Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 (2024)
Genre: Western, Drama
Director: Kevin Costner
Stars: Kevin Costner, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Giovanni Ribisi, Jena Malone
Plot: Explore the lure of the Old West and how it was won—and lost—through the blood, sweat and tears of many. Spanning 15 years before, during, and following the Civil War, from 1859 to 1874, embark on an emotional journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States of America.
* * *
[adventurous music playing]
[thuds]
[grunting]
[grunting]
[grunting]
[in Athabaskan] What are they doing?
It’s a game.
They stand with a big stick, see how to lay the long cord, and where to stand the little sticks.
Why do they do it here?
[thunder breaking]
[mule grunting]
[birds chirping]
[mule grunting]
Figure I must have got off the stage road.
Don’t see where though.
¿Habla Español?
I do not.
Well, that’s good. I’ve got very little Spanish myself.
This place be four, five miles back, as you sit now.
Oh. In that case, I’ve passed it.
You rode right through it.
Well, it’d be no farther east.
I just said that it wasn’t.
You can go back how you came.
And this time, when you get to the river, you look.
And I will see a town right there, huh?
And don’t act like it’s some damn miracle neither.
[chuckling]
All right.
[grunts]
Hey, brother, you eaten today?
Be gone with you now. I’m not your brother.
[flies buzzing]
[ominous music playing]
[flies buzzing]
[flies buzzing]
[sighs]
[sad music playing]
[flies buzzing]
[sighs]
[grunts]
[flies buzzing]
[music fades]
[panting]
[horse neighing]
James Sykes.
[gun clicks]
[groaning, grunting]
[groaning, grunting]
[baby wailing]
Get!
Get!
Come on. Come on. Go.
[groaning, grunting]
[baby wailing]
[shushes]
[panting]
Get!
Come on!
Get up.
[exhaling]
[men grunting]
Where was he?
If he lives, you can ask him all about it.
[horse neighs]
Caleb, go take Gratton and find his horse.
Nah, I’m gonna run that girl of his down.
Hey.
Joon, she knows.
[Junior sighs]
All right. All right. Get off me.
Huh?
But I will have my breakfast first.
[Mrs. Sykes grunts]
[Caleb groans]
Hmm?
You ain’t hitting nobody no more.
Your brother told you get that horse.
Go on!
Before something eats it.
Go on in. Tend to him.
[chuckling]
[spits]
[humming]
[in Latin] ♪ Sanguis Christi, inebria me ♪
♪ Aqua lateris Christi lava me ♪
[Desmarais] That man who held himself moral in years of plenty, he will rise in a different light.
He will take up against his brothers… and they will war over the withering fruits of the land.
[mule grunting]
[tense music playing]
[horse neighing]
[horse groaning]
[horse breathing heavily]
[sighs]
[horses neighing]
[grunts]
[horses neighing]
[men whooping]
[chopping]
[playing pleasant country music on harmonica]
[children shouting playfully]
[harmonica continues playing]
[blowing]
Doesn’t that look good, honey?
Yes, Momma.
[country dance music playing]
[lively chatter, laughter]
Water’ll will rise up through soil. It does.
Like oil through a wick.
[man] Mmm.
Joseph!
That’s why you gotta break the soil up
and let the water out… for it to fall back as rain.
[young man stammers] No. That’s a…
That’s a fallacy.
No, sir. Rain always follows the plow, son.
But it doesn’t.
It certainly does.
Rain follows the plow.
[band continues playing country dance music]
[lively chatter, laughter]
[band playing slow country music]
Think they’ll notice?
Oh yeah.
Come on. Your father’s no good at this.
No.
Really, Nat? No?
No.
Mrs. Kittredge?
Thank you, Tom.
You see this? A gentleman.
Careful! It’s loaded.
[scoffs] Careful!
Maybe you all better watch out. Huh?
Hup! Hup! Hup!
Watch it!
Nat, they’re going.
[vocalizes gunshot]
[laughs]
Nat? They said come on.
That wasn’t nice.
Shut up.
What? Don’t say that.
[grunts] Nat! Don’t talk like that.
[crickets chirping]
[lamps squeaking]
[panting, giggling]
Wasn’t so bad, right?
[giggles]
You were dancing! I saw you. Didn’t I, Fran?
Well, I held Dr. Bowman up till somebody found him a chair.
If you can call that dancing.
You know, the one man I did ask turned me right down.
Oh, it’s true. I could have cried.
Well, what fool would turn you down?
I won’t say, but he’s following you right now with his rifle, James.
Wouldn’t you dance with your mother?
Won’t dance with anybody.
Nat, you’re a wonderful dancer.
Boy looks an idiot dancing with his mother.
I was dancing.
[Frances chuckling]
I danced, Daddy.
Yeah, you were the belle of the ball.
[James grunts]
[James chuckles]
[ominous music playing]
[soft piano music playing]
[children’s laughter echoing]
[Elizabeth humming country dance music]
[grass rustling]
[gasps]
[gasping]
[floorboard thudding]
Nat.
What?
[Elizabeth gasping]
[sniffs]
Music stopped.
[gunshot in distance]
Someone’s in the yard.
[gasps]
[gunshot in distance]
Someone’s in the yard. Someone’s in the…
[gunfire in distance]
[tense music playing]
Shh.
[panting]
We’re all right.
[gunfire in distance]
[screaming in distance]
[Frances] Lizzie?
Nat. It’s okay.
We’re all right.
Nat. [snaps fingers]
In the, uh… the cupboard.
Caps and shot for that one.
Nat. Right there, son.
[gasping]
[thudding on roof]
Mom!
[rustling]
[gasps]
[gunfire continuing in distance]
It’s gonna be all right, honey.
I just want you to stay down here low.
All right? Don’t be afraid.
[Native Americans whooping]
[screams]
[groans]
[Native Americans whooping]
[arrows whoosh]
[groaning]
Get ahold of it! Look out!
[baby wailing]
No! No!
[whooping]
[groans]
[grunting]
[horses neighing]
[both grunting]
[Native Americans whooping]
[man gasping]
[men grunting]
[wailing]
Please!
[horses neighing]
[Native Americans whooping]
[groans]
[gunfire in distance]
[baby crying]
Come on. Come on.
[gunfire in distance]
[slaps]
What are you doing?
Jesus!
Get rid of that.
What?
[baby crying]
Nah, I ain’t sitting here while they…
If you don’t like it, Malcolm, don’t watch, but you ain’t giving us up with this.
[groaning]
[breathing heavily]
[Native Americans whooping]
[gunfire in distance]
[gunshot]
[groans]
[groans]
[groaning]
[banging on door]
[gasps]
James! James!
[James shouting]
James, it’s Bill Landry and a couple others.
[groaning]
All right. Careful. Put him down easy.
Here we go. Bring him down.
Ma’am, you keep any water up here?
We do. We…
Wet some rugs and some blankets.
Make it quick, your roof’s about to go.
[women grunting]
[hissing]
[coughing]
We can nail this shut as soon as they’re done putting up the blankets and our man comes down.
There’s no one else coming?
[sighs]
There’s no one else coming?
[Joseph] Oh, there’s plenty.
[rifle cocks]
Just none you want to let in.
No, no. You stay up. You stay up. Come on.
Your boy’s watching.
[gunfire in distance]
You just watch, son. We’ll get through this.
[horses neighing]
[horses neighing in distance]
[intense music playing]
[Native Americans whooping]
[grunting]
[grunting]
[Native Americans whooping]
[grunting]
[grunts]
[grunting]
Oh, thank you.
Put them right here.
Okay, there you go.
Oops.
It’s okay, honey.
I can get it.
It doesn’t matter.
No, I can get it. But…
Just leave it, honey.
[groans]
[thudding on roof]
[women gasping]
[women shriek]
[straining] Get him off… me.
Get him off me!
[gasping]
[shrieks]
[gunfire]
[James] Nat! Nat!
Hey! Fran, come here. Get them out of here.
Now!
Nat, come here!
[Frances] Nat!
Go, go, go!
[gunfire]
Daddy?
Come on. Come on! Come on!
[gunshot]
In there, now!
[both grunting]
Get in there.
[thudding]
[gasps]
[gasping]
Thank you.
Here you go, Momma.
Okay, Nat, come. Nat.
Nat.
It’s all right.
I’m gonna be with dad.
No. No. No! Nathaniel!
[coughing] Nathaniel! No!
[grunts]
[thuds]
[coughing]
[Elizabeth] Momma?
[thudding]
[Native Americans whooping]
[rustling]
[grunting]
[glass shattering]
[gunshots]
Stay right behind me. Okay?
Come on.
[panting]
Oh, God. Oh, God.
Oh, God.
Momma? I can’t breathe.
Oh, God.
[coughing]
[panting]
I can’t breathe.
[panting]
[grunts]
[crying] Stop. Stop.
Stop! It’s gonna come down.
[wood breaks]
[grunts]
[panting]
Okay, back up. Back up.
You have to trust me, honey. Okay?
Okay.
[grunting]
[grunts]
[panting]
[grunting]
[coughing]
[coughing]
[blowing]
Stop it. Stop.
[grunting]
[grunting]
[sobbing]
[somber music playing]
[Frances] Come on. Come on.
Come on. [grunts]
[grunting]
[shouts]
[grunting]
[gasping]
[sighing]
[gunfire in distance]
Ma’s got Lizzie.
[Joseph coughing]
I said I’d stay out here with you.
[sentimental music playing]
[footsteps]
[breathing]
[Elizabeth coughing]
[breathing heavily]
I’m sorry.
I’m sorry I waved that gun at Lizzie.
[muffled breathing]
Good girl.
Breathe, baby. Breathe, baby.
Okay, my turn now, baby.
[gasps]
[breathing]
[Native Americans whooping in distance]
[Joseph] Well, I’ll be god-damned.
Are they leaving?
Didn’t think they were that many.
[gunfire in distance]
[gasping]
[breathing heavily]
You ready, son?
[panting]
I think so, Daddy.
Now, I’m gonna turn the light out, baby.
No! No! No. Momma, please.
Yes, you have to trust me.
Shh. You have to trust me.
[sobbing]
You have to trust me. You have to trust me.
[sentimental music playing]
[groans]
[groans]
[groans]
[woman] God prepare us to table before me in the presence of thy enemies.
Thou anoint us my head with oil… my cup runneth over.
[Native Americans whooping]
Close your eyes. [sniffles]
[sparking]
[sentimental music continuing]
[inaudible]
[sentimental music continuing]
[horse neighing]
Rider coming in!
[somber music playing]
[chickens clucking]
[chickens clucking]
[somber music continuing]
[woman speaks Athabaskan]
[horses neighing]
Everybody, hold.
[soldier] You heard him. Hold!
All right, Sergeant, fall them out.
Report back to me in an hour.
Yes, sir.
Fall out.
He’s all right.
Mr. Chavez, try looking out there.
God love the Apache boys for leaving you some honest work.
You two, up on that rise. Let ’em have a look at ya.
The rest of you, leave your firearms aboard.
You mightn’t know one end of a rifle from the other, but you’re all ye hell on a spade as I ought to know.
Go on out there. Let’s start digging.
What is this?
Apache, sir.
Apt to have been White Mountain.
I mean you.
What are you doing here?
It’s where we live, sir.
No, it isn’t.
You might have stopped here, but that’s it.
The only ones staying here are them.
[soldier] Sir?
[scoffs]
You all the first settlement?
No, sir.
I take it they were.
Who’s that?
Don’t know.
Got here too late to ask.
Apaches might know something about it.
You can ask them.
So that’s what you found when you got here?
Was those graves?
Yes, sir.
And you wouldn’t take that as some kind of sign?
Sure, we did.
Sign to build on this side of the river.
[sniffles]
How’s that working out for you?
[in Athabaskan] If my father came down from the mountains, he would see how it is.
The deer and elk stay wide of the valley, now.
To hunt them we must follow west where K’uu-ch’ish hunts or east where there are Pima.
And fight our neighbors in places sacred to them.
All for fear of a few tents at the river.
Pionsenay what did you hunt?
We can’t eat that.
I shouldn’t see the Mimbreños of the plains where I go,
but now I have.
I saw one of these men hunted and killed for taking a deer, from where he shouldn’t be.
We saw him killed, beneath us, over a deer.
My family is well provided for in the high places.
We aren’t hungry.
We don’t live in fear.
Pionsenay grew impatient watching the white-eyes on the plains.
Now he has brought them into my home.
Do you see this?
This is what I brought.
They are no more danger to you than the ones who lost them, at the river.
The men are gone. I see that.
But where they’ve been their sons will follow.
And when they are able the sons will hunt after you.
And they will hunt after all the People, not knowing which of us you are.
It will be the same for them, as well as their sons.
But they will not find me asleep in the mountains like my father, who was once a great war-chief, but who has grown old.
Then you will leave here.
Yes. I leave this place where the People are too frightened to sing for me.
This, too, was in my dream.
You will go and wait for the white-eyes on the plain and you will not sleep. you who’ve made these people your enemy.
You will fight them for as long as you are able, and still they will come.
And when you wish to hide the high places will no longer hide you.
Then you’ll see the white-eyes I see.
And you will know why I don’t sing for your victory today.
Now they can choose, who are free to go as they will.
I have no more to tell them.
I take this, so it won’t disturb the sleep of an old man.
[blows]
[blows]
Mr. Ganz?
Son?
It appears your ma and father went up to their reward this morning… leaving us down here with the work.
You take a moment now, if you need it, and when you’re ready, you let me know.
[muffled whimper]
It’s gonna be all right.
[whimpering]
[in Pima] Follow it out some.
See if they stay grouped,
or if any cut back.
[neighing]
[man speaking indistinctly, grunting]
[neighing]
How you like this, vato?
Some of your lady friends in there.
You know this one here?
[tense music playing]
[grunts]
[grunting]
[Gephart] You all bought title to this land
from Mr. Pickering, I realize.
And I’m sorry because now you know what you bought.
The men who hunt this land,
they’re not gonna share it with you.
What you build, they will burn down.
The site you chose is not one we can defend,
as the Indigenous are well aware.
Twenty-six miles north of here is the Camp Gallant settlement.
You will have the protection of the United States Army.
Get an escort to it right now, if you’re ready to go.
But that’s it.
That’s your offer.
Lieutenant?
You got one hour.
That house up there, sir.
[soldier] We found something.
[Riordan grunts]
[soldier] Hurry up. Come on! Hurry up!
[men grunting]
[Frances whimpering]
No!
No!
No!
[Chavez] Leave her alone. Leave her, leave her!
No!
Let her do it on her own. Oh, God.
[Elizabeth coughing]
Hey. Hey.
Momma?
Just take her. Okay?
Momma?
Ma’am?
Ma’am?
Ma’am?
Is there anyone else in there?
Senora, anyone else?
It was just us.
It was just us, sir.
[horses neighing]
[in Athabaskan] My sister is not the same person.
She doesn’t have the man for her home,
whom she loved before she was born.
There’s no more father for her daughters.
They’ll have a father.
They’ll come with us.
Why would anyone want to go with you?
Will the white-eyes from the river
come to us, now?
No
The people are safe here.
But more white-eyes will come to the river.
That is the old man’s dream.
What is your dream, Taklishim?
I don’t dream about this.
They have come and put their sticks in our way,
and it’s our bad luck
they’ve done this.
That’s all I know.
It’s bad luck.
[somber music playing]
[men grunting]
[coughing]
[clucking]
Good girl.
You go stay with your ma now. We’ll take good care of this.
You’ll be gone, dear.
You’ll be all right.
It’s just for a short while.
You’ll be gone the moment I let you go…
[sniffles]
and soon I’ll be along…
and I’ll hold you again just like this, my sweet boy.
Soon, I will.
[sniffling]
I promise you.
[sobbing]
[Sacaton in Athabaskan] If he goes,
I go with him.
Come here.
You listened to what was said.
Did you understand?
Good.
I’m glad my son
knows who he is.
It has told me
where ponies of mine were
that were stolen.
You can speak to it
when there’s trouble.
I think… I will see you again.
And what is there for you?
[in English] What I give you?
[in Athabaskan] I don’t need the gift my brother has.
You give me enough.
[in English] You talk to me like my first fathers.
You’re not angry when I do it.
I’m glad my sons know who they are.
[assembly bugle call playing]
[horses neighing]
They ain’t coming.
Yeah? Well, till they enlist,
I guess they can do what they want.
Who are those four?
They just showed up from over to Union.
See if they can’t help.
Yeah?
Help how?
Just thought someone here might be of a mind
to hunt Apaches,
which, of course, they’re right.
Talk now is how they might make commerce out of it.
And you’d go along, I guess.
And some others.
Scouts said they’d go, too.
Rather chase Apaches than dig your ditches, I guess.
[sighs]
You’d be a better man than us, Lieutenant,
if you can look on all this and turn around.
[Gephart] You know, it’d be unusual
if you were paid just to track anyone.
Though I heard of towns taking up collections
to pay for dead Indians.
You think that’s what they meant by “commerce”?
Yeah? They said what you’ll get?
About a hundred each?
About that.
But that’d be just for the men though.
Because if you bring in a woman’s scalp
or a child, then it’d be, what?
Somewhat less, I bet.
[spits] Somewhat less than that. That’s right.
Yeah. ‘Course a Pima’s got the long hair like an Apache.
They do.
So has the Hopi and the Yuma.
Heck, even the Mexicans got dark enough hair, come to that.
You know, I don’t know if I was buying scalps,
if I could tell one from the other.
Well, good you ain’t in the market, then.
All right, go on. No point in that.
Look, Lieutenant,
they all know what you make of trading in dead Injuns.
But you said you ain’t the law up here, either.
You have to expect
they’re gonna look out for themselves.
There’s about 20-25 Apaches attacked these people,
and a few thousand more that didn’t.
And most tolerate us, if they don’t like us.
But if we’re not careful, and you give them reason,
they’ll rid this country of us in about a day’s work.
[Janney] You come along, then.
Keep an eye on us.
And we’ll just get the bad ones.
And if you can’t,
it isn’t my fault.
I can detail you more men. I can gather volunteers.
Yeah, you’ll be about a day behind,
if they let you come back at all, which I doubt.
I do appreciate the spot you’re in, Lieutenant.
But you understand why I can’t wait on you.
Just have to trust we know our business, I guess.
[suspenseful music playing]
[in Athabaskan] I don’t follow Pionsenay.
I’ll follow you.
[man] All right, I got you.
You all right?
Yes, thank you.
For senora. From Lieutenant.
[Riordan] Mm.
[humming]
[clucking]
[sighing]
Let’s go do the chickens.
[adventurous music playing]
Two o’clock.
Uh-huh.
When?
What was it? Two? Maybe you’d better say it again.
Yeah, that’s right, but you ain’t funny.
Don’t bring anyone home.
I won’t.
Walter says you’re fixed for money now, anyway.
Yeah, that’s what he thinks.
If you can’t make it home alone, honey, and on time,
you can just keep going.
[adventurous music continuing]
[bell dinging]
Sally?
[Sally] Mm?
Go make up six, seven, and eight.
[Sally] Yes, ma’am.
Now. Get a move on.
[gasps]
Yeah, that was me.
Marigold, you talk to any of these men
before I sign them in,
and I’ll hold your head under that water.
And if you try and take any of my business
up to Ellen’s tonight,
we’ll come visit you.
Just see if I’m kidding.
Let’s clear out these chairs. Bill?
[gasps]
Get up!
I’m trying to see if we can’t get Mr. Coughlin
out of the stairwell.
[cackling]
[man] I’ve got a favor to ask you.
You’ll get this back before we pay anyone out,
I promise you.
Yeah. Good luck in there.
I’m not far behind you.
[bell dinging]
I stay…
I stay on by…
[bell dinging]
…by contract to Fort Bridger…
and I thought to go north and…
Jesus.
North and west from there.
Though if I am needed, or if…
or if your condition… condition holds the same, I…
Why don’t you help her?
She ain’t buying anything.
Mary, do you want to excuse us?
He’s writing you a letter, sir?
Yeah. It’s private. He asked if I could.
Oh. Can you, Ned?
I do all right.
He’s not the clerk here, so you know.
He’s just standing in.
Though I’m sure he’ll take your money.
Yes, get your spectacles on, Ned. That’ll help.
[Ned] And how’d Miss Harvey like to know
you’re lagging down here, you think?
That’s all right.
I only came in to get the time.
I beg you pardon, mister.
[scoffs] Go on, Mary.
That’s short for Marigold.
And I’d have him read back
what he wrote when you’re done.
[bell dinging]
You know how to write?
Yes, sir.
She was just funning me.
Go ahead.
[lively chatter]
Whoever reads that letter is gonna think
you’re shy of brains.
[chuckles]
Yeah, well, between him and me, we…
we got a good part of it.
You know, I think it’s fine, you know, you still write home
and send money.
I think it shows… think it shows character.
[grunts] Yeah?
I saw Mrs. Daly take your friends up in there.
That where you’ll stay?
Well, her husband waters down his spirits, you know.
Mm-hm. He calls it “Indies rum.”
He just collects out the used glasses and he browns them with tobacco.
[laughs] Yeah?
Yeah.
And if you meet a girl called Celine, just know she’s married… and her husband’s probably in there watching.
[Hayes laughing]
And there’s another that says she was born in Paris, France, but that’s a trick that only works once.
She drinks that accent off in about a minute.
And the other, if she’s being friendly,
she’s gonna ask you for “consideration.”
That means…
I know.
I know what it means.
Well, it means you’ll wait in line upstairs.
[Hayes] Uh-huh.
Yeah, well, you know, I was just gonna
find my room and sleep.
Good luck then.
With that barrel-organ under you.
[laughs] Jesus Christ.
But, hey, if you like something quiet…
you know, there’s a nice cabin just up there.
Top of that trail.
Yeah?
That one’s mine.
It ain’t hers.
Well, I didn’t say I owned it, did I?
But you come up and I’ll make you
a better dinner than Mrs. Daly.
I mean, you can’t even see all this, looking down,
just the trees.
No. Nah.
Oh, what, you think I’ll have you
propose marriage to me in the morning?
What?
Or I’d ask you to take me away from here? To where?
I mean, you’re just going on to some other mining camp.
It’s probably worse than this.
Yeah and I guess you don’t ask for a “consideration,” do you?
Oh, you wouldn’t have to.
You might be moved to, but I wouldn’t ask.
[sighs]
Well, I’d just like to have a drink tonight
with someone that knows how to act.
And maybe has something to say I don’t already know.
And I’d rather he’s tall. That’s what I want.
[laughs] Well, we got one taller.
Oh, you mean the one with the laugh?
Mm-mm. I’m particular.
If it’s not you tonight,
I’ll just stay in with the baby.
With the…?
The baby. Yeah.
[groans]
I mean, it’s just me with him tonight, but he won’t mind.
Yeah, yeah. Well, what about his father?
[laughs]
How…
How would he like this?
Well, you don’t think it’s my child.
Oh, God, no. He’s got a mother.
She’s just out today.
She’s got me looking after him.
Yeah? Well, why aren’t you then?
I am.
Yeah.
I’m going.
Anyway, nothing’s gonna eat the kid
if he’s alone a minute.
And he sleeps through to anything.
I promise you that.
So you think you’ll come say hello?
[sighs]
And I won’t have any trouble finding this place?
Uh-uh.
Well, it’s just straight up that draw.
Once you can’t get any further, that’s it.
That’s me.
Don’t make me wait.
[chuckles]
[sniffles, sighs]
[insect buzzing]
[sighs]
[lively chatter]
[reveille bugle call playing]
[man shouting orders]
Lizzie?
Lizzie?
[Elizabeth] Momma?
Momma?
Lizzie.
[gasping]
Honey, what are you doing?
What are you doing?
[gasping]
[gasping]
[both gasping]
Okay.
Okay, you’re gonna put these on.
No, Mom. No, that’s where it was.
Put them on.
It was in my shoe.
I shook it out.
[grunting]
[clattering]
[Ellen shouts]
About done?
No! I don’t have a single goddamn pot
to match with a single one of my goddamn lids.
All right. Well, it’s ten past. Said we’d be gone by three.
You talk to Mary?
No, we’re leaving. You talk to her after.
Little skank looked me right in the eye
and promised me. I told her two o’clock.
[Walt] All right, well, it’s not my fault.
[Ellen] Here, honey, you play with this.
Ell? Ellen?
I can’t miss this over some
idiot girl wanting to make us wait.
She brings more money in than you, Walter.
Well… Yeah, well…
That…
Go then if you can’t wait. You go.
No. No. No. Ellen, I said that we would. Both of us.
And I said that I wouldn’t leave Sam alone.
You promised me that. When have I ever done that?
Have I ever done that?
Have you ever seen me leave him alone?
Never!
Ellen.
Honey, don’t put that in your mouth.
This is business now, and you can’t say one thing
and turn around and do something else.
Walter…
if these men want to buy something from you,
they’re gonna buy it.
They ain’t gonna look at me
or whatever the hell it is you’re wearing.
All I know is we had three chickens this morning…
and now I got one.
And whoever the hell these men are,
they’re fixing to eat better than our family.
Ellen.
[Ellen sighs]
There she is!
When’d I tell you to get up here? Huh?
I said we needed you an hour ago!
What do you expect?
You’re gonna leave him alone up here?
Mary, goddamn it. He’s two years old.
[grunts]
Jesus.
What, are you worried that you’re gonna
get a clean spot on your reputation,
if you let up for one minute?
[scoffs]
Shame on you.
Nothing I do down there is any worse
than you had to do before him.
What’d you say to me?
I’m just saying there’s some ladies
that can take that high tone with me.
I don’t know you can.
I’ll take any goddamn tone I want.
I’m talking about my boy!
[groans]
You get up there! You get to him.
You try saying that line to me again
and you’ll see how fast you are down there,
living in a goddamned barrel.
[Walt] All right. It’s done. It’s done.
Elly, come on. Come on now.
We’re gonna talk later! That’s what we’re doing!
[Walt] All right. You’re gonna talk later.
[Ellen] Let’s go. I’m ready.
[Walt] All right.
See how fast you go down there in our good graces.
[Walt] All right. Please, let’s go.
[Ellen] We’re late, honey.
[Walt] We are.
I know. I don’t like that yelling either.
Come on in the house, mister.
[both grunting]
[both panting]
[grunts]
Let me just say…
if they found even just a little placer downstream…
they might judge from that
that there’s a deposit higher up.
Maybe around my plot.
Did they?
Did they find something like that?
[panting]
Did you leave something for them to find, Walter?
[panting]
All I know…
Jesus.
All I…
[panting]
Shit.
[pleasant music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[indistinct chatter]
[man coughing]
[gasps]
[soldiers] Sir.
Ma’am.
You get your first look at camp in daylight?
Yes.
Yes, it’s very nice.
Lieutenant, I haven’t
thanked you yet for taking us in.
And really, for all that you’ve done.
Elizabeth wanted to thank you herself, but I don’t…
We brushed it for you, sir.
Well, look at that. Yeah? Thank you.
Has the doctor seen you two?
No, sir.
He’d been drinking.
Lizzie!
[Vreeland snoring]
[exhales]
Sir,
we were gonna escort them over to mess. Give Mr. Vreeland
a chance to…
No, no.
He’ll clear them before they wander through camp.
We were only going to the kitchen
to volunteer, Lieutenant.
We weren’t expecting any…
[splashes]
[Vreeland coughing]
Ma’am.
Miss.
Apologies for the delay.
Let’s get you inside.
Not at all.
Sit you down, Mr. Gephart.
Hear you were up there making speeches.
Thirty mad Apaches couldn’t scare these people off.
Thought maybe you could?
I owed it to them to try, I thought.
The ones I saw weren’t fit to live out there, sir.
Did make it through what sounds like a long night.
Yeah.
And this here, where you want to detail ten more,
ride up into the mountains?
I’m gonna deny that one.
Sir…
I expect your protest. Here.
Let’s put it down in writing.
We’ll look into it, soon as I can spare the men.
Which, as you know, right now I can’t.
Have you seen this?
Yeah. I brought it to you.
No, when you were up there. Have you seen this town?
No? You should have asked.
They would have pointed it out to you.
He doesn’t believe me.
He thinks this comes of your drinking before noon, sir.
Hm.
I realize whatever was there,
and I gather it wasn’t much,
it’s all gone down in ash again.
But the Apache haven’t put a scratch on this, have they?
You just have to stand at the river
and you can see what the men
and the women up there see.
You have to bear in mind,
they don’t come out here the way we do.
These people have been pushing
the same wheel back home around
and around till they can’t bear another turn on it.
That’s the path they inherit…
and if they try to change it at all,
they have to do it by inches.
You may recall that’s what drove us across the ocean
to this country, in the first place.
You and I are standing guard
on one of the last great open spaces, Trent.
There’s no army of this earth
that’s gonna stop those wagons coming…
little as they’re wanted.
So I guess you’d like to explain that
to the Indigenous.
I know.
That may be a thing that never does get explained to them.
Now, your Apache, he thinks that if he can
salt the earth with enough of our dead,
that he’ll stop those wagons coming.
Spoil the place for us.
But you study the newcomers.
They’ll look out at ever so many graves
and it won’t make the least difference…
because all they see is this.
The place isn’t unlucky,
it’s just the poor bastard under it.
And that’s what a man will tell himself, tell his wife,
and they’ll tell their children
that if they’re tough enough,
smart enough, and mean enough,
all this will be theirs someday.
That’s all they’ll reason in the face of fear.
They’re the ones that are gonna hold out.
And guess what?
Some of them will.
Anyhow…
for the time being, I won’t commit
a body to the field when I don’t have to.
You’ll just have to count the Indians and count us,
and you won’t have to wonder at that logic.
Now you and I have to look out for our own survival, Trent…
and let this place do what it’s done
since time immemorial.
And maybe this Mr. Pickering…
will find a likelier spot to settle
than an Apache river-crossing.
[lively chatter]
Did I give that young man
something to think about, Sergeant?
Or did I just make him angry?
Some of both, sir, I expect.
How’s that?
[clears throat]
Well, these great movements that you describe, sir…
he’d like to feel he’s got a hand in ’em.
But that’s a young man’s vanity, is it not?
What’ll happen here is only what’s bound to happen.
As he’ll live to observe.
You see, we don’t make our history any more
than the Apache makes his weather.
And what is bound to happen? In your view?
It’s as much as you say, sir.
We’ll muddle through,
while they decide things back home.
And when they do…
when that war ends…
and it will end,
whether we’re one nation or two.
They’ll all start looking west again, sir.
And then these open spaces you mention…
that the Aboriginal love so well…
that they say they can’t live without.
Well, sir…
they’ll all close up in a blink of an eye, sir.
That’s how it ends here.
I believe that’s how all the frontier ends.
And both of us dead and damned before that with any luck.
Aye, sir.
There is that consolation.
Oh, God.
Now I’m nervous.
Oh, no, honey. This is our day.
Huh.
Come on.
And don’t you feel bad for these men with money, Ell…
’cause they don’t waste a thought on us.
You know what Mary said about how I was, before we met.
Oh, that’s all right.
No.
She shouldn’t have said that.
I’m sorry she said that in front of you.
You’re a good man.
I see how you try and be a good man to me. I…
[sentimental music playing]
I haven’t known many good men.
All right.
It’s our day.
Hmm?
It’s our day.
Hi, Mike.
I’d like you to meet Miss Harvey.
How do you do, Mike?
Pleasure. You need help?
Oh, no. We’re… we’re all right.
I got this here.
You hold on to that.
We’ll let you show them yourself.
They here?
Yeah. Just taking another turn around the property.
All right.
We’ll get you ready inside.
[fire crackling]
You don’t know, Mike, if, uh, your friends
happen to find something out there, huh?
Maybe something I don’t know?
They say anything like that?
Ask them.
You know, I said I’d talk to these men,
[laughs] and for you I’d do that.
But, God,
I get up here and I get the sense
that someone’s making a strike here,
and I’m as sure of that now as ever, and it just…
well, it does give me second thoughts
about letting it all go.
Where are you from?
I know you, don’t I?
You want to tell me where I know you from?
Honey, what are you doing?
Where is it?
Hey. Ell, just stop it.
Let him alone. Christ.
[scoffs]
[chuckles]
I’m sorry, Mike. I don’t know what’s gotten into her here.
Oh my…
My God.
Well…
as I live and breathe.
You see this, brother?
Hey, could you not do that?
Sorry. You must be, uh…
I’m Walter Childs.
[scoffs]
Uh…
You know, just don’t mind her. Uh, she actually made us some pretty good…
Be quiet.
Walt? Come here.
[Walt] Oh, Mike, it’s okay.
He said be quiet.
Yeah. Sit tight.
We nearly met in Bannack.
I believe we did.
And you had any number of brushes
since then though, I hear.
Seemed to find an instinct for staying ahead of us.
Or you got some angel over you.
All right, well, we’ll let Ellen set the table.
And, here, you and I will have this.
I got us a very good…
Walter, you interrupt my brother again
and I will beat you right in front of her.
I swear to God. I really will.
And her name’s Lucy, you fool.
[Junior] Caleb.
Let them talk.
I guess you know he’s not dead, our father.
You don’t know how it was.
You never had to take a turn with that man.
Crawled some good way after you.
Face half-carved away and chest full of shot.
Like they threw blood on him out a barrel.
I never did tell your mother.
Or anybody else.
That should count for something.
It doesn’t.
You must know we’d come for you,
whether he lived or not.
But…
God, I hardly thought it would take so long. [sighs]
I had days with no point
or end to any of this I could see.
I just wanted to burn this whole territory
and hope you were in it.
I was that sick to get home.
They’re just gonna take her back.
They’re just gonna take you back, honey.
I’ll be honest with you, Mike, I don’t think she makes it.
As much as our father would give to see her.
They can’t have her home.
Sit down and eat.
She knows that.
I ate.
See, he knows we’re only after your boy, ma’am.
I’m sorry, but this ain’t hardly to do
with you at all and he knows that.
Caleb?
You don’t know where I left him.
[chuckles]
Well,
he said you got a girl tending to him, up to your own house.
Now I’m just thinking maybe we start there.
Okay, well, they’re not gonna let you just take him
out of his goddamn bed.
You think anyone out here stops him, huh?
Stand over there and shut up until I’m done talking.
Do it right now.
Excuse me…
Honey.
I got to remind you all why you’re here?
Huh?
This, right here.
That’s your title to this property.
Now, if you just…
If you want to sit,
we can start to properly discuss…
You still think we’re talking about your damn mine?
Come here!
It’s like an illness with you. Isn’t it?
Your talking?
Look, look, y’all… y’all settle this, whatever it is.
You settle it when we’re done, but she has no part in this.
All right? You even said.
All right. All right. I’m just
gonna let her out while we talk.
Come here.
You just stay there.
[grunts]
[screams]
Stop it! Jesus!
[laughing maniacally]
Hey!
What did I tell you?
Hmm?
[laughing maniacally]
[sighs]
What?
Oh.
Oh, I think I got him with that first knock. Huh?
[laughing maniacally]
Goddamn it.
[Junior] Jesus Christ.
[groans]
Why, you little…
She’ll answer…
Not to you.
You’re done in here.
Hell, I am.
[groans]
Drag his ass out of here.
Get your… get your hands off.
Hands off.
Come here, boy. Come here. Come on.
[groans, coughing]
[Caleb panting]
He’s done in there.
Get his hat and his coat.
I’ll kill you, Joon. I swear to God.
Yeah? Well, first you’re gonna bury him.
And then you’re gonna ride up there and get that boy.
Let me see you do all that
before you come back here and try me.
I ain’t goin’.
Yeah, but you are though.
[groans]
[groans]
I want you gone from my sight.
He does the digging.
[shouts]
[thuds]
[sighs]
Yeah, there’s always the chance of that with Caleb.
[Caleb] Give me that gun.
You gonna send him out like that, after that boy?
Like what?
Just…
Nothing.
[Junior] All right. You can wait outside.
[door creaking]
[door closes]
[sighs]
[shudders]
Oh dear God.
[clucking]
[bell tolling]
That one.
[groaning]
You live in this whore?
I don’t.
Yeah, you know I don’t, if I had to ask you.
How do you like their idea of porches, huh?
Surrounded by trees and they can’t find
Ten foot of more planks.
They’d rather live in this filth.
Well…
You came through working, I guess.
Yeah.
Yeah?
What at?
You don’t mind I’m talking to you?
No, man.
I’m here with some others. Do a trade in horses, mostly.
Oh, yeah, we had a bit of work around here ourselves.
Bit of our own work.
You said “mostly horses.”
What does that mean?
It means you do something else.
I have, yeah.
Yeah?
You work with us, you’d do more than just horses.
You’d have to know the use of that Colt, for one.
Do you?
You use that much? This here?
Not the way you mean it.
[scoffs] How else do you use it?
[laughs] Hell, maybe you drive nails with it.
I just mean it’s fairly new.
Haven’t had much need of it yet.
[laughing] Not yet?
It looks like we got ourselves a bad man, right here.
You know, I’m just saying
anywhere north of here,
gentlemen like you, we’re who you work for.
I got a job.
Yeah, I know.
I’m just telling you.
Maybe you heard about a family called “Sykes.”
No, I’ve…
Oh. Well,
why didn’t you say something then?
Hell, even the shit-pokes out here,
you mention that name to them,
you know who you’ve had a walk with today.
Right now you don’t know?
I just told you that.
Yeah, you don’t know.
Ain’t heard of us.
Ain’t from here.
[scoffs]
Maybe you meant you’re from China.
Here.
Steady that.
[Caleb sniffles]
[Caleb grunting]
[Caleb sighs]
You think that’s how they dug this trench here?
Hell, you get enough people
to piss down a hill for long enough,
you might even come up with a town
that looks something like that.
[sighs, sniffles]
You see…
it just so happens a little rabbit we be hunting
went to ground down here.
Yeah…
and you’re smart not to ask any more about it.
[Hayes] Mm-hm.
Something you want to say?
Just a bit late.
Well, can’t you talk? Hmm?
It’s like some trick you’re doing waiting for me to talk
and say more than I want.
You said you came through here working?
[Hayes] Mm-hm.
Mm-hm.
Yeah, well, what at?
You ain’t got no horses to show,
and anything you would like to buy is back down there.
No, I’m visiting someone.
Yeah, that’s right.
I’ll tell you what else.
A man doesn’t bustle up here
unless there’s a girl called him up.
Is that what you meant?
[Hayes sighs]
Hm.
Yeah.
Yeah, I see you.
I do. I see you.
I’m just picturing what sort of mauled bitch
they keep around here for a girl.
[laughing] Oh, don’t give me that look.
Don’t do that.
I will roll your head
right back down to your friends.
You think?
[laughing]
Look at you!
You got your blood all boiled up
over some girl you just met.
[chuckling]
Mmm.
I didn’t say it was a girl.
[chuckles]
And here I am just trying to be cordial.
Go on.
God love both of you.
[hard gulp]
That’s awful.
Yeah.
Well, there is good brandy in there,
just don’t know what else.
Yeah.
Odd thing though, you’re running out of houses.
[Caleb sniffles]
I just wonder if your girl ever seen my rabbit.
I’d be sorry if she did.
I’ll tell you the story about it, if you want.
You’re bound to hear about it anyway.
Nah, we talked enough.
Well, I will tell you this.
There ain’t much you do in these territories,
but what you do do you’re all watched at it
and I don’t mean by God.
What order there is comes from me watching you.
Man watching his fellow.
Seeing what he’ll stand and what he won’t.
My father says, if they see you suffer an insult…
men’ll come try you.
You better make it known you let no injury pass,
however small…
and your judgement is sure…
and terrible.
Falter, he says, and they will take from you,
and they will keep on taking
until you are wiped clean from this land,
and your name with it.
I’m just saying that’s something
you might want to keep in mind.
[dog whining]
Go on, now.
This isn’t your house.
Ain’t yours either.
Come on in here.
I just got him down. He’ll be quiet.
[gasps]
[Caleb laughing]
Really?
Over her?
You want to try this?
[tense music playing]
[scoffs]
Well, if it meant that much to you,
you could have just said something earlier.
Saved me a long walk up a hill that I did not enjoy.
Yeah.
Yeah, I’ll leave you lovers to it.
[groans]
[groans]
[groaning]
You ain’t getting me, boy. Not you.
Not in this place.
[groans]
[groans]
[gasping]
[settlers chattering]
[tense music playing]
[Marigold gasping]
You don’t know him?
Well, the woman who lives here, maybe she does.
Whatever they’re doing, you can’t be a part of this.
No. They were…
Walter was just selling off some land. He…
No, he was on his way up here for you.
However that is, you got to look
to yourself right now. And that child in there.
[sniffles]
Hey!
[whimpers]
There are others with him.
I don’t know how close they are.
And when he doesn’t come back,
they’ll head here. You understand that?
They’ll come the way he did.
No, you don’t know that.
You don’t know that. This doesn’t have anything to do with me.
You know it doesn’t.
I told you I don’t know him.
I don’t know either of you. You did that.
I’m sorry, Mary.
You got a little time, but that’s it.
[gasping]
[settlers chattering]
[woman] What happened there?
I don’t know. There was a fight.
I didn’t… I didn’t see.
You know where you’ll go?
Come on.
You have to take me with you.
You have to take both of us.
Please.
Here.
Hold him.
Fine.
You’re gonna need this where we’re going.
[settlers chattering]
Let’s go.
[intense music playing]
[birds chirping]
[neighing]
We just got to keep going.
[pleasant music playing]
Here. Grab that.
Couple more.
[lively chatter]
Son, she’s had enough water.
You can unhitch ’em both.
They’re awful warm, sir.
Yeah.
Throw that over ’em.
Unstrap ’em first, though.
I don’t like the looks of that one.
Yes, sir.
He hit something we didn’t, Owen?
Nah, they say it’s this heat.
It’s got everyone’s spokes pulling loose.
Is that right, Mr. Buckhout?
Yeah.
[thudding]
It’s still got a good axel.
[Owen] Yeah.
[Van] All right.
Well…
let’s get the rest under that ridge and out of the sun
before we’re fixing them all.
[Juliette] Girls?
Sorry. If you wouldn’t mind…
Water.
We’d nearly run out.
I was about to go begging.
Darling, water’s for them, I believe.
Oh.
I beg your pardon, girls.
Well,
let me keep the one for him, and I’ll, um, donate mine.
How’s that?
Thank you, ma’am.
What are you thanking her for?
[horse screaming]
[Buckhout] Tighten that wagon up!
[horse screaming]
[Buckhout] Owen!
[Van] Tighten the horse down!
[man] Steady. Steady.
Hey! Hey! Hold it! Hold it!
[men shouting]
[all grunting]
Cut that goddamned horse out!
[clattering]
[boy] Don’t hurt him!
Stop. You’re hurting him.
Just shut up!
[horse grunting]
[grunting]
[Buckhout] Lift high!
Let him go!
[Buckhout] Okay, let it down.
[thuds]
[panting]
[pleasant music playing]
[panting]
[horse groans]
[horse groans]
Ma’am. Mr. Proctor.
See what you got there?
Oh, afternoon.
It isn’t actually, um, finished.
There’s an engraver in Raleigh
who gets these ready for print.
He’s the real artist, of course.
Yeah, I don’t see you in there.
It does answer my question though.
I was about to ask,
did you notice there were men working down there?
Oh, yes. Of course. I did.
Get up.
[chuckles]
Hey! Get up!
Excuse me. Ow.
Get your ass…
Hey! Hey, that’s enough!
[panting] Mr. Van Weyden,
if you want something, you can ask.
I can?
All right, here’s what I ask…
When you see men working, figure out how to help.
Both of you. This ain’t helping.
No. I know.
Hold on.
Tomorrow, you be aware of the time.
I want you to draw your water
and get your team hitched ahead of all these others.
And don’t stop anyone asking for help.
Now, if that means you got to get up a little early,
go ahead.
That extra time you like to take, mornings,
just you two,
only means you’re dragging this out for everyone.
All right. That’s fair enough.
[sighs] I hope so.
Now, ma’am…
is that their cup?
I’m gonna ask you to pick it up
and give it to him.
Or what?
You’ll start kicking me, Mr. Van Weyden?
Maybe you’d like to find out,
in front of all these people…
Damn it, Juliette, just learn when to show some restraint.
Here we are.
Uh… All right. We’re all good?
Good. I will go and offer my services,
such as they are.
Captain, Mr. Kittredge, our apologies.
You think you’ve just given us
a fine bit of education, don’t you?
I did try, ma’am.
We’ll see if it takes.
Oh, you keep at it, Captain.
You’ll bring us around.
Like our Mr. Kittredge here.
He’s kicked and bullied his girls
into fine young men.
Young ladies, you meant.
[scoffs]
You know, you’re right.
Beg your pardon.
[sighs] Owen?
Would you like me to talk to her?
Mm-mm.
[Evie] She knows we’re girls, Daddy. She just misspoke.
[Owen] Diamond.
Diamond!
[horse groans]
[rooster crowing]
[rooster crowing]
[lively chatter]
[Riordan] Oh-ho, that’s my girl.
Okay, we got a good hour now, and you won’t need half that.
Hmm?
[pleasant music playing]
[lively chatter]
Ah, this is working perfect.
And, sir, she does know about this?
You two talked about it?
Oh, aye, sure.
I’ll have eyes on her myself, you know.
Okay, here you go. Hmm?
What?
Just… If she were to come back, though.
She is a fierce woman, sir.
That Mrs. Riordan. And I mean, no offense.
Oh, no, no. No, no. None taken.
You’re right. She’s that.
But, look at us, now. Three grown men, armed.
And the heat slows her down, besides.
All right, we’ll have no trouble, lads,
if you work quick. Hmm?
Okay, now, quick. Go, go. Go. Quick.
[lively chatter]
Sergeant, if you see any more K-Company, you send them in.
Uh, yes, sir.
[lively chatter]
[whimsical music playing]
[groans]
You let go of that! Let go!
Ma’am, stop it.
Stop it? Come here.
No. Ouch. Ow.
[Mrs. Riordan] Tommy! Look at this.
I come back to fetch a hat for Ginny,
and here’s these two walking out with the furniture.
[groans]
Ma’am, please.
Not a word out of ya. Down!
They said that you put ’em up to it.
Oh, sure he’d steal his daughter’s things,
out of his own house?
Ma’am. [panting] I…
Honey, don’t! No! No, no. Enough.
Calm down. All right? Hmm?
No, no. Stop it. Okay.
What is this, Tommy?
Calm down.
We can’t match force with you.
But if you let me show you who this is for,
I promise you’ll understand.
Will you let me do that?
Yeah.
Yeah? You’ll let me?
All right.
All right.
Enough of this.
I’ll be right back.
[pleasant music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[lively chatter]
[Elizabeth] Ma’am.
Good afternoon. Afternoon, Sergeant.
Out of the sun, Lizzie.
Miss Frances, Miss Elizabeth…
this is Mrs. Riordan.
Mother, the Ladies Kittredge.
[gasps]
You ought to have said, Tommy. What an angel.
You give that to me.
These hands in Army soap.
You ought to have told me, Tommy.
[scoffs]
There’s our own little Rose, you see.
Last of our six.
Oh, she’s beautiful.
Mm-hm.
And fair, like your Lizzie.
About her age, too, when our Father
called her back up to his side.
Suppose He couldn’t bear the loss
any better than we did. Hmm?
Sorry for your loss, Miss.
And yours.
Anyway, you’ve met the Mrs. Riordan.
You’ll want no more protection or provision
now that you’re here.
[tense music playing]
[horses neighing]
Hugh.
[exclaims]
Look at that!
Oh, they’re magnificent.
I don’t think we’ve ever seen them this close.
Let me get your book.
No, no. I want us just to look at this.
Okay.
What do you want to do?
About that scout up there, you mean?
Well, now there’s two.
Lovely.
Steady there, Daniel. Just keep moving.
We’re all right.
[clears throat]
Don’t seem to mind that we’re looking.
Probably wants to see how many we are,
see how far we get today, and where we stop.
All right, when this opens up,
I’m gonna have you run
the lead wagon round to the back,
draw us all up in a ring.
We’ll keep the animals inside tonight. All right?
[suspenseful music playing]
[cows mooing]
There you are.
All right, darlin’. Time for bed.
[bells dinging]
[cows mooing]
Good night.
[animals chattering]
All right, just hold on.
What I know is,
we said we wouldn’t pay tolls to anyone.
If you want to hold another vote in the morning, we can.
But for now, you just keep your eyes open, all right?
And don’t expect to see Napoleon’s army.
If they come, it’ll be just a few
trying to stampede the animals.
Might stampede on their own, boxed in like this.
Yeah, there’s always that chance.
And if anybody wants to stay up,
keep an eye on his property, I’d understand that.
Just know we start 14 more hours in the morning.
And we’ll do 14 more after that.
That’s our preservation.
Keeping that pace.
[sighs]
[cattle mooing]
[cattle mooing]
[bells dinging]
[cattle mooing]
[bells dinging]
[cattle mooing]
Hugh?
Hugh?
They were talking like it’s Apaches, Matthew.
It’s not.
We’re not in that country yet. All right?
Well, what about Chiricahuas?
That’s just another kind of Apache. So, again, no.
What books are you reading, Virgil?
[Buckhout chuckles]
You’re just scaring yourself.
[clears throat]
Help you with something, Mr. Proctor?
[Van] And she’s sure it was those two?
Yes.
Yeah, it would be.
And you wouldn’t just talk to them yourself?
Well, I wasn’t sure,
this being a disciplinary issue,
I thought that you’d be the…
No, I don’t blame you.
All right.
What about your wife?
You’re not afraid to talk to her, are you?
No, not usually.
You tell her why is she bathing in the drinking water?
Oh, well, I think she thought that
as long as it was ours, then there was no…
But it’s not yours. You’re just carrying it.
You know when we hit water next? Barring rain?
No.
No, you don’t. And neither do I.
But there’s desert ahead.
Means there may come a time when we draw straws
for the last of the water,
and maybe you don’t get a straw.
You tell her that.
Listen to me.
You watch how and when the others bathe.
All right? You do like them.
We will, sir. And I’ll tell her. And you’ll…
And I’ll talk to those men.
Thank you.
Gentlemen?
I understand there was a lady bathing outside that wagon
earlier tonight?
Understand you two got a pretty good look at her.
Is that right?
Sounds like gossip.
Well, I wasn’t here, so I can’t say,
but I do know when complaints are made,
I’m the one that’s got to hear ’em.
Did we vote this man captain?
You ‘member?
Well, enough others did, Sig, that it’s become my job.
You two, listen,
you’ve been a help to me, so far.
Looking after the stock.
I got no problem with you, myself.
But if somebody else does…
I do have to take that into account.
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
Beg your pardon?
He said, I guess when some fool lady
wants to undress out in the open…
we’re better off throwing an apron over our head
and turning ourself in to the law.
Is that right?
I don’t think that’s what I’m saying,
and I think you know that.
No, you don’t think.
Do you?
That might be your problem right there.
Now, you can sit here, Captain, listen to our side…
maybe figure out who you’re trying to scold.
[sighs]
But you know, from the look of you,
I think you’d rather just get.
Just…
just steer clear of that woman and her husband, is all.
It’s a worry I don’t goddamned need.
Yep.
And there he goes.
[chuckles]
[tense music playing]
Did you get her boy?
[Junior] No.
Good.
It’s not welcome here.
Bring him inside.
But they haven’t ate yet.
It’s okay.
You haven’t ate.
Take this.
Go on. It’s okay.
[crows cawing]
Were you with him?
You oughtta been.
That’s your brother.
Yeah, I see that…
I see that as a mistake.
Who was it, did this?
Saddle tramp. We didn’t know him.
Get his name?
I did.
Hayes Ellison.
We know his looks, and his horse and kit.
Clerk said he’s got family around Council Grove,
so I sent Mike and two others that way.
Your mother told you to take him inside.
[suspenseful music playing]
Hayes, what are you looking at?
Honey, there’s nobody following us.
[Guard barking]
[Guard] Come on, get it.
Come on and get it. Get it. Get it.
[laughing]
This is from me to you.
No charge, sabbe. No charge.
Burns a bit, huh? But it’s good.
Get it.
[banging on door]
Abel!
You wait here, chief.
Don’t touch that.
Ain’t yours yet.
See this?
I could if you moved that fat head.
[Guard] That makes six or seven of them.
Probably pretty well-armed.
Why wouldn’t they be?
This is gonna make my week.
[horses neighing]
[indistinct chatter]
You must see enough in here to do a trade with ’em.
Yeah, well, I manage anyhow.
Well, I’d like to know where they all go
when they ain’t here.
Might be looking on the moon,
for all the sign we found out there.
Well, I suggest you just sit still
and let them come to you.
Yeah, we tried that once.
I prefer to stay moving.
Son, I got black licorice all the way from St. Louis.
Right under here.
I’ll have a look at one of those.
Those?
Those are J.H. Dance 44’s.
And I think you can see them fine from where you are.
I’ll have one.
[chuckling] You’ll have one?
You’re hardly out of short pants, ain’t you?
He’s fine. He’ll grow into it.
Boss, he says he’s leaving.
Chief, just hold your ass. I’ll buy you another drink.
Well, I’ll tell you…
[sighs]
These are a match set,
and I couldn’t sell them separate.
Tell him. It’s his money.
All right, then.
He’ll probably want to try ’em first.
Fine. You take it outside, and he pays for the bullets.
Boss, he says if you don’t sell him anything,
he’s gonna take his smelly antelope and leave.
[Abel] Get him the hell out of here.
I take them in, these goddamn Indians.
He comes in here and drags that thing across my floor.
Drinks my liquor for free.
And then he doesn’t want to trade.
Maybe he don’t trust your scales.
Hold on, there.
Someone drag that carcass out of here.
I’ll trade with you.
Russell!
Have a look at this here buck.
He just might be the one who killed your folks.
You never know.
Pionsenay.
[man] Hmm?
I think the Mexicans call him “Puno.”
You know him?
Mm-mm.
[men chattering]
Give it to him.
How’s that feel? Too heavy for you?
Russell.
I’m all right.
What’s this?
You just watch, Elias.
You weren’t here when it started.
You think you can get that out before him?
See if you can get both of them.
[Abel] Oh, no, I’m not having this in here.
You take this outside.
[in Athabaskan] You’re all right.
Stay still.
This is a game.
[in English] You’re gonna draw this kid for his shells.
Against your antelope.
That sound fair to you?
He doesn’t understand.
Oh, yes, he does.
He just wants another bullet is all.
Look at that face.
[in Athabaskan] Go outside.
[in English] That’s right, boys.
Give him some room.
[in Athabaskan] Don’t move.
They’re almost done.
No.
I’m done.
[Janney sighs]
Go on.
Is that his?
Yeah.
Give it to him.
We’re all done in here.
He said that’s enough.
You still want those?
They’re paid for.
[indistinct shouting in distance]
[tense music playing]
How you know it’s them?
I don’t.
I just had a feeling I felt something
behind us for a while now.
I have to ride down there and see.
I’d like to see how they’re working, too, if it is them.
Hayes, there’s a whole world we could go to. You know?
Nothing says we gotta go down there.
[sighing]
We have to feed him. And I’d like to…
and I’d like to earn something too. So, then…
Yeah, after that, anywhere. You just… you just pick.
It’s a place we can risk anyway…
if they just satisfied themselves we’re not there.
I could just catch up with them. Hmm?
I’ll tell ’em who I am and I’ll tell ’em I quit.
And say you left us in Bountiful.
I heard you saying something about California.
Yeah.
They’ll probably just thank you
and send you along, huh?
They could do their worst at this point.
All they know about me is I was looking after him
the night they came.
That’s all I am in any of this.
Why do you think they’d even bother?
You could ask Walter about that.
Well, I might.
You don’t know what happened to them.
You’re not taking the full measure of this, Mary.
Think about how far these men just came
and how long they’ve been at it over one old injury.
I know the man I met was on his way
to kill everyone in that house.
He might as well have been walking up
to get the mail for all it bothered him.
Now they had a second loss
and they’re this much farther out of their way.
I can’t imagine they’ll be any kinder to you this time.
So, they’ll just kill me then.
Right out in front of everyone.
No, they’ll probably take you somewhere quiet, won’t they?
We’ll stay up here tonight.
One more.
Just to be sure.
Uh-huh. Just to be sure.
So we’ll sleep up here. On the ground.
Or in the rain maybe.
I wish you told me you were this funny when we met.
Yeah, I shoulda.
We can risk a fire, anyway.
Ooh, a fire.
[sentimental music playing]
Tomorrow, I’ll…
I’ll ride down there and see what they want
for one of those tents.
So just one more night,
and then all the comforts of home.
[sighing]
I’m sorry. Honey, I’m… I’m ratty today.
Don’t listen to me.
We’re gonna do what you say.
And of course, I know you’re right.
You believe me?
Just wait till I got cleaned up
and I had some sleep. I’ll be better.
You’re fine.
[horses neighing]
[inspirational music playing]
[whimpers]
Ma’am.
Aw.
I’m gonna go pop me General Jackson for you.
We’ll be back for spring formal.
Have a chest full of ribbons, then, too.
And I’ll let you have one.
How’s that?
[soldier 2] Sergeant says that the sight of us
is only gonna encourage enemies of the union.
[chuckles]
Sorry…
we’re just learning how you young men can get called away.
But that you do come back.
[sighs] Of course we do, honey.
Only at higher pay.
[gasps]
Oh, Lizzie, wait.
It’s all right, ma’am.
We understand.
Anyhow, Lizzie…
you be a help to your mom.
We’ll be hearing about you.
Ma’am.
[sniffling]
[Riordan chuckles]
Well, what we got here?
[laughs] Well…
Would you look at this?
Now, ain’t this good luck?
That’s awful nice of you, Lizzie.
[Elizabeth whimpers]
I’m gonna bring this back to you, sweetheart.
I promise you.
[sighs] Oh…
Don’t know if there’s more of where she got those, ma’am?
But if Lizzie could find some for these other boys…
you can see yourself what it’d mean.
Of course.
I’m sorry. I should have seen that myself.
Lizzie?
[indistinct chatter]
None of ’em will admit to the fear of not having one…
but often enough it’s trifles like these they march for.
That bit of cloth, to them…
that’s your daughter’s blessing.
And you’ll see,
more than one will die holding it.
It’ll be that dear to them.
[muted]
[inspirational music continuing]
[soldier] ♪ Instead of spa We’ll drink brown ale ♪
You wish you were going with ’em?
[soldiers singing along]
They start drawing an active wage, anyhow.
You know, the work we do out here, Trent, it’s…
it’s no kind of spectacle.
That doesn’t make it any less important.
It might not be easy for you to see that, just now.
[sentimental music playing]
[birds chirping]
[panting]
Oh no, baby, that’s hot.
That’s hot. You don’t touch that.
Okay? What’s that?
Huh?
What is this?
[gasps]
A cigar cutter?
This is sharp!
You’d like Hayes to find that, I guess?
What? You worry he’ll throw you out?
Hey, maybe I’ll leave it then. Huh?
As a favor to you.
You don’t seem able to move on your own.
I will.
Yeah, you said.
I don’t know. I, uh, begin to have my doubts.
You’re not gonna touch this. Okay?
That’s hot. You play with this ball.
Or maybe you really started to see yourself
as that boy’s mother now, huh?
Yeah, well, don’t you worry about that.
‘Cause he ain’t fooled. Believe me.
What?
Hey, you remind yourself of anyone’s mother you know?
And how do you think Hayes
would work out as a father, huh?
You think he asked for any of this?
I don’t know.
He’d try, anyway. Maybe.
He’ll be better off, trust me.
[sighs]
Well, if it ain’t for Hayes,
I don’t know what we’re doing here, honey.
Is it?
[scoffing]
Hell, I do not see a problem in leaving a man like that.
Like what?
He’s the only decent person in this.
You don’t know a damn thing.
Aw, ain’t you decent?
I’m good enough for you.
All right.
I’m just saying, we gotta go.
If I stay any longer…
Christ, I might have to find a job here.
[groans]
And that’d just about kill you, I guess.
[grunts]
[groaning]
I think I’ve dawdled here long enough.
Just let me figure this out.
Tomorrow, honey. You see if I’m kidding.
[panting excitedly]
Oh!
Oh, I’m so sorry.
I’m so sorry. He wanted to see the donkey.
The donkey, I think.
[speaking other language]
[in English] Oh, he can pat.
Pat the donkey. Yeah.
Thank you. Thank you.
[man] Whoa, whoa, whoa!
All right, everybody out.
Tomorrow he only wants ten, he said.
So I need the first ten of you lined up here, ready to work.
English speakers only. You understand that?
He don’t want no more Chinese.
Somebody needs to tell them he don’t want no more.
No more Chinese.
That’s right. No more Chinese.
English speakers only.
Let’s go. Hup.
[speaking other language]
[thunder breaking]
[Tracker sighs] You were right.
It was Ruiz and that German.
Mr. Strauss?
[Tracker] Yeah.
We lost them before we come through that notch.
Told Ned they was tired.
All right.
It wasn’t their cause anyway.
I don’t know. Makes you wonder
when we’ll be too few to continue.
What about your six?
Looks like you’re about to become our majority.
Well, I’ll be honest with you,
they’d like to see different results.
I think all of them would.
I’ve been asked if you’d even recognize your Injuns by now.
I think I might.
What does that mean?
I mean finding Injuns, Elias, that’s not your problem.
I’m just asking if it’s all important they be yours?
[Russell] No.
It’s not.
[thunder breaking]
Well, as soon as you all get over
being particular about that,
well, by God, I can show you five settlements
like I can show you five fingers.
And if they didn’t burn your town…
well, they did just as bad or they will.
We’ll need our own Injuns too.
They’re easier. We just buy them.
Buy ’em with what?
Well, I see all these cartridges you saved
by not shooting at anything.
I don’t have to tell you how crazy Injuns are for them.
Hell, a Mescalero will track his own mother for one.
Box of bullets out here will buy you
a whole goddamn Injun army, I know that for a fact.
Well, I’m not saying that you…
have to give up this idea of finding your White Mountains.
I’m just saying you could make a living at this
while you’re at it.
Keep you sharp.
[thunder rumbling]
[sighs]
[thunder breaking]
[gasps]
[thunder breaking]
[gasps]
[cow mooing]
[bell dinging]
No, no. Oh gosh. No.
[sighs] Oh no. Let me see. Let me see.
It’s fine. It’s fine.
[chuckles]
Come on.
[pleasant music playing]
[laughing]
Nah.
Oh God.
Shh.
I’m putting you to sleep.
We’re gonna wake that child, Mary.
Really, I’m… I’m about…
I’m about used up.
Not all the way, you’re not.
You just lay there.
[breathing heavily]
[speaking other language]
[in English] “His name is Samson.
Or shorter for Sam.
His parents are dead.
Please care for him.”
[groaning]
[lively chatter]
[birds chirping]
[rustling]
[panting]
[sighs] Lieutenant.
I’m sorry. I’m just, um… I need a minute.
With me?
Mm.
Well, I hope it’s something good.
You just scared off all my help.
[chuckles]
Yeah, I’ll get them back.
You know, I don’t usually deal in the gossip of the camp.
But I guess there’s been some…
speculation from some of them
about you and me.
And I apologize if you’ve heard any of that,
and I don’t want you to think I’m a part of it.
No, I didn’t.
And I don’t…
I hope, ma’am, that my behavior…
I haven’t…
encouraged any feelings in you
that I couldn’t possibly entertain, myself.
So, it would be in light of your being married?
Now, if any of this has come
from my friend Mr. Chavez, then, uh…
you should understand he likes to play in my affairs
with the idea that he’s helping me.
Maybe he’s seen some chance
that you might be happy, that’s all.
And he doesn’t see any old-fashioned reason
why you shouldn’t be.
Neither do I.
You know, I won’t presume anything about you,
but whatever it is you’ve rehearsed to say to me,
I think you’ve said it.
Strictly, there’s no reason for you to stay here.
And here you are.
[pleasant music playing]
[chuckles]
You don’t need to worry about your behavior
around me, Mr. Gephart.
So far, you have been the soul of honor.
Really, I’ve been wondering when you’ll stop.
[pleasant music continuing]
[somber music playing]
[tense music playing]
[horse neighs]
[whispers] Whose is that?
Russell, whose is that?
His.
I swear to you I tied it.
[horses neighing]
Oh, God.
[in Athabaskan] What are you doing?
You’re too far.
[breathing heavily]
[in English] Well, this looks damn unhealthy.
Tarak!
[woman speaking Athabaskan]
[woman speaking Athabaskan]
Tarak!
[in English] All right.
[grunting]
This might not be up to us, after all.
When we start this thing,
you take this up there and look out over the river,
against anything coming back.
You plan on carrying that whole rig up there with ya?
Well, all right.
Maybe you’ll have better luck with it this time.
[woman speaking Athabaskan]
[in English] How far now?
[speaking Athabaskan]
[in English] He says the wind’s with us,
but they might still hear.
[woman shouting in Athabaskan]
[woman shouting in Athabaskan]
[horse neighs]
[woman speaking Athabaskan]
[tense music continuing]
Oh, no. Don’t do that.
[rifle clicks]
Boss.
[Tracker] Huh?
[tense music continuing]
[sighs]
When I say…
[tense music continuing]
[gunshot]
[horses neighing]
[Native Americans whooping]
[gunfire]
[sad music playing]
[gunfire continuing]
[breathing heavily]
[Native Americans whooping]
[gunfire continuing]
[sad music continuing]
[gunshot]
[Janney] Russell!
[gunshot]
Russell!
We still all right?
[panting]
[groaning]
[tense music playing]
[gasping]
[grunts]
[neighing]
[panting]
[horse screaming]
[gasping, grunting]
[grunts]
[tense music continuing]
[Tracker whistles]
[Tracker] You’re watching the river!
[gunshot]
[grunting]
[groans]
[groans]
[gunshot]
[whistles]
[grunting]
All right, we better move before this gets complicated.
Didn’t think it’d be so easy.
Yeah, what do you think now?
[man laughing]
Hey, Russell!
Come on!
We done here.
[adventurous music playing]
[adventurous music continuing]
[inaudible]
[adventurous music continuing]
[adventurous music continuing]
[music stops]
[neighs]
[adventurous music continuing]
[inaudible]
[adventurous music continuing]
[adventurous music continuing]
[adventurous music continuing]
[adventurous music continuing]
[adventurous music continuing]
[music ends]
♪ Amazing grace ♪
♪ How sweet the sound ♪
♪ That saved a wretch ♪
♪ Like me ♪
♪ I once was lost ♪
♪ But now am found ♪
♪ Was blind ♪
♪ But now I see ♪
♪ ‘Twas grace that taught ♪
♪ My heart to fear ♪
♪ And grace ♪
♪ My fears relieved ♪
♪ How precious did ♪
♪ That grace appear ♪
♪ The hour ♪
♪ I first believed ♪
♪ Through many dangers ♪
♪ Toils and snares ♪
♪ I have already come ♪
♪ ‘Tis grace hath brought ♪
♪ Me safe thus far ♪
♪ And grace will lead ♪
♪ Me home ♪
[singing in other language]
[in English] ♪ When we’ve been here ♪
♪ Ten thousand years ♪
♪ Bright shining ♪
♪ As the sun ♪
♪ We’ve no less days ♪
♪ To sing God’s praise ♪
♪ Than when ♪
♪ We’d first begun ♪
[vocalizing]
