of Allah, is this a time or place to think?

I was wondering that.

Wondering why any party would go shooting pheasants

in a graveyard.

Were these Pataan graves, my friend?

That's right.

Ishak Khan went straight to them like a bird dog.

Come with me.

This is important.

Have I offended the captain Sahib?

You're perfect.

But you'll come back?

You promise?

I promise.

Come, hurry.

These little flowers can wait.

♪♪

He moved that? That's right.

Oh, the language of deceit.

It's easy to understand.

Yes, if your mind works that way.

He was receiving a message.

It is this.

Five tribes are meeting this very night

at the village of Halil.

They plan a raid, a massacre.

Who knows?

Their design, of course, is to steal rifles.

So Prince Charming didn't get the cure yet.

There is only one cure for those ambitious to rule.

Of course you will go straight to your colonel

with this information.

No, but I'm gonna do something

these tribes have needed for 40 years.

♪♪

(knock on door)

Come in.

Rouse the sergeant major.

Silent assembly at stables in half an hour.

Salaam, Captain, sir.

Sorry to take you away from your engagement party.

It's all right, sir.

I suppose I should be grateful

that it isn't my wedding night.

You better get into your khaki,

both of you.

Have I your permission, sir,

to make my excuses to my fiancée?

By all means, but to no one else.

Is that understood?

Have you cleared this change of orders with the colonel?

I'm not changing anything.

Patrol was for this morning and it's past midnight.

I'm just jumping the gun by a few hours.

I understand, sir.

You don't break orders, you just bend them.

There are military reasons

for reaching the Aphridi hills before sunup

and no time to argue the matter

with headquarters or you.

And let's see if you can take one of my orders

without breaking or bending it.

Yes, sir.

At once, sir.

Excellency.

How near are we to being through?

Close.

Every day, every night, a few more feet.

Can I get to the end?

Only on hands and knees

for the last hundred feet, Excellency.

(gong bangs)

Your Royal Highness.

Praise Allah for your health.

Speak. You've broken into my evening.

With reason, Highness, with reason.

My friend Cameron Sahib

is aware of the gathering at Halil.

The graves.

But how could he interpret a Pataan code?

If it please Your Highness, I told him.

You told him?

Yes, Excellency.

Would not the capture of rifles

be most welcome at this time? Oh?

To say nothing of ammunition, if we're lucky.

But we haven't the arms to go against a large force.

If I know my friend Cameron,

he's at this moment making it possible

for our men to trap a small force.

Aren't you underestimating his ability as a commander?

On the contrary, Excellency, I'm making use of it.

There is only one way for Cameron

to prevent the escape of the tribesmen from Halil.

He's certain to take it.

♪♪

(cooing)

Troop halt!

Now here's the story, gentlemen.

There's a big pow-wow out there in Halil village.

It's our chance to hit them hard

and recover some stolen rifles.

Now your job, Kennerly,

will be to strike them through the back door,

the narrow canyon in that range of hills.

You're dividing the patrol, sir?

That's right, it's not in your book but it's in mine.

I don't want any of those devils to escape us.

Very well, sir,

but I'll need at least an hour

to get around those hills back to the canyon.

I'll give you two.

And when you hear our attack come and come fast.

Now take your section and move out.

Yes, sir.

Section!

Are you doing this on your own or on definite information?

Speculation and suspicion, with a rumor attached.

Man, why didn't you at least report it through proper channels?

What do you think channels would do with a rumor?

They were here in the village last night.

Where are they now?

They raid us in the night,

they drag off our young girls.

They disappear with a message.

It is always thus.

Tribe against tribe, family against family.

For the grace of Allah, have mercy.

Well, old man, looks like all you get is the bird.

They were here, all right.

They got a message and cleared out.

The bird is merely a pet for my grandchild.

Liar.

Everything is in readiness, Excellency.

They will see our decoys and charge.

None will escape.

Of all ambushes, this is the most perfect.

Good.

His Highness Prince Ishak Khan will be pleased.

There is three of them, sir.

A backdoor guard of their own, eh?

They'll warn the village.

Forward, charge!

(whinnying)

It's in the canyon.

Kennerly, in trouble.

Forward, charge!

Wiped out to a man.

They were trapped.

And I sent Kennerly.

I can pick off their leader, Excellency.

An easy shot.

No, let us be contented with half a loaf.

For Little Brother down there,

Prince Ishak Khan has special plans.

Away from here, all of you.

Only one man knew we were going to raid that village.

Who was that, Kyle?

I won't name him until I can prove it.

Bury the dead and bring the troop in.

I'm going ahead of you to make my report.

As to my defense, gentlemen,

as commanding officer I acted on information

I believed to be correct.

Technically, you're not in violation of military law.

However, a non-military matter

has been injected into this case.

Recall Mr. Brissard.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Brissard.

Mr. Brissard, we have your full testimony.

But now information of a different character has come up.

I have one question.

Yes, sir?

Did you at any time hear Capt. Cameron

use the phrase, "All's fair in love and war"?

I'm afraid I can't answer that question, sir.

On what grounds?

This is not a military matter but a personal one, sir.

I commend you, Brissard.

Colonel, I suggest the board should confine the matter

to its military aspects.

Are there more witnesses?

Yes, sir, that's quite right.

All I did was hear the order, sir.

All I did was obey them.

Very good, Corporal.

Capt. Ahmed Shir of the Afghanistan cavalry.

Captain, it was on your information

Capt. Cameron acted, is that so?

Certainly.

What soldier would have done otherwise?

If Cameron Sahib had found the village

full of tribesmen,

he would be here receiving a medal.

Capt. Cameron is no milk-faced boy,

he's a soldier.

He received word of the enemy...

and he acted.

Unfortunately, the board can take no military action

in your case, Cameron.

However, as your commanding officer,

I am requesting your resignation from the regiment.

Refused.

In that case I relieve you of duty

until further notice.

(clicks heel) Yes, sir.

♪♪

I'd rather not see you, Kyle.

The server made that plain enough.

Then why did you come?

I'd like a chance to explain.

Please, there's nothing to explain.

George Kennerly died like a soldier,

obeying orders.

Yes.

My orders.

Surely you don't believe what they tried to bring out

at the board of inquiry,

that it was a personal matter?

No, Kyle.

Thank you.

It doesn't matter what the rest of them think.

It does matter what we think.

George was good for me.

But you were right, I didn't love him.

Go on.

No one's to blame for what happened.

Still, it was the very pattern of your life

that caused it. Oh?

Fighting is foremost in your mind.

It overshadows every other emotion.

Oh, I thought you would understand.

You came from a long line of soldiers.

Soldiers, yes,

not common adventurers.

(door opens)

You came to say goodbye, of course, Cameron.

No, sir.

I hoped to make some explanation to Diana.

Diana, will you please leave us?

I'd like to have a word with Capt. Cameron.

Cameron, why don't you send in your papers?

Resign?

Not me.

Come over here and look at this.

Prussia, Sudan,

Khartoum, Africa,

Khyber.

The records go on and on.

Honors earned by the lancers, my regiment.

Kennerly's, your friend Brissard's.

Once your own father's regiment.

But not mine. That's right.

You're in it, but not a part of it.

And so, for the good of the regiment,

before you bring it a deeper and lasting disgrace,

why don't you quit?

I don't know how to quit.

Besides, I've still got a job to do.

Personal? In a way.

I was lured into a trap, General.

As a boy in Canada I was a pretty good trapper myself.

♪♪

Drown your sorrows, Little Brother.

The punishment you are taking

would turn even a good Muslim to drinking this stuff.

Why be tortured?

There are other armies, other fields.

Russia could use a good freelance officer.

Sure. What am I waiting for?

I'm just a common adventurer.

To the Russian bear.

He'd trade half his hide to control Khyber Pass.

Here's the best balm of all for a wounded soul.

Do not leave him.

I will return shortly.

♪♪

I told you to stay with Cameron Sahib.

The Englishman sleeps like a pig.

I was seeking better company.

She lies, Excellency.

It is just as I suspected.

She came to spy out the tunnel

to Prince Ishak's palace.

Your eyes have seen too much, pretty one.

Dispose of her, swiftly and mercifully.

(woman screaming)

What do you want at this hour, man?

I am conforming, sir.

Reporting through proper channels.

Then report to Col. Rivington.

This is strictly a matter for intelligence, sir.

Sit down, please.

Sir, I want to report that a friend of mine

has been plotting with Ishak Khan.

British intelligence has been aware for months

of the activities of Ahmed Shir.

And you let me carry on that friendship?

That's right.

We've also been keeping track of you,

through a girl, wearing a sash like this

but with a ruby buckle.

Yes.

I've met her.

She's also trying to find a suspected tunnel

between Ishak Khan's quarters and the town.

Tonight she found it, and died.

Where?

In the grain merchant shop next to the Pink Lotus.

The man who calls me Little Brother had her killed.

That girl was only a dancer,

yet she knew the meaning of loyalty.

She loved India.

Here are several of her reports.

Would you like to know what she said about you, Cameron?

I'd rather not, sir.

It might give you something to think about.

Listen to this:

"Danced again for the Cameron Sahib this evening."

That was some time ago.

"The captain's not hard for me to understand now.

The captain builds a hard shell around his feelings,

but since the massacre in Khyber Pass

I see terrible things in his eyes.

Soon he will reach a crossroad."

She goes on with a prediction about which road you might take.

I'd just as soon skip it, sir.

You can't dodge the truth.

Have you reached a crossroad?

Well, that was a bad mess.

And a false friend.

I'd like a chance to square things.

Cameron...

I have a proposition for you.

Ishak Khan's plans are like a ladder, they mount.

First step: raids on our patrols,

which gave him more rifles and ammunition.

Now, he's ready for the second step,

and that, Cameron, is an attempt to obtain our machine guns.

The new Maxims?

Those guns would arm a really strong force.

That brings us to the top step of the ladder,

his deal with Russia and control of Khyber Pass.

So that's why you let him run his own course.

Cameron, I'm telling you all this because,

more than any other man in India today,

you're in a position to serve your regiment.

May I have a drink on that one, sir?

We have eyes inside the palace, too.

You do a very good job, sir.

How can I fit in?

At this moment you're an outcast in the regiment.

Another serious breach on your part and out you go.

Yes, that's for sure.

And that might toss you right into the enemy's camp.

A very good idea.

Don't jump at it, Cameron.

Once inside, a moment's carelessness will be fatal.

I think I know what you mean.

Dead or alive,

failure means that no one could ever clear your name.

You'd be the man who sold out, the traitor.

Any man can go into physical danger.

But how about permanent disgrace?

Well, that's a chance I take.

I'll do it.

In Ishak Khan's palace,

there's a girl who will wear a sash like this

but with a green stone.

Your messenger? Exactly.

This girl has the means of getting a message out.

We know that Ishak Khan is aware of the shipment of guns,

but it's impossible for us to guard every mile

of that railway against attack.

Where they will hit and when

is the information you need, sir.

The train is due on Thursday.

They will raid between daylight and noon.

But where, that's the question.

Well, I'll try to get word to your messenger, sir.

Now, uh, how do I break with the regiment?

With your experience, Cameron,

that should be easy.

Infidel dogs, they have spies everywhere.

It may only have been her curiosity, Excellency,

but I could not take the risk.

Never mind, Ahmed.

Our Russian allies do not sleep.

They outwit British intelligence every time.

In this message, the Russian spies confirm

that the one great British secret is broken.

The machine gun shipment is already en route from Calcutta.

We have plenty of rifles,

we could raid the shipment and take these new weapons, but...

Go on, Ahmed.

My tribesmen are intelligent.

They're good marksmen, as you know,

but always with a rifle, Excellency.

I know, but our people are quick to learn, Ahmed.

It would take just one expert a short time

to teach them the use of these new guns.

And there is such an expert:

the adventurer.

Little Brother, Cameron.

Exactly.

Your duty is to bring your friend Cameron to our side

and, uh, to our way of thinking.

Little Brother, I suffer for you.

But you people of the West place too much value

on a very ordinary commodity.

Get to the point, will you?

I mean you value too highly the affection of one woman.

Oh, forget that, Ahmed.

My trouble is regiment,

regiment with a capital R.

All right, my friend.

So your troubles are strictly regimental.

Is it so difficult to, well,

cut loose from the military?

Desert? Ten years in jail?

What would that prove?

You could resign.

Resign? That's just what they'd like.

No, not a chance.

Come on, let's have some lunch.

The usual, Abdar.

Yes, Captain, sir.

Colonel.

In my country that would be an insult.

What do you think it is where I come from, a greeting?

It would be avenged in blood.

He'd never do that to another officer,

but I'm an outsider.

A colonial.

I'm the guy who doesn't belong.

You don't have to turn your back on me.

You know what I think of you, Cameron,

what the whole regiment thinks of you.

And here's one for the record,

the regimental record.

Hitting the colonel?

Shocking. Are you all right, sir?

Good riddance.

Shocking. Are you all right, sir?

(murmuring)

You burned your bridges a few moments ago, my friend.

Now what?

Keep going out of here

before they slap a guard on me,

out of their lives, out of the country.

And then?

Find a war someplace, I've got a sword for hire.

You do not have to look very far, Little Brother.

Not very far.

And with one stone, as the saying goes,

you could kill two birds.

Your Highness.

Peace, Captain.

I trust you slept well last night.

Safe, sound, and, uh, well-guarded.

Where's Ahmed?

He left in the night.

There is much he has to do in the mountains.

Meanwhile, let us discuss our plans for you.

You know my terms.

Afghanistan will be a protectorate of Russia

as it now is of Britain.

Your position will be secure.

You will have full army command.

As soon as the tribesmen are armed,

your first duty will be to take and hold Khyber Pass

against the British.

All right.

I go along.

And now there's one important question I must ask, Captain.

What day are the new Maxim machine guns due to arrive here?

Thursday the 10th.

On that reply, Captain, hung your life.

Well, I hope I got it right.

You did. The answer is already here.

Don't you admire our Oriental handicrafts?

Oh, yes.

This beats the Pony Express and the telegraph combined.

Tomorrow is Thursday.

At dawn you and I leave this prison of mine.

Oh, you will have your action, Captain.

Ten miles east of Wadi Kamir,

the country is ideal for a train ambush.

And now, the night will be long.

Is there anything you need?

Well, a night before a battle

a soldier likes to cut loose a bit if he can.

Good. What can I provide?

You made an offer the first time I came here.

Excellent, excellent, come.

You may have anyone you choose.

(gong bangs)

It's difficult to decide, Your Highness.

Take your time.

The one on the right.

You're a connoisseur, Captain.

That little flower is fresh from Shalimar.

Get this message out:

Railroad mind.

Attack is 10 miles east of Wadi Kamir.

Railroad mind,

ten miles east Wadi, yes.

Now how do I get you out of here?

An American kiss, Sahib.

(screams)

Dirty pig!

Cursèd of Allah.

What's wrong with the woman?

Your mouth was on hers,

a bad breach of Muslim custom, Cameron.

Take her away.

♪♪

Where I come from women, uh...

well, they're different, Excellency.

No harm, no harm at all, it's nothing.

I rather she wouldn't be punished.

As you wish.

We must leave soon.

A slight improvement before we go, Cameron.

You will change your attire.

A new and better uniform.

Cameron, you look splendid.

Sorry about that girl, Your Highness.

Bad breach of etiquette.

Oh, the guest within the gates can do no wrong.

Oh, she was harmless and innocent

and if I caused her to suffer--

(chuckles) You Westerners,

always so considerate of women.

She was sent back to her own people.

Yes, that was the full message, Excellencies.

Well done, young lady.

You're a credit to your people.

The women who helped you will be well paid.

Splendid.

Now, while Ishak Khan is concentrating on the railway,

we ship the guns by the most innocent-looking supply wagons

you can find, Rivington,

with a token guard as innocent-looking as the wagons.

They'll leave at once, sir.

Good.

♪♪

Remove the veil, Cameron.

Why?

You'll find the face of a true infidel

behind that veil.

Diana.

Why bring her into it?

Her life is my insurance

that at the last moment you will not turn traitor.

You wanted this woman and you wanted a war.

You should be very happy, Cameron.

You'll soon have both.

(cooing)

We must hurry to the meeting with your brother officer, Capt. Ahmed Shir.

Your Highness.

Little Brother.

The stage is set, huh?

Men are stationed and eagerly await

the approach of the railroad train.

Gentlemen, there's been a change of plans.

Yes, Excellency?

The British are wise, but not quite wise enough.

They've removed the guns from the train

and are taking them to Peshawar by wagon.

So, Ahmed, we must recall the tribesmen

and ambush the wagon train on the Peshawar road.

Captain, you'll proceed to Halil with the woman.

Excellency, Cameron and I are brothers in arms.

Let us whet a sabre together.

He's too valuable, Ahmed.

There will be other battles.

We need our friend Cameron whole and healthy

to instruct our men in the use of those British machine guns.

He's right, Ahmed.

I'd be a prime target for every British rifle

if I went with you.

To Halil, Cameron.

Very good, sir.

What have you fixed up with your precious friends now?

We're going into the hills.

Traitor.

You're going to have plenty of time

to think up compliments. Halil.

♪♪

(whinnying)

Kyle.

I should have known.

Get going now.

Ride back to town.

They're being cut to ribbons.

Ride then, Ahmed, and finish them off.

They'll charge us any minute, sir.

When they come we'll meet them.

Here comes one of them now.

No! (gunshot)

Stay away from that wagon.

Don't let these rags fool you.

Help me get one of these guns in action.

So you can shoot the rest of us down?

What do you take me for?

Take this and tie him to the wheel.

Don't be a fool, I'm acting for Gen. Melville.

You expect me to believe that?

Help me with the gun and I'll prove it!

All right, give him a hand.

One false move and I kill you myself.

This is the way it goes.

I hope your memory's good.

Kyle, it's too late, we'll never make it.

Here they come, sir, it's a charge.

Goodbye, my dear.

Keep him in line, if you can.

Goodbye, Daddy.

Colonel. Goodbye.

And don't fall in love with Canada,

we need you both here.

Don't let those redskins scalp you.

I won't. Goodbye, Buzz.

General.

I'll try not to overstay my leave, Colonel.

All right, Corporal.

(bugle call playing)

Pull up.

That call is to horse.

There must be trouble in the pass.

They're calling Troop A, my troop.

Oh, no, you don't, Captain.

You're under my book of regulations now.

I'll tolerate no insubordination.

Yes, General.

Drive on.

♪♪