Original subtitles

Nothin' to get riled up about, Sam.

Just a couple of fellas tryin' to catch themselves a wild horse.

Sure got themselves a beauty.

[Horse neighs]

[Horse neighs]

–Why that dirty redskin! –Hold it, hold it.

Let him catch it. Save us the trouble.

He got it. Let's go!

All right, Indian. We'll take him.

No, he's mine.

This says it belongs to us.

We been trailin' him for two days.

I've been trailing him for many days.

He's mine!

Come on, Sam.

This fella's gonna bring us top money, Dink.

–Hello, Sand, Dink. –Hondo.

You two give up, uh...

huntin' horses for huntin' Indians.

That red buck tried to steal our prize catch.

He caught that horse. I watched him.

Oh, well, that horse is the leader of a herd

we been trackin' now for two weeks.

A bunch of Apaches ran off the rest.

–That redskin was tryin' to steal our prize. –Yeah.

Maybe you two fellas oughta get into a new business.

Appears the Apaches are better at catchin' horses than you are.

Ah, look Hondo, you know we got a contract

to deliver horses to Fort Lowell.

Them Apaches, they ain't got no contract.

Well, they got the horses, Sand.

Now go hustle up your own.

An old Indian trick but a good one.

Bury yourself deep enough so he don't get the man smell and then

wait it out. How long you been there?

Since the rise of the moon.

A long time. But you got your horse.

My rope's on him.

I'm Ponce Coloradas.

(Hondo) Hondo Lane.

Any kin to Mangas Coloradas?

–He was my father. –You carry a good name.

Well, your name can stand with it.

He's a warrior's horse.

He's yours.

You got him. He's yours.

Nothing would be mine if you had not come.

Sam, it takes a lot of man to lay quiet under a foot of dirt for ten hours.

I don't think I'd want him lined up against me in anything.

Come on.

There are two things we gotta take care of, Dink.

Yeah, what's that?

An Indian and an Indian lover.

Come on.

♪ ♪

[Laughs]

Hey, Hondo!

Looks to me like you're in for a long fight with a short stick.

Any greenhorn can see that.

You better watch out for that horse. He'll chomp your fingers off

plumb up to the elbow!

I sure appreciate your help.

Any time. Any time.

I'm always glad to give advice to a young fella.

[Laughs]

Aw, it...

I sure would admire if you, uh

fellas would stand on the other side of me.

Air's a lot fresher when you're downwind.

Someday, Buffalo

someday you're gonna badmouth me

and I'm gonna tear a strip right off your hide.

Someday? Someday?

[Laughs] I surely would admire for you to start in right now, Sand.

–I'll pick my own time and place, thank you. –Yeah.

Come on, Dink.

Friends of yours?

[Laughs] Hondo, if I was dead broke

and dyin' of thirst and them fellas run the only saloon in the territory

and they yelled out "Free drinks for everybody!"

–You know what'd I do? –You'd drink.

[Laughs] I s'pose.

You're wanted in Captain Richard's office right now.

Hey, Hondo, if Richards is sendin' you outta here, take me with you.

The walls are makin' me edgy.

I know the feeling.

Kinda hot in the sun, Sergeant.

The Army don't usually play soldier out here.

General Rutledge is payin' us a visit, and when he's around

you don't play soldier. You soldier.

Hondo.

–Good to see you. –Yeah, well it's been some time, sir.

Well, things have been quiet. Let's hope they stay that way.

Uh, Hondo, I'd like you to meet General Rutledge.

We sorta met before.

Colonel Crook tells me you're a Northerner that fought for the Confederacy during the War.

–That's right. –Well, that's interesting.

Wasn't it your regiment that surrendered to General Rutledge?

Well, that's when we sorta met.

I guess I don't expect the general to remember a Confederate captain.

No...

You know, General, the tactics employed by you in that battle are required study at West Point.

Well, that's kind of you to remember, Captain.

However, right now I'm still learning myself.

I'm new out here. This is my first tour of the West.

Never fought Indians before.

Gentlemen, shall we get on with it?

With fightin' Indians?

General Rutledge is under orders from President Grant to, uh

inspect all Army frontier posts and to

improve conditions, both with the settlers and the Apaches.

You know, I may need your assistance, Mr. Lane.

I understand that you know the Apaches and this country better than any white man.

Might be a man who knows it better. He's sittin' right there.

No, thanks. Uh, I've got plenty to handle at Fort Whipple.

–It's your assignment. –Be glad to do whatever I can.

I want you to keep yourself available at all times, Mr. Lane.

–I'll let you know when we need you. –Yes, sir.

Ah, Mr. Lane

anyone who works for the Army should dress accordingly.

I work with the Army, General, not for it.

Ah, don't get all riled up, General. He's right.

Hondo works with us, and only as long as he wants to.

Yes, I know, but no one man is that important to the service, Colonel.

Well, maybe not.

But here at Fort Lowell if he ever decided to walk out

he'd leave a mighty big hole.

Talk to Cap'n?

Crook wants me to wet nurse a general from Washington.

Show him how we live, work, and play here. Somethin' like that.

Who is it?

General Ruther D. Rutledge.

Never heard of him.

Sure a fetchin' sight to watch them Injuns set a horse.

Look how smooth they handle that bunch.

'Less, of course, they happen to be after your scalp.

Buffalo, a grizzly bear wouldn't wanna bed his den with

that cactus patch of yours.

Hello, Ponce.

My friend, Buffalo Baker.

–Ponce Coloradas. –Hi.

You fellas knowed each other a long time?

–About ten minutes, but they were brim-full. –[Laughs]

Fine lookin' horse bunch you got there. You figure on sellin' 'em here at the fort?

Yes. Captain Richards said he'd buy them from me.

Looks like they're pretty well broken.

Still havin' a little trouble with that one.

Well, you would. He was the leader.

Mind if I go to him?

No, no. He'll, uh, take to the halter, but he still fights that blanket.

That's one thing that Army can't get enough of: good horses.

The War killed as many horses as it did soldiers.

Only they never knew why they died.

Captain, what kind of a contract does the Army have with the Apaches?

No contract, General.

I made an agreement to buy the horses in exchange for

clothing, food, medical supplies...

You made the agreement?

–Yes, sir. –Without going through proper channels?

With winter coming on, sir, the wild horses are going to head south.

I didn't have time to go through proper channels.

I'd say he made a wise decision, General.

There are no wise decisions, Colonel.

Only those orders clearly stated in military regulations

to be obeyed and followed at all times.

Captain

inform the Apaches we can't buy anymore of their horses

until we secure proper authority through Washington.

–Yes, sir. –Oh, and Captain

dismiss your men. Have 'em ready for full inspection in an hour.

–Sergeant, dismiss the men. –Yes, sir.

Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I'll be going to my quarters.

I thought I made the right decision.

We need the horses. The Apaches need the food and clothing.

I'll, uh...

I'll wire to Washington for approval of your deal as soon as I get back to Fort Whipple.

Well, I've got just enough to time to

have a little drink. Care to join me?

Thank you, sir. I don't drink.

–Oh, yes. That's right. –Ordinarily.

Oh.

Come on, boy. Come on.

Well, I guess it looks like you and I are gonna get along just fine after all.

Bad idea to come up behind a man in the dark.

You have the ears of an Apache

and the speed of a stallion when you draw.

Well, I guess it helps sometimes.

He learns fast.

Workin' out pretty good.

Sorry things didn't work out for you and your people.

It's this General Rutledge gave orders not to buy our horses yet.

–When? –Army regulations...

paperwork in triplicate, telegraphing Washington...

I don't know. I guess it takes time.

My people don't have the time. They're hungry.

If the Army doesn't buy our horses, we're going to have to eat them.

The Army can eat its regulations as far as I'm concerned.

Well, look who's here.

I told you I saw both of 'em.

Hey, you got good eyes, Dink.

I always did say that about you.

But you, Lane, you don't see too good.

This Apache you're with, he stole a horse from us, case you forgot.

All I can see is that you're drunk, Sand. Now get outta here.

Not drunk. Drinkin' maybe, but not drunk.

Here, have some.

Maybe it'll smooth off that rough edge of your temper.

I only drink with my friends.

–That let's us out. –No, no, it don't.

And to prove it I'm gonna do even you a kindness.

Now look, you got a remuda of wild horses and you're stuck with 'em.

I'll buy them from you.

I'll give you and your braves enough for a couple of jugs of whiskey.

Now that's a real friendly kind of deal, ain't it?

I don't sell horses to you.

Don't you walk away on me, Apache.

–I'll bury you! –Take him, Sand!

Break up that fight!

I want an explanation for this.

I'll give you an explanation, General.

That brave got a hold of a bottle, and he jumped me and my partner.

Says it was our fault 'cause he couldn't sell his horses

on account of our contract with the Army. Lane here took up on his side.

Is that true, Mr. Lane?

Part about me sidin' with him is true. The rest is a flat-out lie.

Is it? See what he's got in his hand.

Show 'em your arm, Dink.

It come off just as I said it, General.

You have anything to say, Mr. Lane?

Ponce didn't start it. They jumped him.

I didn't ask who started it. He's got a knife in his hand

and he attacked an officer.

–Sergeant, place this Indian under arrest. –(Sergeant) Yes, sir.

(Sergeant) All right, let's go.

What happens with him?

He'll be dealt with according to military regulations.

Hello, Hondo.

Shut up.

That's all I was gonna say.

Stupid and stubborn as an Army mule.

Who, me?

No, not you. General Rutledge.

Oh. [Laughs] You know I hear that ol' fella's so tough

he chews lead and spits out bullets.

Yeah. Took a good bite outta me, too.

Yeah, he chewed you out, too, did he?

You know I hear he chewed out ol' Colonel Crook

and that ain't easy to do 'cause Crook is a tough old bird.

We'll have some whiskey. A bottle.

[Sniffs]

Hm.

What's that funny smell in here? You smell it, Dink?

Sure smells bad.

–Somethin' dead, you reckon? –No, no.

It's a mite worse than that.

–Maybe it's garbage. –Yeah, yeah, that's closer.

Oh, well, now there's where it's comin' from.

Them two Indian lovers standin' upwind from us.

Them Indian lovers sure got a powerful bad smell.

Yeah, yeah. They sure do.

Hondo, I hear they're gonna haul your Apache friend

right smack dab out into the middle of the fort

and tear off some of his hide.

You gonna be here for the big doin's?

Yeah, I'm gonna be here but you're not.

I see either one of you two around this fort again

the whippin' that Ponce is gonna get'll be a preliminary to the one you get.

Now go wrangle your horses.

I tell you true, General, you put a whip to Ponce's back

and you'll be breedin' more trouble than you can handle.

He's not just another Indian.

Uh, Mr. Lane, I don't care if he's the King of Romania.

And incidentally I don't particularly care for your advice on how to handle my command.

He was an Indian fighting with a knife and he attacked me.

He's had five days solitary confinement. That's bad enough.

But he can live with that. He can still lead his people.

Still be a warrior.

But an Apache only whips a dog.

I don't care what the Apaches do. I'm concerned only with what the Army does.

The full punishment for his crime will be carried out.

General, there's one thing you oughta know about Ponce.

He's the son of Mangas Coloradas.

Some years ago the Mexicans caught him and they whipped his back.

For every scar they left he killed one hundred men

so you better think about what his son will do.

Look, General

why don't you forget Army regulations, throw away the book?

It's been done before.

Not me, Mr. Lane!

Never me!

–Why not by you? –I'll tell you why, Mr. Lane.

In the service I'm known as "Rutledge, the Book Soldier."

I'm pretty proud of that name.

Would you like to know the reason why?

Till the age of fourteen, the only life I knew was in an orphanage.

Two years afterwards I searched for acceptance somewhere.

I was looking for some place to belong.

I never found such a place until one day I saw an Army recruiting poster.

It was many years ago.

The Army became my mother, my father, my wife.

I followed their rules and regulations.

For many, many years it was the only life I knew.

I've been rewarded for my dedication.

Mr. Lane, the matter is closed.

The punishment will be carried out.

(Sergeant) Prisoner ready for punishment, sir.

Indians approaching the fort!

(Captain Richards) How many?

(Soldier) Six braves.

Probably Coloradas's men coming to get him.

Be an object lesson for 'em to see this.

Open the gates.

(Captain Richards) Detail, open the gate!

Well, I've seen some mighty stupid things in my time

but this takes the gold-plated spitoon.

You know one word from old Coloradas and this could be

a mighty unpleasant place to be.

Captain, if those savages try to aid the prisoner

order your men to open fire.

You will do nothing.

Just stand and watch.

Administer punishment!

[Whip cracks]

(Sergeant) Punishment completed, sir.

(Captain Richards) Detail, open the gate!

Well, you see, Lane? There were no incidents.

The Indian recognizes the authority of the white man.

Learned his lesson.

He can teach a lesson, too, General, and school is not out yet.

Whoa.

Why are we stopping?

We're too far from the fort. An Army post here would be useless.

I'll make that decision, Mr. Lane.

The purpose of this patrol is to find new locations for outposts.

You said you never came up against Indians before, General.

What's that got to do with it?

Well, the Apache's a peculiar breed.

He doesn't fight like any other man.

Sentries at outposts here wouldn't stand a chance against 'em.

Are you trying to give me lessons in military strategy, Mr. Lane?

No, I'm just tryin' to tell you that war is fought different out here.

Old ways don't hold up. You have to make up new rules

as you go along, if you're lucky enough to

live past your mistakes.

It's too bad you didn't sell your battle theories to the South.

I'm sure General Lee could have used your invaluable advice.

I want to inspect that terrain over there.

That terrain is no good

unless you want to get ambushed.

We pushed our luck already comin' out this far.

Mr. Lane, I'm sick and tired of arguing with you.

The Army pays you good money to scout.

Now you either earn that money or get yourself back to the fort.

General, you just made it easy for me.

If they do attack, that's probably the direction they'll come from.

Sergeant, move 'em out!

Let's go!

[Gunshots]

Well, they came from where you said.

We never even saw 'em.

He took one in that shoulder.

Tell your men to hold their fire.

The Apaches won't be seen until they wanna be seen.

Hold your fire!

Well, are you satisfied that your were right, Mr. Lane?

Right now I'll be satisfied if we get outta here alive.

Well, you were out. Why'd you come back?

(Ponce) Hondo!

(Ponce) Hondo, come out! I want to talk to you!

What does he want?

I don't know, but I'm gonna find out.

Well, it might be some kind of a trick.

No, I don't think they need one.

I saw you ride away.

Why did you come back?

Well, I guess my place is with them.

I don't want to kill them or you.

You don't wanna kill them or me. What do you want?

I want him. I want him alive.

Men like Rutledge don't surrender.

It'd be better if he died a quick, clean death with a bullet.

Guess it'd be better if we all did.

Well, that would be a needless and foolish sacrifice.

I'd like to give him to you. That's a fact.

But I reckon it can't be done.

Wait.

I said I will not kill him.

I only want Apache revenge.

I have your word on that?

You have my word.

All right.

–What did he want? –You.

I imagined that. What else?

That's all. I think you ought to accept his terms.

–You what? –Ponce wants Apache revenge

which means he wants to do to you as you did to him.

He gave his word he wouldn't kill you.

I don't care about his word. I'm not gonna surrender my command!

General, they got us ringed in. They can wipe us out anytime they want.

Mr. Lane, we're soldiers.

Our duty is to fight. Sometimes we die.

They're good men, General. I'm not gonna let you kill 'em.

Not when there's a chance for everybody to ride outta here alive.

There's nothing you can do. Sergeant!

Yes, there is.

Now you're gonna surrender.

Order your men to mount up and ride back to the fort.

I'll order them to put a bullet in your brain.

You're not gonna turn me over to that savage.

Savage?

Ponce's a prince of the Apache nation. Out here he outranks even you.

Now we got about one minute left, General, before

Ponce and his braves attack and wipe us out.

Doesn't have to be this way. You don't have to go out like this.

It doesn't have to be your last battle.

You're right, Mr. Lane. I don't have to go out like this.

I'm gonna live so I can see you hang.

Fine, that comes later. But right now I wanna put off dyin' as long as I can.

Now give that order.

–Sergeant. –Sir?

Mount the men up and ride back to Fort Lowell.

–Sir? –That was an order, Sergeant!

Yes, sir. All right, let's move out.

Danny, gimme a hand with Evans.

(Sergeant) All right. Let's go!

I'll come for him when the time is over.

Why, Mr. Lane? Can you tell me that: why?

There was no other way.

But you don't turn an Army general over to the Apaches!

The way it was I would've turned over my own father.

Can't you understand, Captain, that I did it to save his life?

Well, we gotta go after him. We gotta bring him back.

You can't go after him. They'll see you comin' and kill him before you get there.

We've got to do something, Mr. Lane!

–Wait. –Wait? We can't wait.

When it's time I'll go in after him and bring him out alone.

How long is that?

Four days.

That's the only way Ponce will have it

and it's the only way you're gonna get back Rutledge alive.

Well, you better pray that we get Rutledge back alive

because if you don't they're gonna hang you, Mr. Lane.

Well, you know you're the second one that's promised me a hangin' today.

[Chanting and drumming]

[Children laughing]

That's a death chant.

It is Grey Wolf. He is waiting for the endless sleep.

Grey Wolf is my friend.

He's lived a long life.

He lived a good one.

I have come for him. It is that time.

One last thing before you take him away.

When they whipped my father, he took revenge on many people.

Women, children... He spared no one.

I knew the same anger like my father.

when I felt the whip on my back.

I wanted the same revenge.

But it's wrong to war on children.

For me it ends here.

The women must put the lash onto him.

[Speaks Apache]

It must be done.

No Apache warrior has laid a hand on him.

Only the women and the children.

Enough. Let him go.

You...

You did this to me.

You...

It's all over now, General.

[Gunshot]

She'll be all right.

Take her inside. Care for her.

I don't think you wanted to kill a young girl.

He wanted to kill you, Hondo.

So take him away. Do whatever you wish with him.

Two riders approaching!

(Soldier) Hondo Lane and General Rutledge!

He done it.

Open the gates!

You all right, General?

Never mind that.

Get in the office. I got some orders for you.

Captain, I want you to mount every available trooper.

Have them ready to move out in one hour.

–I'm sorry, I don't understand... –You're not supposed to understand.

Just obey orders. Exactly one hour, Captain.

–What's the object...? –I'll tell you what the object is.

I'm gonna take a troop into Ponce Colorado's village.

I'm gonna take him prisoner, bring him back, try him, and then hang him.

And incidentally afterwards I'm gonna court-martial and hang you, Mr. Lane.

Ride him, take him prisoner, and ride out.

Well, it don't work that way, General. He'll fight.

That's exactly why you're going along, to convince him not to fight.

The score is even. Leave it that way.

Well, that judgment will have to be up to him.

I can't attack and invade an Apache village without provocation, sir.

I'll have to answer to Washington.

Captain, you'll answer to me!

I'll write out a statement taking full responsibility for this mission.

I'll place it on this desk.

If anything happens to me, then you'll be fully cleared.

With all due respect, sir, I think we should wait.

I don't care what you think, Captain! You just obey my orders.

Now you ready that command.

Well, he didn't learn a thing. Not a thing.

[Chanting and drumming]

Captain

deploy the men. Order 'em to keep quiet and remain hidden till I give the...

I give the word to move in.

Yes, sir.

What are they doing up there?

Burying somebody. Probably old Grey Wolf.

Yeah, but why up so high?

Why not?

I've got him this time. I've got him cold.

I'd say you do.

But he'll fight. He won't surrender.

Well, then he'd better be prepared to die.

Because I'm going to wash away some of the stink in my soul.

Men are deployed, sir.

Have your men keep their weapons at the ready.

Also be ready to charge.

(Hondo) Wait a minute.

(Hondo) What about them?

I don't make war on women and children.

It doesn't make any difference what you do, General.

They'll see their men gettin' killed and pick up the fallen rifle

sticks, stones, anything, bare hands.

They'll fight. You'll have to kill 'em.

They don't have any choice.

I was with the South

and I was there when my general offered his sword

to the Yankee general that beat us.

I saw that Yankee general refuse to take that sword.

He refused it and he gave the South back its pride.

President Lincoln gave you the Congressional Medal of Honor for that victory.

I wonder what you'll get for this one.

I don't fight for medals, Mr. Lane.

You don't fight for pride either. That's what you're fightin' for now.

Blind, stupid pride.

There's the little girl you almost killed.

Go ahead and finish the job.

Then kill her mother and her grandmother. Wipe 'em all out

to patch up your pride.

You promised me a hanging

but I'd a whole lot rather die with them.

[Chanting and drumming continue]

Captain, sound Retreat.

Yes, sir.

(Sergeant) Sound Retreat.

[Bugler sounding Retreat]

It's over.

Oh, one last thing, Captain Richards.

That arrangement you made with the Apaches to buy their wild horses...

Yes, sir?

You'll proceed with it. Pay the Indians.

I'm sure that Washington will approve of your foresight in the matter.

Thank you, sir.

I'm going to make a recommendation to Washington, Colonel.

Yes, General?

I'm going to recommend that they stop sending out men to recommend.

It seems to me you've got the situation pretty well in hand.

Thanks. We could use a little less looking into and a

little more looking after.

Mr. Lane

in the War I fought against many men

some of whom are my friends today.

After thirty years, it gets harder to recognize the enemy.

Sometimes the enemy is prejudice

pride, stubbornness.

I want to thank you, Mr. Lane.

(Rutledge) Move the men out, Sergeant.

Detail, forward, ho!

He's fought a lot of battles, Hondo.

Won most of them.

But out here he'll be remembered for the one he didn't fight.

Yeah, it's too bad they don't give medals for that.

♪ ♪