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Western Union (1941)
We've lost him. You, men, head south.
We'll take the stage-coach trail. What's the matter with you, Spider? Whoa, boy. Well, Spider, old boy. I hate to part company but... it's you or me. Howdy, stranger. Sorry, but I'm gonna have to borrow your horse for a spell. I reckon I'd better borrow your gun, too. Where does it hurt most? My ankle. Here and here. Busted rib. Somebody put the boot to you, huh? Horse fell on me. Take it easy. Sit down. Let's roll up your shirt. Raise your hands over your head. Feel better? Much. Thanks. Let's get outta here. Well, why don't you say what you're thinking? I'm not thinking anything. Come on. Take a chew of this. It'll help you keep your mind off the pain. Thanks. Come on. Me, a Santa Claus. -What's that? -Nothing, nothing at all. This is the stage depot. They'll take care of you. I'll still need your horse. You're welcome to it, and anything else I have. Forget it. What's going on here? Don't look like one of them, does he? I never seen this fellow before. -What do you want? -What's your name, stranger? -Edward Creighton. -What you doing here? -Surveyor. -Surveyor? Yes, I work for Western Union. -What's Western Union? -A telegraph company. We're going through here next year on our way to the coast. I guess he's all right. Anything wrong? We had a bank holdup at North Platte today. We killed one of them and the rest of them scattered. Looks like we've lost them, now for good. -She's here, Mr. Creighton. -Oh, good. Are you ready? I think so, Bert. Now if I can just manage to navigate on these things, Bert. I reckon you'll be back this way with that telegraph line before long. If everything goes right, I will. I do a little trapping now and then so I was wondering... how much it would cost to send my pelts into Omaha by telegraph. You can't send pelts by telegraph, Bert. -You can't? -No. All you can send is writing. Then the telegraph ain't gonna do me any good. Bert... I can't repay you for your kindness, but... ...this may help a little. -Thanks. Folding money! Can you manage all those things yourself? Oh, yes, Sir. Better let me take that, too. Woody. Woody, I want you to have this along with my thanks. Gosh, Mr. Creighton, thanks. Goodbye, boys. I'll see you next year. -Get up! -So long, Mr. Creighton. -Nice fellow. -Yes, Siree. You don't believe what he said about that telegraph coming through here... ...do you? -Of course not. There ain't no such thing as a telegraph no how. But he's a right nice fellow, just the same. He sure is. Look what he give me. -His watch and chain! -Yes. What does a fellow that goes to bed at sundown... and gets up at sunup want with a watch? Well, it's a mighty pretty thing to wear. Sounds nice, too. Yes. Across the plains the pay for drivers, diggers... pole men and timber cutters is two dollars a day. And when we hit the Indian country, it's three dollars.... and every man supplies his own gun. O.K? What do you mean O.K? That's telegraph talk. Means all right. If the Doc here passes you, you buckos have got yourself a job. You'll do. You'll do. Stand up, son. -Nice withers. -I ain't no horse. You'll wish you were before you're through. Feels like you got a slug of lead there, partner. -Forty-four? -Indian arrowhead. It don't bother me none. Some members of the medical profession like to cut them out... but I say let them stay if they're that comfortable. You know this country we're going into? Weren't a hundred miles from here I lost this hair back in fifty-six. A neat bit of surgery that. What's ailing you? Did he say a hundred miles from here? That was five years ago. Nowadays we don't see no Indians this side of Cottonwood Springs. Then you and me start drawing down an extra dollar, eh? Speak for yourself, stranger. When I get back to St. Joe, I figure on keeping my hair... instead of telling the folks how I lost it. Indians don't always scalp a fellow. Not if the fellow scalps them first. This ain't for me. I've got to have peace and quiet when I'm preparing my victuals. -Are you a cook? -For twenty years... with the same head of hair. And I intend to be for twenty more. -Gents, I bid you good day. -Hold him, Doc! -Doctor Murdoch! -Yeah? Mr. Creighton says he don't need these no more. Put them down. Go down to the cook-house... and tell that good-for-nothing poisoner he's fired. Can you cook lamb? There are nine different ways to cook mutton and I know them all. -Boiled, stewed, fricasseed. -Never mind that. Do you cook it with the hair on it? -I should say not. -Hurray! -Then you're hired. -No, no! And your job is to see that he stays hired. Remind me to show you an old Indian way to cook prairie dog. Oh, no. I should have stayed in St. Joe. -Hello, Mr. Creighton. -Oh, hello, Bert. -Where's Miss Creighton, Pat? -She's, over at the corral, Sir. We're buying some new horses today. How many have we, Bert? Who's that with my sister, Pat? The fellow I hired to do scouting and take charge of the livestock. -Hello Sue. -Edward, darling! Don't tell me you've given up telegraphy for a corral? Edward, I'm so glad you're back. What's the doctor in Washington say? Why, he says I'm fit as a fiddle. I could walk from here to Salt Lake on my hands if I had to. I'm so glad. Shaw, this is Mr. Creighton, the big boss... the only man around here you have to be polite to. I'm glad to know you, Shaw. You've got to take a lot of horses and cattle a long way. -Do you think you can manage it? -I think so. Good. Come on, sis. You're supposed to be a telegrapher, you know. -Goodbye, Mr. Shaw. -Goodbye, ma'am. What's the rush, Shaw? We're not leaving here for a couple of days. I'm leaving tonight. -Why? -You know why. I like being alone. The best place to be alone sometimes is in a crowd. That's the way I figured it, till I ran into you. There's a good chance for you in Western Union. Is there? I think so. It's up to you. You don't owe me nothing. How could l? I never saw you before. Glad to meet you, Mr. Creighton. Here. Take a good chew of this. -Helps keep your mind off things. -Thanks. Whoa. Would you mind holding my horses for me, old man? Thank you very much. I'd like to see Mr. Creighton, please. -Next office. -Thank you. -You spell dude D-U-D-E. -That's the way l... No, E's a single dot, like that. -You put a dash after it, like that. -I did nothing of the sort. Besides, I don't even know what you're talking about. No, but I know what you're talking about. Next time let's talk about... Mr. Creighton? -Yes, I'm Creighton. -Richard Blake, reporting for work, Sir. How do you do, Mr. Blake. I was expecting you by stage. The stage was so crowded and bumpy that I bought a spring wagon... ...and drove the last leg myself. -Why, yes. -Much more comfortable that way. -Quite. Mr. Blake, I want you to know Homer Kettle, my assistant. -This is Pat Grogan, our foreman. -How do you do, gentlemen? -How're you, sonny? -Glad to know you, Blake. The last leg of your trip must have been rather lonesome. Well, I didn't mind that as much as I did the dust. I could do with a bath. A bath? Yes. Don't you approve of them? Well, if the weather's hot and you're near a river. I ain't got a thing again them. What type of work would you prefer to be assigned to, Mr. Blake? Why, anything at all. I had some engineering at Harvard... and I know the Morse Code inside out. I think we can figure out something. For the present, why don't you run on over to the hotel and... take your bath and we'll have a little talk later. Thank you very much. Good day, gentlemen. ...and you, too. -Well, the... Aw! -Oh, Mr. Blake. -Yes? -I'm sorry. -Sorry? -Because I understand Morse Code? -Yes. No, I mean l... You'll have to excuse me. I have work to do. Well, anyway, I'm happy to have met you, Miss Creighton. You are the big boss sister, aren't you? -Yes, but how'd you know? -How did I know? You both have that intense look. Does the great Western outdoors do that to you? No, it's people we meet from the East. Some people you meet are going to insist on meeting you again. So I won't say goodbye now. Whoa, there. Whoa. Whoa, whoa, whoa! There, see? Thank you very much. By the way, could you direct me to the hotel? It's on Main Street. Take your first turning to the right and go down two streets. Thank you very much. Just a minute, young man. -Do you know who I am? -I haven't the faintest idea. I'm the Provisional Governor of the Territory of Nebraska. You are? When you come up for reelection I'll vote for you. You don't vote for a provisional Governor. He's appointed by the president. The next time I'm in Washington, I'll put in a good word for you. Watch out! Would you mind telling me what that was that just passed through here? That is the son of tough old Arad Blake... who made a fortune hauling freight through the Cumberland Gap... ...in the 30s. -Arad Blake! -That? -Yes. His father thinks a job with Western Union'll make a man out of him. Make a man. When I was back East, Arad gave me fifty thousand dollars for the line. I see. You got the son with the money. Good heavens. Do you see what I see? Well, here I am. All ready for work. So I see. Where'd you get that outfit? -In town? -Oh, no, New York. I wanted to be sure of the fit. -Not bad, huh? -Blake, this is Shaw, our scout. -How do you do? -Howdy. Well, a nice looking bunch of horses you have here. Glad you like them. -Do you ride? -Oh, yes. Yes, indeed. Them ain't livery stable animals. Some of them are pretty wild. Well, that's the way I like them. Would you mind picking out one for me? I'd be delighted. Take that black one over there. -This way, please. -Excuse-me. Somebody better call Doc Murdoch. He don't mean it! He's just fooling! Go on! Stay with him! Whoa! Whoa! Steady, steady boy! Whoa! Steady. Steady, boy. Yeah. Nice animal, gentlemen. You haven't anything else you'd like me to try? No. A little present for you, Homer. -He's quite a talker, ain't he? -Quite a rider, too. -Hello, Mr. Blake. -Hello. -My brother isn't in right now. -That's good. -Won't you have a chair? -Thank you. Evening, Mr. Blake. Hello. Well, I guess I'd better be running along. So soon? Well, I just thought I'd wish you a happy Fourth of July. But that's tomorrow. Well, I thought I'd be the first, but I see I wasn't. Was that what you came for, too, Mr. Shaw? Uh huh. Well, I reckon I'd better be going along, too. Good night... both of you. Thanks for dropping by. Good night. -Adis. -Good night. I didn't have a chance to tell you before... but you did all right today on that bucking horse. That wasn't so bad. They gave you the worst critter in the lot. You always do that with every tenderfoot, don't you? Depends on the tenderfoot. Well, I'm sorry I disappointed all of you... but I was riding horses before I could walk. -Good night. -Good night. You going my way? A transcontinental telegraph line... has long been the dream of Americans. Now it is to become a reality. A great reality that will eventually... triumph over hardship and privation. It now gives me great pleasure... to present the chief Engineer of Western Union... Mr. Edward Creighton. Hurray! I've just received a message here, which... better than any words of mine, will explain the urgency of our task. "Allow me to wish you Godspeed on a journey... that will do much to help this Union in its hour of greatest need. It is imperative that our Government... have quick communication with the West." The message is signed "Abraham Lincoln". Let her go, boys. You're happy, aren't you? Every man is when his dream begins to materialize. I know. It's things like this that make some women wish they'd been born men. Well, don't forget you've got a job to do, too. -Goodbye, Sue. -Goodbye, Edward. God bless you. Something tells me I'm going to miss dear old Omaha. Me, too. I hate to say it, Miss Creighton, but I'm afraid this is goodbye. Goodbye, Mr. Blake. You'll take care of my brother, won't you? I'll do my best, ma'am. Don't you want him to take care of me, too? I'll do that, too. -Adis, Miss Creighton. -Goodbye! I'm leaving Cheyenne I'm off the mountain Goodbye, old Paint I'm leaving Cheyenne Goodbye, old Paint Hey! Hey! Stop that hollering and watch where you're going. Five miles from Omaha and I'm a cripple already. Come on there. Men, we're doing fine. Eleven miles in two days... but we've got to do better. This is prairie country. We've got to make every minute count because... soon we're gonna hit the hills and we're liable to run into trouble. Now that's all. Let's turn in now and get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow we'll get at it again, bright and early. Steady. Steady. -Hello, Mr. Shaw. -Evening, Miss Creighton. Well, I didn't expect to see you. Is there anything wrong? No, nothing wrong. We're just a few miles out... ...so I sort of thought that... -Good. -Sit down. -Thanks. You see, I had some unfinished business here and l... Good evening, Mr. Shaw. I had some unfinished business, too. Hello. Well, at least you two'll have company on your ride back. Get Doc Murdoch, quick! -Is he hurt bad? -He's pretty badly hurt. Herb! What happened? Indians got the cattle. -We did the best we could. -Sure you did. Where's Frank? They killed him. Here's where you and me start getting that extra dollar. Bullet went right through you, Herb. Hadn't ought to be no trouble at all. Let's get him to my tent, boys. I'll have more light to work by. Come on, grab hold, Cooky. He won't kick you. Too bad. Herb was a real nice fellow. -He isn't dead yet. -No, but I got a week's wages'... ...says he will be before morning. -I'll take that bet. Right. -Pat, did they get all the cattle? -That's what they say, Sir. I can't figure this out. This is Pawnee country... and Pawnees don't go after cattle when there's plenty of buffalo. -Well, do you think it was rustlers? -Don't know. I'll go have a look. -How many men do you want? -None. You don't expect to bring back the cattle alone, do you? I don't expect to get an Indian war started either. First thing we gotta find out is what sort of game we're sitting in on. All right. -Double the guard tonight, Pat. -Yes, Sir. Come on, Homer. I want you to call Fort Kearney. Shaw! Wait a minute. -You going after them? -Yes. If you don't mind, I'd like to go with you. Sorry, but this is one job we don't trust to a tenderfoot... no matter how good he is. How is he, Doc? Better luck next time, Doc. Reach and turn around slow. Vance! Jack. -Howdy. -Hello, Vance. Howdy. We knew you'd come back sooner or later. Well, we kind of missed you since that little affair at North Platte. -Where you been? Missouri? -No, Omaha. -Omaha? Wasn't that a little risky? -Not very much. My face isn't as well known as yours. What're you doing out here? Working for Western Union. I came to get those cattle you rustled. What do you mean, "rustled"? We're soldiers now, fighting for the Confederacy. Them clothes you got on don't look like no uniforms, to me. Course not. We're guerillas under orders from General Moseby. Did he order you to dress up like Indians and steal cattle? As far as you're concerned, yes. These here are my raiders, just like Moseby's got. I do whatever I think'll help the cause along. You might help the cause by going down south and joining the army. You talk like you forgot where you was born. You come from Missouri, same as me. Are you going against your own people? When they turn against their own country... ...they ain't my people any more. -Well, they're mine... and they don't want this Yankee wire strung. And as long as I'm alive, it ain't gonna to be. You wouldn't be making a little money out of your fighting... ...would you? -Why, sure, there's money in it. We sort of combine business with pleasure, so to speak. I want those cattle, Jack. You know what you're going to have to do to get them, don't you? -You win, for now. -Wait a minute. How do I know you won't tell Creighton about us? You don't. -Supposing I don't let you go? -Why don't you stop me? Go ahead. Adis, Jack. What do you think he'll do? What can he do the way things are? -Mr. Creighton -Yes? Those heathen savages sure cleaned us out. What am I gonna tell the men when they start yelling for dinner? Herman, tell them we'll get some more beef just as soon as possible. That's a mighty indefinite answer to give to a hungry man. They'll have to tighten up their belts for a day or two. Did you ever try telling that to a fellow... after he'd sat down to the table and tied his napkin around his neck? I did. Just once. -Unsaddle and feed him, Joe. -Want him rubbed down? I'm gonna do that myself. -Did you find any traces of them? -They're up the river twenty miles. -Indians? -Yes. -We'll get some men together and... -I wouldn't. They're a bunch of Dakotas a couple of hundred in the party. I talked to them. Don't they know they're inviting trouble by stealing our cattle? They know there's no cavalry around here. I tried to reason with them, but they wouldn't listen. My advice is to charge the beef off to Indian good-will and let it go. As I was boss of the herd, I reckon it's my fault they were stolen. The best thing I can do is quit and clear out. That's nonsense, Shaw. You can't be held responsible for something like this. Besides, I need you. You're the boss. -Sue! -Hello, Ed. -Hello, Mr. Shaw. -Howdy, Miss Creighton. -Hello. -Hello. What in heaven's name are you doing out here? Why, I'm the new operator you sent for. Are you responsible for this? Well, I telegraphed Omaha... but I didn't know who they were going to send. I'll bet you didn't. Seems very much as if nobody wanted me. Driver, when does that eastbound stage pass here? ln an hour or two. You're going right back to Omaha, young lady... and you're going to stay there until I really send for you. I can't help it if you send me back... but it was worth the trip just to see you. Now, now. None of that. I'd like to show you our thriving metropolis. You really need a guide to get about, you know. Very nice of you, Blake, but I want you to go ahead with the wagons. -But... -Shaw, you'll be responsible... for Miss Creighton while she's here. and seeing that she gets safely on the eastbound stage. It'll be a pleasure, Sir. Well, I must be off, it seems. -Goodbye, Miss Creighton. -Goodbye, Mr. Blake. -I'm sorry you couldn't stay. -So am l... but then that's the telegraph business for you. Sue. -Is he responsible for this? -No, not altogether. I just wanted to see you. Honest I did. We're going to be in Salt Lake before you know it. -Oh, I hope so. -I've got to go now. The men are waiting at the head of the line. So soon? I've a thousand things to ask you. And I've got a thousand things to do. -Goodbye, dear. -Goodbye, Edward. Remember, the next time I pay you a visit... that I'm your only sister and that I love you. Yes. I think he's a great man. The whole family's sort of great. It's coming. What is it? It's message from my brother at the end of the line. He says "Haven't you gone yet?" -What did you say? -"No." Thank you. It's beautiful. My brother says it looks like me, but, of course, he's prejudiced. No, ma'am, not this time. This way. Sort of quiet with Western Union gone. It'll be fifty years before Sinking Wells has so much excitement again. Like me, after the stage leaves. I hope I haven't said anything I hadn't ought to. You haven't. I know I haven't a chance against somebody like Blake, but... Hadn't you better let me decide that? I should've met you a couple of years ago. Why? Since then I've made some mistakes. Mistakes can be corrected. Not always. Does this here stage connect with the railroad that goes to St. Joe? -She sure do, Partner. -Mister, you got a passenger. How's about you and me taking a little walk to work up an appetite? But I don't feel like walking and I don't feel like eating. Just the same, that's what you're gonna do. I may not be seeing you again. Don't say that. We'll meet in Salt Lake. Maybe. Anyhow, I'll be thinking of you. This might help you. Goodbye. Goodbye, Sue. Get up. Shaw! Looks like we got company. Mount your horse and warn the others. Hurry! Jimmy! Eddie! We're moving back to the main camp! Indians! Get your guns and fall back! Indians coming! What's the matter, sonny? You look a mite bit peaked. A bunch of Sioux coming! Ain't you traveling in the wrong direction? I've gotta warn the men at the main camp. I'm just about to make this connection. Maybe it'd be quicker if you warned them by telegraph. That is, unless you're anxious to get outta here. Pull over, Partner. Get up! Get up! You handle the key and I'll make the connection for you. Come on. Hurry up. Don't you worry, sonny. I ain't gonna let them Indians get you. Swing your wagons so we can get behind them if we have to. We'll make our stand here. -Mr. Creighton! -You gone crazy? Indians are raiding the head of the line. Indians! They're raiding the head of the line. No. You stay here, Pat. I'll go. They're on their way! -Put it away. You won't need it. -I'm not so sure. I am, and until Mr. Creighton gets here, I'm boss. Take it easy. They'll stop. How. How. -Whiskey? -No Whiskey for Indian brother. -You give whiskey. -No got. Me look. Let'em alone. Why, you drunken heathen. If I had my way, I'd blast their dirty heads off. Steady. -Hey, put that down. -Stay where you are. I'll get it. Good! Can't have. Me keep. Good medicine. No keep! Stop! I can handle him. Yippee! There they come! I ought to take you apart. I suppose that's the thanks I get for trying to help you. Whenever I need your help, I'll ask for it. If you ever get my help again... you'll have to get down on your knees and beg for it. Indians are raiding the main camp! -Thanks, Charlie. -You're welcome, Doc. I think you're gonna lose this patient. Not if I'm as good doctor as you are with that hatchet. I wouldn't mind so much if he was only an Indian, but he ain't. What? No Indian ever looked like that. I've got to keep this fellow alive. Mr. Creighton'll want to ask him a few questions. Doctor. I got to have medical attention and I gotta have it quick. -Are you shot, Herman? -No, I ain't. What's the matter with you? This is private, and it's gotta be kept private. Well, our white Indian didn't make it, Mr. Creighton. Did he say anything before he died? He called me a few bad names while I was sewing him up. Have him buried immediately. I don't want the men to know for the time being. He's being slapped with a spade right now. -What do you think of this, Shaw? -I don't know. -You got any ideas? -No. You said those Indians that you met today were drunk, didn't you? Yeah. A white man disguised as an Indian participated in the raid. That means white men have got the real Indians drunk... and talked them into attacking us. They ain't all Yankee out here, you know. Apparently not. You sure those Indians that got away with our beef were Indians? They looked like Indians to me. All right, that's all, boys. Now go on about your jobs as if nothing had happened. Shaw, you're taking over Grogan's job as foreman. I don't have to tell you what a responsibility it is. Thanks, Mr. Creighton, but I can't take that job. I haven't had the experience. You've had more experience than any man in the outfit. I want to, only... You're not going to let me down at a time like this, are you, Shaw? Somebody has got to take charge of things and pick out some new horses. I can do that. There ought to be sixty or seventy head in Sage. Then you'll take the job? If that's the way you want it, Mr. Creighton. That's the way I want it. We'll go into town tomorrow. We'll buy up whatever we can. -All right. Good night. -Good night. May I talk to you for a minute, Sir? Of course. I don't like to butt in, I think we're making a grave mistake. -Yes? -I know you have great faith in Shaw. You've just made him foreman and no doubt he deserved the post. Come to the point, Blake. Well, it seems to me if we ever want to get this wire strung... we'll have to act differently than we have, up to now. What do you mean? You know I'm not looking for a fight or trouble, but... look what happened to our cattle. Look what happened today. I suppose Shaw knows his business... but he let those Indians manhandle us... you'd think he was encouraging them to strike at us again. However I guess there's a lot about the West I never will understand. Good night. Good night. Well, I don't think we'll have to go any farther. Come on. Howdy, Vance. Howdy, Jack. You're Ed Creighton of Western Union, ain't you? That's right. My name's Jack Slade. -Nice bunch of horses, ain't they? -Very nice. You wouldn't be in the market, would you? I might. How much do you want for them? Five thousand dollars and help yourself. Our camp was raided yesterday by Indians. They got most of our stock. Then these ought to be just the thing for you. They ought to, they're ours. I said they're ours. They were stolen from us. Now look here, Creighton... you wouldn't accuse me of being a horse thief, would you? No. I'll wait till I've heard your explanation. I got these horses from a bunch of Indians. -They didn't say where they got them. -You didn't ask. No, I didn't. And in this country when you call a man a horse thief... you better have some proof. I bought these horses in good faith. I aim to sell them the same way. I guess I'd better see the law about this. You'll have to go back to Omaha if you do. -It don't run beyond there. -I'll make some of my own. That wouldn't look so good, would it? Western Union stringing up white men for what a bunch of Indians did. You've got all the answers, haven't you? Shaw there might be able to give you a few more. He knows this country inside out. What he says makes sense, Mr. Creighton. At least it does out here. All right, I'm going to give you that five thousand dollars... because I've got a lot of work to do and no time for fighting. I'm paying on the assumption that 5,000 dollars will buy you off. If you bother Western Union again, the next payment will be in lead. Is that clear? -Now listen, Creighton... -Make out a bill of sale. I'll meet you at the saloon in fifteen minutes. You two seem to know one another pretty well. Yeah, we do. -Old friends? -More or less. We were both raised in the same corner of Missouri. -What'll you have? -The bill of sale. There it is. All right. Here's a draft on the Bank of Omaha... for five thousand dollars. You can cash this by telegraph if you want. Oh, no. I trust you. I suppose you deal in cattle, too. Well, I ain't lately, but if you're in the market... Just a question. Well, Mr. Creighton, you're a right good man to do business with. But only once. Five thousand dollars! Did all right by that outfit. Yeah, and I ain't said goodbye to Mr. Ed Creighton yet. -No? -No. But, first of all, I want to take a drink to the Confederate States of America. If there was no Confederates, there wouldn't be no war. Ain't that something to drink to? -Yeah, but I think... -You know... a good thing can be made to last a long time if you don't spoil it. Besides, I'm a patriot. Halt! Are you Mr. Creighton? Yes, I'm Creighton. I'm Captain Harlow, from Fort Laramie. -How do you do, Captain? -I'm afraid I've got bad news for you. Chief Spotted Horse of the Ogallala Sioux has sent in word... that you can't build any more line through his nation. No? Why not? One of your men wounded his son yesterday. They were drunk, Captain. They raided our camp afterward and they killed several of my men. Spotted Horse says none of his Indians killed any white man. Some renegades got a few of his young bucks drunk... and talked them into a horse-stealing raid to get some more whiskey. The renegades did the killing. So the chief feels that white men are to blame. -Who are the renegades? -Spotted Horse says he doesn't know. Indians or not, I'm going ahead with the line, Captain. -The Government is counting on it. -I realize that, Mr. Creighton. Washington has already notified me to help you all I can... but most of my troops have been ordered to the army of the Potomac. Besides, an Indian war means a massacre. You wouldn't want that. -Of course not. -We have Spotted Horse's brother... at Fort Kearney as a hostage for the good behavior of the Ogallala. I might try putting a little pressure on him. -Maybe in two or three weeks... -I can't wait. See, winter is almost here and from now on every day counts. If I could talk with the Chief perhaps I could change his mind. I'm afraid that's too great a risk. After what's happened you'd have to... go into his territory alone or with a couple of men, and unarmed. Even then, there's no telling what he might do. We've got to take that chance and with your permission, we will. Thank you. Come on! -Mean looking devils, aren't they? -Just don't get your wires crossed. Whatever we do, we got to do quick. Indians can't stay interested in one thing very long. That's him. Hook up your wires. -How. -How. He says you come in peace today, but there won't be any peace... if you try to take the singing wire through the Ogallala nation. Tell him the Great White Father who speaks over the singing wire is... sorry for the wounding of his indian son... but that the lightning talk is strong medicine and it must go through. He says the Ogallala doesn't believe the singing wire's strong medicine. Ask him if he'll let ten of his strongest braves... hold the tongue of the singing wire... that is, after we've proved it's harmless. He says yes. He wants to know why we pour water on the ground. Tell him we must make sacrifice to the Rain God... who's brother to the Lightning. Spotted Horse sees the connection between the Gods. Now hold the wire, Shaw, and explain to him that it's... good medicine for us, but it's bad for our enemies. Let them have it. That's enough, Blake. He says the Great White Father's lightning... is the strongest medicine they've ever seen... that the singing wire can go through his nation in peace. Tell him I promise that the singing wire will make good medicine... for the Ogallala against their enemies. He says peace, peace. Now let's get out of here before they have a chance to think it over. I was sure everything was going to be all right from the first. -Weren't you? -Of course. Never gave it a thought. Barney, get up there! Boys, I've called you to give you some good news for a change. We've practically licked our job. We're on the last leg and the finish is almost in sight. You fellows have all done a great job. ln Salt Lake City, everybody gets two months' pay as a bonus. And tonight, double portions of grub for everybody. Come and get it. Come and get it! Jack wants to see you, Vance. -What for? -It's a matter of life and death. He had an argument with a fellow over in Elkville and the fellow... plugged him in the stomach. -Where is he? -Only a couple of miles from here. All right. I'll meet you on the other side of the camp. All right. Sorry, Vance, this is orders. Come on. Get the horses, boys. Hi, Vance. Now don't look so blamed sore. I got you up here to save you from a roasting. I'm going to burn out Western Union tonight. Didn't want you to be a part of it. -That's mighty white of you. -Well, you used to be one of us... and as far as I'm concerned, you still are. You kept your mouth shut and played square. I didn't wanna see you hurt. Get hold of yourself, Jack. You can't fight a thing as big and as important as Western Union. -Why, it's plumb loco to... -No, it ain't, to me. If this thing don't work tonight, something else will. I'm gonna stop'em if I have to cut down every Yankee pole... between here and Omaha. Now, are you gonna be with us or not? Jack, I want to give you some of the best advice you've ever had. -Yeah? -Let Western Union alone. I'm not gonna let them alone 'till they've paid ten times over... for every foot of wire they're stringing. This is better than owning a gold mine. Steal their cattle, steal their horses, burn them out. When they need more wagon, more horses, more cattle... ...we'll be on hand to sell it to them. -You're a fool, Jack. You can't go against a thing as big as this without getting hung. Maybe I will, maybe I won't. If you've got any sense, you'll string along with us. I'll tell you what I'll do. You come along with us, and I'll cut you in for half of my share. -It's a bargain on one condition. -Yeah? That you agree to give up this bonfire business... and come back to Missouri with me. We'll join up with General Moseby and be real guerillas. Tie him up, boys, and tight. Sure you won't change your mind and come with us? -Not this trip. -All right. Come on, boys. I looked everywhere, Mr. Creighton, but I can't find him. -All right. I'll see him in the morning. -Good night. Good night, Joe. -You looking for Shaw? -Yes. I saw him ride out of camp over an hour ago. This timber's so dry it'll burn up like paper. Be sure you circle the whole camp. Fire! Fire! Everybody out! It's a forest fire! Forest fire! Come on! Blake! Come on! Get up! Get out! Come on, everybody! Take the horses out of the corral and hitch them up. Hurry! -Get all this on the wagons. Hurry! -It's warm tonight. Never mind that. Get the insulators loaded. Blake, come here! Give me a hand! The road's blocked. Head for the lake! -Where do you want him, Doc? -Ambulance. Come on, you fellows, get out of here. Look out for that tree! You can come back for more. -Charlie. -I'm so tired. What's the matter, Herman? A little accident? No. When the fire started licking at his boots.. he ran clean up out of his britches. Come on, now, Cooky, behave yourself. Here, eat your stew, like a good boy. Here. This is a nice little piece. Come on. Isn't that good? I didn't think you got back in time to get burned. -You're next, son. -Shaw, come to my tent. I want to talk to you. Thanks, Doc. -Ever see this before? -No. Shaw, for a long time I've been expecting you to tell me something... but you didn't. I've given you every chance. The only conclusion I can draw now is I was wrong about you. You know I didn't say anything when the cattle was stolen... and I didn't say anything about that horse deal in Sage... but your absence last night is something I won't put up with. Now, once and for all, I want the truth. All right, pack up your things and get out. -Is that all? -Yes. Well... -I see you're clearing out. -Yeah, for good. After I go, there's a favor I want you to do for me. A favor? For you? Tell Mr. Creighton Jack Slade's my brother. Your brother? I wanted to tell him myself, but when a fellow's your own brother... there ain't much you can say. I'm going into Elkville on a little business. Tell Mr. Creighton not to worry. Jack won't bother Western Union any more. -Give me a shave. -It's a pleasure, friend. He's lose, Jack. And he's here now looking for you. -Alone? -Yeah. -We'll stay here. -All right. If you'll excuse me, I think I'll go and have dinner. Put that cloth around me and get to work. But my wife is a stickler for punctuality, and... I live way over on the other side of town. -Shut up and do as I tell ya. -Yes, Sir. And be careful you don't nick me if you know what's good for you. Oh, no, Sir. There he is. -Maybe he didn't see us. -He's seen us all right. I know Vance. -What are we gonna do? -That depends. We'll see. Here he comes. Howdy, Vance. Howdy, Jack. -Did you come to join us? -No. I'm gonna give you an even break, Jack. It can't go on this way any longer. It's got to be either you or me, so... get up and take that apron off. -Blake. -Well? Makes a nice sound, doesn't it, coming across the continent? -It's music. -I wish Shaw could hear it. It's a long way from Salt Lake City to Boot Hill in Elkville... but I think he can hear it. |
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