Kit Carson (1940) - full transcript
Trapper Kit Carson and his band of men join John C. Fremont on his way to California. Enroute they are subjected to Indian attacks that are propagated by the Mexican Government, that does not want the contingency to reach California. Once in California, Fremont and Carson initiate a campaign to free the state from Mexican control.
♪
Nobody in Bridger Fort
will ever believe
there's that many beavers
in the world.
You figure we'll go back
to same place next year?
We never go back nowhere.
No use going back
some place you've been
when there's so many places
you ain't been.
You know
what's wrong with you?
You got a disease,
horizon fever.
You always want to see
what's on the other side
of the hill.
I'll be plenty glad
to ride over these hills.
I've a got a feeling
this country's bad medicine.
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
Indian ponies
made them tracks.
Yeah, Shoshones today.
That's funny.
They took to the woods
instead of staying on the trail.
It has been awful quiet.
I ain't heard
a bird chirp in a week.
Too quiet.
Aw, we're just
imagining things.
I'll bet you five beaver skins
there ain't an Indian
inside of 20 miles of here.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
[INDIANS SCREAM]
[GUNSHOTS]
[GUNSHOTS CONTINUE]
I ain't dreaming, am I?
Them Shoshones have got guns!
[BULLET WHIZZING]
They have got guns, all right.
Don't forget that's
five beaver skins you owe me.
I bet you another five I don't
live long enough to pay ya.
[GUNSHOTS]
They're going to rush!
Wait until you can't miss,
then pick off the chiefs,
so we can break them up.
[GUNSHOTS]
All right, give it to them!
[YELLS]
Won't try that again.
Not for a while.
-You think you can make it?
-Maybe.
The whole Shoshone war party's
right over behind that rim.
Yeah.
Lucky for us, Indians are
superstitious
about attacking at night.
Our only chance is to get
out of here before daylight.
Well, here goes.
Easy, Kit.
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
Yeah, pull them in.
-Give me the rope.
-[GRUNTS]
Get up, there! Come on, get up!
That's a girl!
If I don't meet you on top of
Badger Pass by tomorrow sundown,
you know I ain't coming.
Here. You better take these,
just in case.
All right.
-All right, get him up.
-[GRUNTS]
-Come on, boy. Come on.
-Up with you, buddy.
Come on, get up!
Get up! Get up now!
Get up now!
Remember now, yell loud.
All right, here we go.
[BOTH MIMICKING INDIAN SCREAM]
[ALL SCREAM]
[GUNSHOTS]
[GUNSHOTS CONTINUE]
[WAR MUSIC PLAYING]
[BELLS TINKLING]
[GRUNTS]
I swear, you're the eatin'-est
folks I ever see.
Well, there's a lot of us.
[SIGHS]
Mr. Bridger,
I've been considering
the advisability
of sending a scouting party
out to look for Carson.
Well, Captain Fremont,
that might be all right.
If you knew where to look.
You sure Carson said
he was coming back here?
Yeah.
But you said that Carson said
he'd back in the spring.
Well, give the man a chance,
can't you?
It ain't no more
than half past April, is it?
Besides, he didn't know
you folks was waiting for him.
If he did, he'd lit out quicker
than you could say "Scat!"
I'm gonna move
to where a man
can have
a little peace and quiet.
Used to be when a man heard
a horse's hooves in this
country, he cocked his rifle.
Now all it means
is more people and wagons,
pestering you
to buy something.
[MIMICKING INDIAN SCREAM]
[LAUGHING]
Carson! Kit Carson!
Hiya, Jim! Hiya, Queenie!
Look at the old plutocrat
sitting here getting fat
in the lap of luxury!
How are you?
Well!
I'm glad to see you!
Ape Eaton, it's a wonder you
ain't been plugged for a pie,
you toting that thing
from Australia!
-[CHIMING]
-Oh, Lopez,
I'm so happy to see you!
I ain't heard a lick of
good music since you left.
Except if you'd call
an Indian caterwauling music.
I think you're going to have
plenty of music pretty quick!
Go ahead!
Say, I was never so happy to
see anybody in my life, Kit.
I see you've got plenty of
company, even soldiers.
Oh, they ain't my company,
they're yours.
Been waiting for you
for three weeks.
Mine?
Well, as near
as I can find out,
they're mighty anxious
to get to California.
And you're gonna
show them the way.
Well, I've been mighty anxious
about getting back here.
JIM: Where's the rest
of the boys?
Ain't they coming in
this year?
No.
We're all there is.
But your pelts?
Two years' work?
We left them back there.
Where we left the boys.
Shoshones, Jim.
Why, they were standing on
each other's shoulders
trying to get at us,
-you know what I done?
-No.
I just honed an edge
on old Betsy here.
And I'd thrown her
right at their heads!
And every time she'd come back,
she'd bring a scalp
right with her.
We saved a lot of time
that way, Jim.
Ape Eaton, it's too bad
they let you get away
from that jail,
when they had the worst liar,
as well as the worst thief
that ever hit Australia.
Australia?
You talk like that's
the only place I've ever been.
And you talk like
you could go back!
[LAUGHING]
Have you ever seen
one of these, Jim?
Yeah.
A heap of 'em
in California.
They're Spanish.
Ain't as good as ours.
Well, they're good enough.
That's why the rest of the boys
ain't coming in.
Well, there ain't
a white man in North America
who'd give a gun to an Injun.
We ain't had no trouble
with the Shoshones.
We got it now.
She was one fine fight,
my friend.
She last six hours.
You ain't gonna
just sit there.
You gonna do something.
I sure am gonna do something.
First, I'm going down to the
creek and take me a bath.
Then I'm going to get me
some clean clothes.
Then I'm going to take me
a night's sleep
that'll last,
oh, maybe two weeks.
In a bed.
Hey, have you got any soap?
Yep.
And I've got a hotel, too.
Why, you can have a bath
right in your own room.
Private-like.
Well, that's plumb wonderful.
I reckon you make people
pay for that.
Yep.
$22 a day.
But that includes soap
and running water.
[WHISTLES]
I'll have to owe ya.
Oh. [LAUGHS]
Well, that's all right.
That's the reason
to keep the price so high.
Nobody pays no how!
♪ Oh, Buffalo Gals
Can't you come out tonight
♪ Can't you come out tonight
Can't you come out tonight
♪ Oh, Buffalo Gals
Can't you come out tonight
♪ And dance in the light
of the moon
♪ Oh, Buffalo Gals
Can't you come out tonight
♪ Can't you come out tonight
Can't you come out tonight
♪ Oh, Buffalo Gals
Can't you come out tonight
♪ And dance by the light
of the moon ♪
-[KNOCK ON DOOR]
-Come in!
There's a couple of gents
want to see you, Kit.
Well, they want to come in
or wait till I come out?
-Mr. Carson?
-Yeah?
My name's Fremont.
I'm in command of those troops
outside the stockade.
Mr. Carson, I have orders
to find the shortest
practical route to California,
and map it as I go.
There's some
mighty pretty country
between here and California.
When are you aiming
to start, Captain?
Just as soon as I can enlist you
as civilian scout.
The job pays $100 a month,
your horses in pound.
That's a heap of money.
Are them settler's wagons
with you?
Oh, yes. Mr. Terry is the
leader of the wagon train.
We're just kind of tagging along
after Captain Fremont.
We broke away
from the big train
that was taking the
Oregon Trail.
All of our folks
are California-bound.
I know a lot of folks
who'd be uneasy about
taking wagons cross-country
between here and California.
Not when we heard that
Captain Fremont
was taking you as his guide.
This is the article
of agreement,
drawn up and signed
by every member of our party,
appointing one Kit Carson
as wagon master.
KIT: You've got women
and children
in them wagons, ain't you?
FREMONT: Yes, of course.
KIT: I don't reckon
I'm your man.
You mean, you refuse?
See that? Just what
I was telling you, Cap.
Kit ain't the kind to go
traipsing around the country
with a passel of women
and young'uns.
Them Shoshones would go
a long ways
for
a white woman's scalp.
I think they'd kind of like
them brass buttons
on your coat, too, Captain.
[LAUGHING]
You boys don't sound as if
you think much of soldiers.
We don't.
Where you find soldiers,
you find trouble.
But when you find trouble,
you can't find the soldiers.
Mr. Carson what you and your
men think of the army
is your affair.
I'd counted on your help.
But with or without it,
I'm going to take
these soldiers to California.
You don't look like the kind
of a fellow
that'd just hand his wife
and friends over
to a flock of savages.
We've both
faced Indians before.
Indians with rifles?
Mr. Carson,
the men and women with me
expect hardship and dangers,
the same hardships
and the same dangers
the settlers of Kentucky, Ohio
and Missouri had to face.
KIT: Maybe.
Shall we go, Mr. Terry?
It seems Mr. Carson isn't
interested in American history.
Why, he refused!
I'd like to talk to that
Mr. Carson for a minute.
-Hey!
-[ALL LAUGH]
[WOMEN SCREAM]
WOMAN: Please! Please! No!
Get out of here! Oh!
Oh, I forgot to tell you
that there was
a lady next door.
Her name is Dolores Murphy.
And Captain Fremont says her
pa owns half of California.
What's she doing here?
She's going to California with
the rest of the wagon folks.
Plumb too bad.
[BOTH LAUGH]
-No use.
-Oh, Terry.
I know how
your people must feel.
I guess we're fools,
never thinking
Carson might refuse.
Terry, I'm an army officer and
I can't tell you what to do.
But I can tell you this,
my command
is going to California.
Now, this is a free country.
I can't stop you
from following me.
How soon can you march,
Mr. Terry?
Load 'em! Roll out!
[ALL SHOUTING EXCITEDLY]
[TRUMPET PLAYING]
Lieutenant, take charge
of company.
They look very good
up to Fort Bridger, Sergeant.
But from now on,
it's got to look better.
Yes, sir!
MAN: Ready!
Is everything all right
with you, Miss Murphy?
Captain Fremont, it was
such a splendid gesture,
permitting us to follow you.
Oh, well, Miss Murphy, it's the
duty of the United States Army
to assist and protect all
citizens of the United States,
wherever they are.
We're very grateful.
And if you can endure
the contact
with rough and ready soldiers
for another three months,
I think I can assure
that we'll reach California.
Even without Carson.
Well, I haven't
found it difficult
to endure
rough and ready soldiers
for the past eight weeks.
[SIGHS]
But, you are disappointed,
about Carson, I mean.
Yes. He knows this country
better than anyone.
I sure'd have felt
much safer with him.
I shall be a fool not to admit
my disappointment.
Are you sure you've used
every argument?
I offered him everything
my authority permitted.
He always wears his
bare feet, ma'am,
when he ain't
aiming to go no place.
Are you Mr. Carson?
Uh, yes, ma'am.
How much money did you make
last year, Mr. Carson?
JIM: He didn't make
nothing last year.
Nor the year before.
But, senorita,
we have one fine time.
Mr. Carson,
I'll pay you $1,000 in gold
and your expenses
to take me to California.
And $200 each
for your assistants.
I make one reservation.
The other wagons
are to go with me.
If you offered me $10,000,
I'd still think
that army fellow, Fremont, and
them other people are fools.
I should've known better than
to practically beg you.
Uh, yes, ma'am, you should.
Mighty spirited gal, that.
Beautiful hair.
I can just see it drying outside
of some Shoshone teepee.
You don't need
to worry about her hair.
Some Shoshone will just pick all
of her up and lug her away.
Oh, why don't you shut up.
Well, I was just thinking.
You know, we sure are lucky.
Nothing to do, but just sit
here, and eat and sleep.
LOPEZ: That is right,
my friend.
We're going to have
one fine time.
APE: All them silly people
riding out there
to get themselves killed.
[TRUMPET PLAYING]
You know, there's going to be
a lot of singing and dancing
this summer
in them Indian villages.
When those bucks come
riding in with their scalps,
and squaws start to torture
the prisoners.
Well, I guess I'd better go
look at the horses.
A fella gets awful lazy,
sitting around doing nothing.
[CHIMES]
-Where are you going?
-Who, me?
Oh, I will go help my friend
not to get lazy.
-Straight ahead, Sergeant,
due West.
-Yes, sir.
Care to increase the speed of
your horses, Mr.Terry?
I'll try, sir.
I want to make speed
where speed can be made.
Yes, sir. Yee, boy!
Hiya, Terry!
That job of wagon master
still open?
Sure is, if you want it.
On one condition.
I'm the wagon boss.
Here. This belongs to you.
And I was never so glad to get
rid of anything in my life.
Glad to me you, boss.
Any orders?
Yeah. Slow down your horses.
You'll get where you are going
quick,
if you don't hurry so fast.
Yes, sir! Whoa, now! Steady!
You boys ride down the line and
check over the water
barrels and axles.
-Si.
-All right.
Howdy, folks!
Here, take this.
I'll change places with you
for a spell.
You seem a mite too eager to get
to California the first day.
Whoa! Steady now.
Whoo! Slow down.
I beg your pardon, Captain, but
the wagon train is
falling back again.
They may as well learn
right now that they must
keep up with the troop.
-Yes, sir. Right, sir!
-Straight ahead, Sergeant.
Driver,
shake up those horses.
Howdy, General.
Why, what are you
doing on that wagon?
Oh, driving it, Colonel,
to California.
What made you
change your mind?
Maybe it was just curiosity.
I'm a mighty curious fellow.
Especially, about Indians
having guns.
Very well.
But I need you
at the head of the column.
Come with me.
Every man
to his own job, General.
I am taking the wagons
to California.
And I'll get them there quicker
by not killing the horses.
Do I understand that
you are employed by Mr. Terry?
I am the wagon boss.
Very well.
Mr. Carson,
my wagon will obey
Captain Fremont's orders.
Did you sign
your name to this?
Why, yes I did but I...
Whoo now! Steady.
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
Heya, boys.
[SIGHS]
I've noticed you didn't bother
building a fire, ma'am.
Unless you got one in the wagon,
I think you should be
a mite hungry.
Thank you, but I'm dining
with Captain Fremont.
Oh.
-Good evening, Carson.
-Good evening, General.
Oh, what a pity to spoil it, you
make such a perfect
picture up there.
Thank you.
Hey, Kit, look.
I ain't dining with Captain
Fremont.
[CLANKING]
Post number three, 8:00,
and all's well!
[CHIMING]
Just think, I'm eating wild
animal stew and liking it.
Nothing's much better than being
tired and a little hungry
and having an antelope stew
around the campfire.
You like this sort of thing,
don't you?
Yes, ma'am.
I never was much for houses.
You can't see
through the walls.
Well, I got work to do.
-You better check the axles
again, Ape. -All right.
What strange fur
you have on your jacket.
That ain't fur ma'am,
that's hair.
-Hair?
-Mmm-hmm.
-Human hair?
-Sure. Them Shoshone's scalps.
I got a Cheyenne and a Ute
back there someplace
but they don't match very good
so I've put them back behind.
Scalps? You mean, you...
Yes, ma'am, sure!
Scalps, senorita,
is a very good thing to have.
When the Indian know
his enemy collect scalps,
he not jump so quick.
You see, miss.
A brave can't get into Indian
heaven without his scalp on.
That's why he's so scared
to lose it, see.
[CLEARS THROAT]
I was... I was going to have
rug made out of these,
braided like horse hair.
-A rug?
-Sure!
I knew a fellow once that had
his cabin roofed with them.
Of course he had a family.
-He had to have a roof on his
cabin. -[CHIMES LOUDLY]
I think you are fibbing
about the rug.
Well, a little.
You don't want to believe
everything I say, ma'am.
I'm an awful liar.
[TRUMPET BLOWING]
I wonder if the captain kisses
his boys goodnight every night
before he tucks them in.
That may put them
soldier boys to sleep.
But it'll wake up every Indian
east of the Rocky Mountains.
So,
the American captain, Fremont,
and his party have actually
penetrated Shoshone country.
Yes, Excellency.
Where are they now?
They're entering the foothills
of Sierra Nevadas.
Have my orders
been carried out?
Yes, Excellency.
How many rifles
have you distributed
to the Shoshones?
500, Excellency.
And they're ready to use them
as I suggested
to keep the white man
out of Shoshone territory?
Yes, Excellency.
Go back.
And be sure that Captain Fremont
does not cross the
Sierra Nevadas.
Uh, see that Lieutenant Ruiz
has everything he requires.
But such an order is murder.
You are arming the Indians,
inviting them to destroy
the white men.
I am inviting them to destroy
a very dangerous enemy.
There are times when I think
you're actually
sympathetic to Americans.
Well, why not?
I have many Americanofriends.
Yes, I must remember that.
You know, Vallejo,
I am not fooled by this Captain
Fremont and his
scientific expedition.
At the moment, Americans coming
to California must spend
months at sea.
But if Captain Fremont
can cut his way through
to California by land,
an army can follow him.
You have distributed the
presents we've brought from
General Castro?
-Yes, Lieutenant Ruiz.
-Good.
I will need you to help me
handle the Shoshones.
Yes, Lieutenant.
[DRUM PLAYING]
My Shoshone brothers,
the wagon train
must be destroyed.
And the Americanoskilled!
The wagons are not led
by foolish soldiers,
or stupid settlers,
but by a great enemy,
who has taken
many Shoshone scalps.
Kit Carson.
Tonight, we will attack,
with the cunning of the wolf!
You seem to be making great
progress with your history,
Mr.Ape.
Oh, yes, ma'am.
I'm halfway through
my second pencil.
I don't reckon I'd never
written this history,
if you hadn't given me
the idea, this here book.
Well, it seemed a pity to see a
great imagination like
yours going to waste.
Oh, it ain't going to waste
no more, ma'am.
Anytime I run out of history,
I... I just fall back
on that imagination.
[HORSES WHINNYING]
Them horses
is plumb spoiled, ma'am.
They're always
wanting attention.
[HORSES WHINNYING]
Steady boy.
Ain't it funny how a horse can
smell an Indian a mile away?
Two miles. We'll look into it.
Sorta slip out around
the camp.
Well, this is as far as I can
go, until I find out what
size shoe he wears.
You mean,
you haven't asked him?
I should think
after all this time,
you two would be arriving
at an understanding.
Well, Mr. Carson is one of those
big, strong silent men
who are a little bit difficult
to understand.
-Mmm.
-And...
after all, it is rather
personal, isn't it?
Oh, I don't know.
Mr. Ape, uh, wears size 12.
Oh, Mr. Carson,
I was wondering if...
I'm sorry, ma'am, but I can't
stop and talk to you now.
Carson seems to be
in kind of a hurry.
Oh, did you notice that too?
He spent the afternoon trying to
convince me that we were
heading into trouble.
Oh, these scouts, they see an
Indian behind every bush.
We mustn't forget that they've
lived among savages for so long,
they're practically
savages themselves.
Well, if there was any danger
of my forgetting,
Mr. Carson would
constantly remind me.
[VOCALIZING]
[SPEAKING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE]
That's mighty interesting.
I didn't understand any of it.
That one fellow
was telling the chief
that the soldiers are no good
without horses.
So, they're gonna run off
the General's horses.
Oh!
CARSON: That's plumb peculiar.
The fella that gave the orders
to the Shoshones to run off
the Generals horses
made tracks that toe out.
No Shoshone make these tracks.
No Indian made them.
Come on. We gotta
warn Terry and the boys.
One more mountain to cross
and then California.
Will you be happy?
Well, isn't one always happy
going home?
I don't know,
California isn't my home.
Oh, but, we'll make you
feel at home.
Will you?
Of course.
Home is where the heart is.
I'd be the happiest man in the
world, if I were really
going home with you.
Well, I'm... I'm not quite
sure I understand you.
I want to be very sure,
you do understand me.
The happiest duty, I've ever had
has been to guard you.
Feel responsible for you.
These weeks on the trail have
made me very sure, of one thing.
I love you very much.
I think I've loved you since the
first time I saw you far back
at Kansas landing.
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
If we'd been Shoshones,
General, you'd have been a
little late with that pop gun.
Time a little girl should
be in bed.
You are not starting to tell me
when to go to bed, are you?
I reckon so.
I never heard of anything...
Don't forget now.
I'm the wagon boss.
Wagon boss or not, I'll go
to bed when I feel like it.
You look a mite tired
right now, ma'am.
I hope you're joking, Carson.
If not you're carrying this
wagon boss thing too far.
Maybe.
-Carson...
-Take it easy, Cap.Take it easy.
You probably feel
a great satisfaction
in demonstrating your strength
and mastery on a girl.
It don't take
much strength, ma'am.
You are as light as a feather.
Come on, in you go.
Inside, ma'am.
General, you reckon them
sentries is taking good
care of your horses?
-Of course.
-Let's have a look.
Sometimes that Mr. Carson
makes me so mad,
I could forget that
I'm a lady.
Is that why you're
knitting those socks for him?
What'd Carson mean when he said
we'd better get ready
for trouble?
The Shoshones are gonna try to
run off Fremont's horses.
[HORSES WHINNYING]
[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]
[HORSES WHINNYING]
All right, boys.
[GUNSHOTS FIRING]
You can save
the ammunition, General.
They won't be back.
That's what I meant
about being awful prominent.
It might be a good idea
to make a few changes.
The difference between you and
me Carson is you do
as you please.
I'm governed
by orders and regulations.
-Clanahan, from now on
double the sentries.
-Yes, sir.
I thought
you were sound asleep.
Maybe if you blew
taps again, General.
Come on, we got some more
looking around to do.
I'm mighty curious about them
tracks that toed out.
Come on, Ape.
They came out of
the water here.
Toes-out talked
to the Indians a minute
and then went that way.
CARSON: That's funny.
Right here,
Toes-out got on a horse.
-A horse wearing shoes.
-The Indian ponies don't wear
shoes.
-Mm, Spanish shoes?
-Yeah.
I'm getting curiouser
and curiouser.
-Got that trigger set, Lopez?
-LOPEZ: To one horse's hair.
Hang on to it, I don't want to
get my neck in this thing.
The way I figure it,
we're mighty hot on the trail
of who gave guns
to them Shoshones.
This Toes-out is a white man.
He's laying low and spending his
time spying on the wagon train.
Them Shoshones could...
Could call Toes-out to them
by barking like a coyote.
Maybe we can bring him to us
the same way.
Anyway, it's worth trying.
[BARKING]
[GROANING]
[CHUCKLES]
Looks mighty familiar,
don't it?
Now, that reminds me,
I owe you 10 beaver skins.
[CHUCKLES]
Hey, you know, what?
This is the first time, I ever
see two-legged coyote in trap.
[LAUGHS] Well, cut him down.
But be awful careful with him.
[GROANS]
I have seen you come
a lot closer than that.
Where did you say them guns came
from you gave the Shoshones?
It is much better to talk,
my friend.
I have not got the patience
of my friend Carson.
[WHIMPERS]
[SPEAKING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE]
Hey, Kit, ain't that fire a
little too far away from him?
He might take it chill.
-Maybe, you're right.
-I know you're right, amigo.
You should be much more warm.
Get your wagons in line, Mr.
Terry, I want to get
out of here.
[INDIAN GROANING]
[GROANING]
Carson!
-What's the meaning of this?
-Ooh, I'm having a little talk
with this fellow.
Cut him down.
Ain't you forgetting, General,
he's my prisoner?
I'm trying to remember
that you're a white man.
I wonder why I ever thought you
were anything else but a savage.
Every man to his own
calling I guess, ma'am.
General here fights
canon with canon.
I fight fire with fire.
How dare you compare yourself
to an honorable soldier?
I want you to have a look
at a real savage.
CARSON: Don't worry,
he speaks your language.
He's Lieutenant Ruiz.
General Castro's army.
He can tell you where those
Shoshones got them rifles.
Don't let the war paint
fool you, General.
Talk.
You are a white man.
A brother officer.
RUIZ: You're sworn to uphold
the laws of war.
Like arming Indians to murder
women and children. Talk!
I was only carrying out the
orders of my superior officer.
-General Castro.
-Whose orders?
General Castro, the military
governor of California.
My orders were to keep you, all
of you, from getting
to California.
FREMONT: Why?
Because General Castro
is afraid of Americanos.
Only the Americanos
can keep him from sitting
on the throne of the Aztecs.
From being emperor
of all Mexico and California.
I see.
Lieutenant Ruiz?
FREMONT: Wherever those men go
the laws of the
United States follow.
The penalty for giving arms and
ammunitions to Indians is death.
You reminded me, it is my duty
to enforce the law.
Platoon! Attention!
[SHOUTING ORDERS]
-FREMONT: Dismount!
-No.
Forward march!
Platoon, halt!
Order! One!
Ready!
You can't! I demand a trial.
[WHIMPERING]
Aim!
-FREMONT: Fire!
-[GUNSHOTS]
Order. Halt!
Forward. March!
I don't reckon a fellow like me
could ever learn to do things
like an honorable soldier.
I owe you an apology.
I'm sorry.
I...I didn't understand.
Exactly due west, Sargent.
Ruiz was a bumbling fool.
Send the Shoshone's
more guns and ammunition.
-That's the line, Lieutenant,
continue due west. -Yes, sir.
General!
I still think it's a good idea
to skirt the mountain.
Stay out of there.
I wish I could agree with you,
Carson. But I must go this way.
Sixty miles farther to go
round the mountain.
Might be a good idea to save
lives instead of miles.
These hills are swarming
with Shoshones,
we're safer if we stay
in the open.
Going that way
would be plain poison.
My order is to find the shortest
route to California.
Soldiering would be an easy job
if you knew in advance
there would never be
any danger.
General...
I won't let the wagons
go through that pass.
Then, I guess this is where
we part company.
I don't know much about
orders and things.
But I do know, there's no
way out of that pass
except the way you get in.
I don't even like
the smell of this place.
It's a perfect ambush.
But it is the most
direct route to California.
My job, Carson,
is not to make sure
John C. Fremont and the troupe
of cavalry get to California.
It's to make sure that in case
of need an army can follow.
And when an army moves,
can't afford to waste 60 miles
because the Captain was
afraid of trouble.
But Captain John, we have been
together all the way.
Well, I'm sorry,
but Carson is right.
The pass is no place
for wagons.
Well,
look us up,
if you get to Monterrey.
Perhaps
I'll be waiting for you.
Captain Fremont, we could help
you by going through with you.
-No, Terry.
-I can't tell you how we feel.
How grateful we are.
But I can tell you this, when
they write the
history of the west
your name is gonna stand
out awfully big.
You take good care of your
husband and when you get
to California,
see that he keeps that printing
press running night and day.
Good luck.
I...I don't know what to say.
Doesn't make much difference
as long as it isn't goodbye.
But I was hoping that we'd all
be together, all the way.
Home.
-Will the latch string still
be out? -Better.
The door will be wide open.
Good luck!
Green grass and running water!
-Roll, Mr. Terry.
-All right.
Roll on!
I'm sure now,
the only difference between a
donkey and a soldier
is a uniform.
TERRY: Company! Attention!
In column two!
Left trail, ho!
All right. Let's go.
Send half your braves
to trap Fremont
and the other half to attack
the wagon train.
I'd feel a lot better
if that army
Fremont's always talking about
was following him right now.
Lieutenant, take charge.
Keep a sharp look out.
-It's very quiet no?
-Yeah.
Beats me, we ain't seen
an Indian for days.
The time to be scared of Indians
is when you can't see 'em.
Halt!
Come on!
[GUNSHOTS FIRING]
Hold it!
Listen...
Rifles.
Spanish rifles.
They've got Fremont.
Start your wagons!
Form a circle!
[GUNSHOT]
To the rear! Follow my wagon!
[GUNSHOTS]
Jim, will you let me
use your horse?
Hey now, wait a minute.
Don't you fellows get any
foolish ideas about going
to help Fremont.
Your wagons are full of women
and kids. They come first.
Terry,
there's any danger to the wagon
trains, it'll come from there.
You reckon you can ride over
there, kind of stand guard?
-Yes, sir.
-Don't take any chances.
You see Shoshones moving this
way, fire your rifle.
Yes, sir.
Don't any of you other boys fire
unless Mr. Terry fires first.
Come on.
[GUNSHOTS FIRING]
They're in there, trapped.
They're caught, all right.
Could not warn your wagon train,
after all, eh?
That was Terry's signal.
Ha!
Thanks.
For doing my job.
[TALKING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE]
[SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]
-Oh, there they are!
-[WOMAN SCREAMING INDISTINCTLY]
[GUNSHOTS FIRING]
-They got him! They got him!
-They'll not get him!
[GUNSHOT]
-You all right?
-Yes, I'm all right.
-I thought you... -Sometimes it
don't pay to think.
I killed a man. An Indian.
-I saw him fall. -I reckon
you'll be forgiven for
killing a Shoshone.
-Maybe even two. -Captain John,
is there any chance...
He's licked,
unless he can break through.
[GUNSHOTS]
[PEOPLE SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]
Freddy, keep down!
[GUNSHOTS]
-Kit! Kit!
-Hey, wet down that canvas.
[CLATTERING]
We've only got one chance,
Sergeant. Cross the river.
Doesn't look like
much of a chance, sir.
If I only knew whether men and
horses
could live in that current.
-I'll find out, sir.
-Come back, you fool!
-Clanahan!
-[GUNSHOTS]
Clanahan!
[GUNSHOTS]
[SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]
This is really fun, huh?
Don't fool yourself.
We're in as much trouble
as Fremont.
Neither one of us is strong
enough fight our way out
of this alone.
But if we can get together,
there's a chance.
Oh, sure is a good idea,
if we can only do it.
I'm gonna do it if I have to
blast him out of there. Come on.
Hey!
Hey, you in the back,
tie them tight.
We got one chance between us,
a mighty slim one.
And I'm depending on you to see
that nothing happens
to the ladies.
It's all right, Kit.
Ha!
[ALL SHOUTING]
Come on, now! Get going now!
You take the chief.
Keep going now! Yee-haw!
[GUNSHOTS]
Keep going now!
Way's clear. Charge!
[GUNSHOTS]
[ALL SHOUTING EXCITEDLY]
All Carson needed
was a chance.
Oh, you beautiful sergeant in
blue, you're not so much
too bad after all!
-MAN: Ready!
-[GUNS CLICKING]
Aim!
Fire!
Carry arms!
[SOBBING]
There's more in them graves
than just people.
I'm beginning to believe
I'm a failure as a soldier.
Soldier's supposed
to have courage.
Why, you can't accuse yourself
for lack of courage.
There are different kinds
of courage.
Courage on the battlefield
is one thing.
Courage to tell him
that he was right
when he said, "It might be
better to save 60 lives
than 60 miles,"
is another.
I can't face him
until I tell him.
Yes, I know.
It takes courage
to tell a man the truth,
when the truth hurts.
When I started
to look for you,
I... I knew just what to say.
But, now...
Remembering I called you
a savage,
I don't think I'll ever be
able to look at you again.
I told you before,
I ain't much to look at.
But if you want to look,
it's easy.
Like this.
Do you remember...
Oh, how many years ago
was it?
that one night, you lifted me
in your arms,
you told me, "It was time for
little girls to be in bed."
You carried me.
I remember.
Well, I wanted to do this then,
but I'm glad I waited until now.
[ROMANTIC MUSIC PLAYING]
Every time I look at
my daughter,
I want to say thank you
all over again.
You've thanked me
so many times
in the last three days,
Mr. Murphy
that I'm beginning to feel
ashamed of myself.
It was only something I could do
to show my gratitude.
You know, I have a feeling
that you're not having a very
good time at your own party.
Well, this is all
kind of new to me.
I feel like a wild mustang
turned loose in a corral with a
string of thoroughbreds.
[CHUCKLES]
I feel very indignant,
Mr. Carson,
the co-guest of honor hasn't
even asked me for a dance.
Well, I, um...
I reckon I ought to go and see
about the horses, ma'am.
Oh, no, no. The horses
are celebrating, too.
Don't you want to dance
with me?
-Well, it...it ain't that,
ma'am. -Well, come on!
Come on!
So,
most Americans
are at Murphy's hacienda,
making a fiesta about
Captain Fremont's arrival.
Yes, Excellency.
That's good.
I've always wanted to get
most Americans together
at one place at the same time.
Major,
you will have a squadron
of cavalry ready to march.
Yes, Excellency.
Tonight, while Murphy and his
friends are making merry,
we will wipe out all the other
American hacienda.
Within the week,
I will proclaim myself dictator
of all Mexico,
which includes California.
Future stories will say, "This
is a momentous occasion."
But I, in my memoirs will say,
[CHUCKLES] "It was
almost too simple."
[ROMANTIC MUSIC PLAYING]
I'm sorry, ma'am, I... I reckon
I ought to sit down.
Aren't you having a good time?
Oh, yes, ma'am!
Only I... I
don't reckon my feet are
made for dancing.
It's like mountain clothes ain't
made to go with silk dresses.
[EXHALES]
Oh, uh, hiya, Johnny!
Sure glad you saw
my smoke signal.
-I need to be rescued.
-[LAUGHS]
Not from so fair a captor.
Oh, no, from me.
Uh,
I will see you later.
-Oh!
-[ALL LAUGHING]
Oh, I...
I'm awfully sorry, ma'am.
It's all right, Mr. Carson,
all right.
Sorry, Lieutenant.
The lady said
it was all right, Mr. Carson.
Come on.
[GASPS] Oh, señor!
I'm sorry, I'm terribly clumsy.
Oh, now, that's all right.
Nobody's hurt.
Adios, señor!
-[GRUNTS] Hi, Kit.
-Hi.
I expected to find you asleep in
the house, in a room, in a bed.
[SCOFFS]
And I don't reckon
I'd have slept so very well.
[LOPEZ SPEAKING SPANISH]
This is the best shindig I ever
was to. My foots is broke.
[SIGHS]
Well, boys, it's happened.
What's the matter?
You sick?
What happened?
It's love. I'm in it.
LOPEZ: Oh-ho!
Who?
Genevieve.
Oh!
Well, what are you
going to do about it?
Well, the first thing
I'm going to do is,
swear off lying.
And then I suppose you're going
to take her by the hand
and lead her around the mountain
country while you trap a beaver,
sleep on the ground
under trees at night,
fight off Indians,
the same time you're trying to
tell her how much you love her.
[SIGHS] I never
thought of that.
You couldn't expect a woman
to live like that. Could you?
No, you couldn't.
I know what I could do.
I can stay right here
in California and settle down,
start being a gentleman.
Could you?
[SIGHS] I reckon it'd take
a long time to make gentleman
out of our kind of material.
Kit Carson, you're the most
discouraging-est man I
ever did know.
[CHUCKLES]
You ought to do
what I'm going to do,
get back where I belong.
You mean,
just forget that I'm in love?
I reckon that's what I mean.
[SIGHS] When are you leaving?
Now. [SIGHS]
[SIGHS] Oh!
Oh, don't feel like this,
my friend.
Regard me,
who admit that
love is come and love is go.
Oh-ho, I've been
in love many times.
Yeah, but never with
nobody like Genevieve.
[JOVIAL MUSIC PLAYING]
Well.
Oh, please forgive me, I...
Tears? Didn't we decide
that homecomings were happy?
I just received this.
Somehow it isn't like Carson
to leave without even
saying good-bye.
Now that he has gone,
it makes it possible for me
to ask you something.
Something I've... I've wanted to
say for a long time.
But I couldn't until now.
A long time ago, back at Fort
Bridger, I asked you
if you could endure the company
of soldiers for three months.
Now I'm asking you if you can
endure the company of
one soldier,
for the rest of your life.
Captain John, you...
You're the finest, most
honorable, most generous man,
but one I've ever known.
Any woman in the world would be
proud and happy to
share your life.
But I... I only want
to share it with one woman.
You want me to be honest,
don't you?
Of course.
The man I love
has just ridden away,
to see about a line of traps
and isn't coming back.
[SOBBING]
Now, if you still want me,
I'll do my best to forget that
there was ever anyone but you.
I'll try to help you forget.
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
Mexican army wagons.
Guns and ammunitions
for Castro.
That Castro is a mighty
bad hombrewith guns.
He don't like Americans like us,
and them folks we just left.
Maybe he's going
to use them guns
to keep other Americans
out of California.
Yeah, maybe.
What's the matter?
I just want to make sure I've
got my pencil, that's all.
Come on, easy.
[SNORING]
I reckon they ain't
expecting visitors.
-[GASPS]
-[COUGHS]
Sorry to burst in
on you like this, General.
But it looks like
you're a prisoner.
Prisoner? Well,
who is a prisoner?
Well, uh, I can't
say it right off.
You are Americano!
-Well, I was born in Kentucky,
if that helps you any. -Oh!
For a moment I... I thought you
might be from General Castro but
it is much better
that you are Americano.
[CHUCKLES]
APE: Get in there
you no-good coyotes!
This way, señores.
I always know
they sleep too much.
SeñorCarson, you may not know
it, but you have do
me a big favor.
Por los santos,General,
you act like you enjoy
to be prisoner.
Well, why not?
General Castro hate only one
thing more than the Americanos,
me.
Every year I bring supply
train from Mexico
to the garrison at Monterey.
This year,
I have feeling General Castro
has decided I have take
my last trip.
So, I'm lucky
to be prisoner, eh?
Well, you don't have to worry
about Castro now, General.
All the way from Mexico I have
worry about my
Americanofriends.
-Why?
-Why?!
Because General Castro will use
the extra ammunition
from my wagon
in his war against
the California Americanos!
War, what war?
-When's it going to start?
-Start?
It has already started!
Earlier tonight a courier
reach me from Monterey.
Castro is already riding
to destroy the outlying
Americanohaciendas!
I reckon we'll have to put off
seeing about them traps.
I reckon we will.
Be sure you get these wagons
to Captain Fremont.
He'll know
what to do with them.
Are you not going with us?
I'll be along later.
All the Americans in
California ain't at the
HaciendaMurphy tonight,
and somebody's gotta
warn them.
If it looks like you can't get
the wagons to Captain Fremont,
be sure nobody else gets them.
Adios, amigo.
Come on, General,
we've got a long ride
ahead of us.
[COMMANDING IN SPANISH]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]
There's a certain fascination
about fire, Lieutenant.
The results are always
so conclusive.
Yeah, what do you want?
Don't waste time!
Take your family
and head for Murphy's.
Castro's burning
the American haciendas!
Come on!
Clear out fast. Castro's on his
way to kill all Americans.
Come on, boy!
Head for Murphy's hacienda!
Castro's burning
everything in sight!
Come on, boy!
[LAUGHS]
Come on, General. Come on now,
get down here, my old fat onion.
-[GRUNTS]
-Oh! Take it easy.
Upsy-daisy!
Captain Fremont,
this here is General Vallejo.
How do you do? I am prisoner.
I am happy to see you.
-How do you do?
-JIM: General Vallejo!
Mi amigo DonBridger!
How are you?
What are you doing here?
For a long time now
there is not room for two
generals in California.
[GRUNTS] It's much better
I'm here.
-Whose idea is this?
-Carson's.
He figured little extra shot
and ammunition
might come in handy.
Where is Carson?
He's out warning
the rest of the Americans.
Warning? Warning about what?
About Castro being on his way
to wipe them out.
Get those wagons unloaded.
It's too bad we can't go into
this fight under the
American flag.
All of us know that
California should be part of
the United States of America.
At least we can fight and die
if we have to like free men.
[ALL AGREEING]
Well, we can't fight
under the Mexican flag.
The very first shot we fire
would make us
rebels and outlaws.
But we could make
the HaciendaMurphy
our own country,
hoist our own flag over it.
[ALL AGREEING]
It's going to be
a new flag, gentlemen,
without a stain upon it.
Worth defending.
[ALL SHOUTING EXCITEDLY]
Gentlemen, gentlemen!
Up to this moment
I've been trying to remember
that I am an officer
in the United States Army,
on a peaceful mission
in a country with which
the United States is at peace.
But I can't forget that you and
your families are Americans.
This is probably going to cost
me my career as an officer,
but I'm going to place
myself and my troops
at your disposal.
At the disposal
of California Republic.
[ALL SHOUTING EXCITEDLY]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
-It's beautiful, my dear.
-[HORSE GALLOPING]
FREMONT: Kit!
I've been following Castro.
He'll be here by
tomorrow morning.
Gentlemen, this is the time
for us to show our colors.
-[DRUM ROLL]
-MAN: Ten hut!
[ALL CHEERING]
-Yeah!
-[SCREAMS]
I'd hate to think that Castro
or anybody else was big enough
to haul that down.
[CHUCKLES]
MAN: Order, arms!
Right shoulder, forward march!
It's a funny thing
about flags, ma'am.
Every one I ever heard
about was put into the hands
of men by a woman.
Why did you come back?
Uh, I guess you'd call it
unfinished business.
Why did it have to be today?
So soon?
I reckon one day
is pretty much like another.
Oh, no it isn't.
Last night I said yes
when Captain John asked me
to marry him.
I'm glad to hear that.
John Fremont is mighty fine
And you deserve the best.
You'll probably feel
quite at home now, Kit.
California Republic's just the
place for a wild mustang.
What are you boys
aiming to do?
Why, we're aiming to fight.
Fight?
With your families
hanging onto your coat tail?
That won't be
a fight, gentlemen.
That will be a massacre.
I reckon we can take care
of our families.
I had a good chance to see
what Castro's bringing
with him.
You would be outnumbered
ten to one,
saying nothing of the artillery
he's got and you haven't.
We've got to fight it out here,
cannon or no cannon.
You're playing
right into Castro's hands.
His plan is to catch
you all together in one place,
finish you all at one time.
Now, if I was you,
the first thing I'd do is
to get the folks that
can't fight plumb out of here
before Castro arrives.
After the women
and kids are safe,
if I was you, General,
I'd take my soldiers
and every Californian
that could ride a horse
or fire a gun.
I'd have ride
right out onto the hills,
just far enough so I could
get back in a hurry.
You want to abandon the
hacienda,leave it undefended,
fight Castro in the open?
Well, not exactly, Mr. Sutter.
I'd leave somebody behind,
like, me and Ape and Lopez,
with a lot of extra guns so we
could make a lot of noise.
And with enough dummies around
the walls to make Castro think
he had all the Americans
in California in one place.
And then,
if I was you, General,
I'd wait till Castro was plumb
certain he's going to
take the hacienda.
And then I'd ride
and hit him from the rear,
like a herd
of stampeding buffalo.
But if your idea doesn't work,
our wives and families
will be left out in the open
at Castro's mercy.
Well, they won't be any
worse off than they are now.
And if Carson's plan
does work,
it means more than just
the defeat of Castro.
It means the independence
of the California Republic!
Gentlemen, if Kit Carson is
willing to sacrifice
everything for us,
why are we hesitating?
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
Sure never figured we could
raise an army this easy.
Oh, that Castro,
will he be surprised!
I'd feel more at home if we was
going to fight Shoshones.
Oh, what is the difference
so long it is
a good fight, huh?
Hey, what is
your name, soldier?
Raymond Smith, General Lopez!
Bueno,when we have beat
General Castro,
I make you a sergeant.
If I didn't know you boys
only had one chance
in a million,
I'd think you're going
on a picnic.
We've been
in tight spots before.
You're not exactly
going on a picnic yourself.
I hope this isn't that
one spot you can't
get out of, Carson.
Well, all a man has to do
is keep wiggling.
My boys in the Californians
will wait for your signal
before we go into action.
I reckon you will be
able to hear it.
Don't take too many chances.
Oh, no, señor.It is General
Castro who take the chances.
Good luck, Ape.
Same to you, General.
Buenas noches, señor.
Buenas noches, amigo.
Oh, Kit, I... I guess
there's still time for you
to take a walk with me
to the gate,
kind of see me off.
Lieutenant, come with me.
All right, come on...
It wasn't like you, Carson,
to just ride away like that
without saying good-bye.
You shouldn't have done it.
Why?
Because she loves you.
I reckon you're wrong, seeing
she's going to marry you.
She isn't that kind of a girl
that could marry a man
without loving him.
Well, there are different
kinds of love, Carson,
just as there are
different kinds of men.
The kind of love
I want from her,
she has for no one but you.
Oh, it was a little different
when I thought
you weren't coming back.
Coming back
was kind of accidental.
If you don't understand that
she isn't interested in what
you have or how you dress,
but what you are,
what you could be,
then you aren't worthy of her.
You're right, General.
That's the way
I feel about it.
That you're worthy
of her, Johnny.
You were, well,
born a gentleman.
You know the right words
to say at the right time,
and the right things to do.
That's why I was mighty glad
when she told me
she said yes to you.
We've come
a long way together, John.
It's no more than right
that we feel the same way
about the same thing.
There's more to it, Kit, than
just us feeling the same thing.
We don't count.
At least, I don't.
She's the one that counts.
When you love somebody enough,
the thing you want
to give most is happiness.
It's funny.
I was thinking the same thing
when I rode off without
saying good-bye.
And she can't have happiness if
she loves you, and marries me.
It'd be a big disappointment
to me, General,
if you can't take care
of her happiness.
As soon as this is all over,
I reckon I'd better just
keep on riding.
Castro's horses
just crossed the river.
They're coming down
through the West Canyon.
Very good. Thank you.
Well, right now,
I'll do the riding.
Here's hoping we can both
wiggle out of this.
Good-bye, Kit.
Good-bye, John.
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
I'm glad to know that I will
find my wagons and Vallejo,
at the HaciendaMurphy.
It will save me the trouble
of hunting him down.
Oh, Kit, hey!
We've got company.
Yeah. We better close them.
Well, looks like it ought to be
just about an even fight.
[CHUCKLES] Just about.
California Republic. [SCOFFS]
I wasn't invited to be present
at the birth of this new nation.
But I'm certainly going to be
present at its death.
Yes, Excellency.
Begin firing!
Yee-haw!
Yee-haw!
Don't the fools ever miss?
Captain Fremont said
all the women have gone.
This is my home.
Captain Fremont,
Carson and his friends
haven't a chance.
In another minute, the hacienda
will be blown to bits.
Let's ride now!
Mr. Larkin when you have
a plan, you must carry it out.
We'll ride
when we hear Carson's signal.
Not before.
Come down here.
You'll get a clear shot!
[GENEVIEVE WHIMPERS]
[SCREAMS]
Cavalry forward!
Kit, here they come!
-Yeah.
-[EXPLOSIONS]
Time for surprise number one.
Get back all of you!
As far as you can get!
Draw sabers!
It's gone out!
Yeah.
DOLORES: Wait! Wait!
Where are you going?
Well, you know that
mine going off is the signal
Johnny Fremont's waiting for.
If we don't let him hear it now,
it'll be too late for everybody.
It sure will.
-[GASPS]
-Ape!
Charge!
Stand back! Wait!
Go back! Go back!
Are you... Are you riding far?
Over the mountain.
But you're still weak.
Three weeks isn't long enough.
A man gets rusty
if he don't keep moving.
The fight for California
is still unfinished business.
Well, Johnny Fremont
will take care of that.
You're going alone?
I reckon.
Well, good-bye.
Good-bye.
-You're not going anywhere.
-Mmm-hmm.
Kind of riding on.
Without permission?
Permission? Whose permission?
Oh, didn't you know a courier
just came from General Kearny?
The United States
have declared war.
We've been ordered south of Los
Angeles to attack Castro.
That's mighty interesting,
but I ain't in the Army.
Oh, yes, you are.
The same courier brought this.
A Chief of Scouts
ranks as a Colonel.
Congratulations,
Colonel Carson.
Johnny Fremont, you're
the stubbornest, toughest,
two-legged white critter
I've ever seen.
Well, I guess that's why
they gave you this job.
Because they knew
you couldn't be licked.
Even by yourself.
Say, um, can a colonel
give orders to a captain?
Yes, sir.
-Oh, Johnny.
-[CHUCKLES]
Attention!
About face!
Forward march!
♪
Nobody in Bridger Fort
will ever believe
there's that many beavers
in the world.
You figure we'll go back
to same place next year?
We never go back nowhere.
No use going back
some place you've been
when there's so many places
you ain't been.
You know
what's wrong with you?
You got a disease,
horizon fever.
You always want to see
what's on the other side
of the hill.
I'll be plenty glad
to ride over these hills.
I've a got a feeling
this country's bad medicine.
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
Indian ponies
made them tracks.
Yeah, Shoshones today.
That's funny.
They took to the woods
instead of staying on the trail.
It has been awful quiet.
I ain't heard
a bird chirp in a week.
Too quiet.
Aw, we're just
imagining things.
I'll bet you five beaver skins
there ain't an Indian
inside of 20 miles of here.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
[INDIANS SCREAM]
[GUNSHOTS]
[GUNSHOTS CONTINUE]
I ain't dreaming, am I?
Them Shoshones have got guns!
[BULLET WHIZZING]
They have got guns, all right.
Don't forget that's
five beaver skins you owe me.
I bet you another five I don't
live long enough to pay ya.
[GUNSHOTS]
They're going to rush!
Wait until you can't miss,
then pick off the chiefs,
so we can break them up.
[GUNSHOTS]
All right, give it to them!
[YELLS]
Won't try that again.
Not for a while.
-You think you can make it?
-Maybe.
The whole Shoshone war party's
right over behind that rim.
Yeah.
Lucky for us, Indians are
superstitious
about attacking at night.
Our only chance is to get
out of here before daylight.
Well, here goes.
Easy, Kit.
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
Yeah, pull them in.
-Give me the rope.
-[GRUNTS]
Get up, there! Come on, get up!
That's a girl!
If I don't meet you on top of
Badger Pass by tomorrow sundown,
you know I ain't coming.
Here. You better take these,
just in case.
All right.
-All right, get him up.
-[GRUNTS]
-Come on, boy. Come on.
-Up with you, buddy.
Come on, get up!
Get up! Get up now!
Get up now!
Remember now, yell loud.
All right, here we go.
[BOTH MIMICKING INDIAN SCREAM]
[ALL SCREAM]
[GUNSHOTS]
[GUNSHOTS CONTINUE]
[WAR MUSIC PLAYING]
[BELLS TINKLING]
[GRUNTS]
I swear, you're the eatin'-est
folks I ever see.
Well, there's a lot of us.
[SIGHS]
Mr. Bridger,
I've been considering
the advisability
of sending a scouting party
out to look for Carson.
Well, Captain Fremont,
that might be all right.
If you knew where to look.
You sure Carson said
he was coming back here?
Yeah.
But you said that Carson said
he'd back in the spring.
Well, give the man a chance,
can't you?
It ain't no more
than half past April, is it?
Besides, he didn't know
you folks was waiting for him.
If he did, he'd lit out quicker
than you could say "Scat!"
I'm gonna move
to where a man
can have
a little peace and quiet.
Used to be when a man heard
a horse's hooves in this
country, he cocked his rifle.
Now all it means
is more people and wagons,
pestering you
to buy something.
[MIMICKING INDIAN SCREAM]
[LAUGHING]
Carson! Kit Carson!
Hiya, Jim! Hiya, Queenie!
Look at the old plutocrat
sitting here getting fat
in the lap of luxury!
How are you?
Well!
I'm glad to see you!
Ape Eaton, it's a wonder you
ain't been plugged for a pie,
you toting that thing
from Australia!
-[CHIMING]
-Oh, Lopez,
I'm so happy to see you!
I ain't heard a lick of
good music since you left.
Except if you'd call
an Indian caterwauling music.
I think you're going to have
plenty of music pretty quick!
Go ahead!
Say, I was never so happy to
see anybody in my life, Kit.
I see you've got plenty of
company, even soldiers.
Oh, they ain't my company,
they're yours.
Been waiting for you
for three weeks.
Mine?
Well, as near
as I can find out,
they're mighty anxious
to get to California.
And you're gonna
show them the way.
Well, I've been mighty anxious
about getting back here.
JIM: Where's the rest
of the boys?
Ain't they coming in
this year?
No.
We're all there is.
But your pelts?
Two years' work?
We left them back there.
Where we left the boys.
Shoshones, Jim.
Why, they were standing on
each other's shoulders
trying to get at us,
-you know what I done?
-No.
I just honed an edge
on old Betsy here.
And I'd thrown her
right at their heads!
And every time she'd come back,
she'd bring a scalp
right with her.
We saved a lot of time
that way, Jim.
Ape Eaton, it's too bad
they let you get away
from that jail,
when they had the worst liar,
as well as the worst thief
that ever hit Australia.
Australia?
You talk like that's
the only place I've ever been.
And you talk like
you could go back!
[LAUGHING]
Have you ever seen
one of these, Jim?
Yeah.
A heap of 'em
in California.
They're Spanish.
Ain't as good as ours.
Well, they're good enough.
That's why the rest of the boys
ain't coming in.
Well, there ain't
a white man in North America
who'd give a gun to an Injun.
We ain't had no trouble
with the Shoshones.
We got it now.
She was one fine fight,
my friend.
She last six hours.
You ain't gonna
just sit there.
You gonna do something.
I sure am gonna do something.
First, I'm going down to the
creek and take me a bath.
Then I'm going to get me
some clean clothes.
Then I'm going to take me
a night's sleep
that'll last,
oh, maybe two weeks.
In a bed.
Hey, have you got any soap?
Yep.
And I've got a hotel, too.
Why, you can have a bath
right in your own room.
Private-like.
Well, that's plumb wonderful.
I reckon you make people
pay for that.
Yep.
$22 a day.
But that includes soap
and running water.
[WHISTLES]
I'll have to owe ya.
Oh. [LAUGHS]
Well, that's all right.
That's the reason
to keep the price so high.
Nobody pays no how!
♪ Oh, Buffalo Gals
Can't you come out tonight
♪ Can't you come out tonight
Can't you come out tonight
♪ Oh, Buffalo Gals
Can't you come out tonight
♪ And dance in the light
of the moon
♪ Oh, Buffalo Gals
Can't you come out tonight
♪ Can't you come out tonight
Can't you come out tonight
♪ Oh, Buffalo Gals
Can't you come out tonight
♪ And dance by the light
of the moon ♪
-[KNOCK ON DOOR]
-Come in!
There's a couple of gents
want to see you, Kit.
Well, they want to come in
or wait till I come out?
-Mr. Carson?
-Yeah?
My name's Fremont.
I'm in command of those troops
outside the stockade.
Mr. Carson, I have orders
to find the shortest
practical route to California,
and map it as I go.
There's some
mighty pretty country
between here and California.
When are you aiming
to start, Captain?
Just as soon as I can enlist you
as civilian scout.
The job pays $100 a month,
your horses in pound.
That's a heap of money.
Are them settler's wagons
with you?
Oh, yes. Mr. Terry is the
leader of the wagon train.
We're just kind of tagging along
after Captain Fremont.
We broke away
from the big train
that was taking the
Oregon Trail.
All of our folks
are California-bound.
I know a lot of folks
who'd be uneasy about
taking wagons cross-country
between here and California.
Not when we heard that
Captain Fremont
was taking you as his guide.
This is the article
of agreement,
drawn up and signed
by every member of our party,
appointing one Kit Carson
as wagon master.
KIT: You've got women
and children
in them wagons, ain't you?
FREMONT: Yes, of course.
KIT: I don't reckon
I'm your man.
You mean, you refuse?
See that? Just what
I was telling you, Cap.
Kit ain't the kind to go
traipsing around the country
with a passel of women
and young'uns.
Them Shoshones would go
a long ways
for
a white woman's scalp.
I think they'd kind of like
them brass buttons
on your coat, too, Captain.
[LAUGHING]
You boys don't sound as if
you think much of soldiers.
We don't.
Where you find soldiers,
you find trouble.
But when you find trouble,
you can't find the soldiers.
Mr. Carson what you and your
men think of the army
is your affair.
I'd counted on your help.
But with or without it,
I'm going to take
these soldiers to California.
You don't look like the kind
of a fellow
that'd just hand his wife
and friends over
to a flock of savages.
We've both
faced Indians before.
Indians with rifles?
Mr. Carson,
the men and women with me
expect hardship and dangers,
the same hardships
and the same dangers
the settlers of Kentucky, Ohio
and Missouri had to face.
KIT: Maybe.
Shall we go, Mr. Terry?
It seems Mr. Carson isn't
interested in American history.
Why, he refused!
I'd like to talk to that
Mr. Carson for a minute.
-Hey!
-[ALL LAUGH]
[WOMEN SCREAM]
WOMAN: Please! Please! No!
Get out of here! Oh!
Oh, I forgot to tell you
that there was
a lady next door.
Her name is Dolores Murphy.
And Captain Fremont says her
pa owns half of California.
What's she doing here?
She's going to California with
the rest of the wagon folks.
Plumb too bad.
[BOTH LAUGH]
-No use.
-Oh, Terry.
I know how
your people must feel.
I guess we're fools,
never thinking
Carson might refuse.
Terry, I'm an army officer and
I can't tell you what to do.
But I can tell you this,
my command
is going to California.
Now, this is a free country.
I can't stop you
from following me.
How soon can you march,
Mr. Terry?
Load 'em! Roll out!
[ALL SHOUTING EXCITEDLY]
[TRUMPET PLAYING]
Lieutenant, take charge
of company.
They look very good
up to Fort Bridger, Sergeant.
But from now on,
it's got to look better.
Yes, sir!
MAN: Ready!
Is everything all right
with you, Miss Murphy?
Captain Fremont, it was
such a splendid gesture,
permitting us to follow you.
Oh, well, Miss Murphy, it's the
duty of the United States Army
to assist and protect all
citizens of the United States,
wherever they are.
We're very grateful.
And if you can endure
the contact
with rough and ready soldiers
for another three months,
I think I can assure
that we'll reach California.
Even without Carson.
Well, I haven't
found it difficult
to endure
rough and ready soldiers
for the past eight weeks.
[SIGHS]
But, you are disappointed,
about Carson, I mean.
Yes. He knows this country
better than anyone.
I sure'd have felt
much safer with him.
I shall be a fool not to admit
my disappointment.
Are you sure you've used
every argument?
I offered him everything
my authority permitted.
He always wears his
bare feet, ma'am,
when he ain't
aiming to go no place.
Are you Mr. Carson?
Uh, yes, ma'am.
How much money did you make
last year, Mr. Carson?
JIM: He didn't make
nothing last year.
Nor the year before.
But, senorita,
we have one fine time.
Mr. Carson,
I'll pay you $1,000 in gold
and your expenses
to take me to California.
And $200 each
for your assistants.
I make one reservation.
The other wagons
are to go with me.
If you offered me $10,000,
I'd still think
that army fellow, Fremont, and
them other people are fools.
I should've known better than
to practically beg you.
Uh, yes, ma'am, you should.
Mighty spirited gal, that.
Beautiful hair.
I can just see it drying outside
of some Shoshone teepee.
You don't need
to worry about her hair.
Some Shoshone will just pick all
of her up and lug her away.
Oh, why don't you shut up.
Well, I was just thinking.
You know, we sure are lucky.
Nothing to do, but just sit
here, and eat and sleep.
LOPEZ: That is right,
my friend.
We're going to have
one fine time.
APE: All them silly people
riding out there
to get themselves killed.
[TRUMPET PLAYING]
You know, there's going to be
a lot of singing and dancing
this summer
in them Indian villages.
When those bucks come
riding in with their scalps,
and squaws start to torture
the prisoners.
Well, I guess I'd better go
look at the horses.
A fella gets awful lazy,
sitting around doing nothing.
[CHIMES]
-Where are you going?
-Who, me?
Oh, I will go help my friend
not to get lazy.
-Straight ahead, Sergeant,
due West.
-Yes, sir.
Care to increase the speed of
your horses, Mr.Terry?
I'll try, sir.
I want to make speed
where speed can be made.
Yes, sir. Yee, boy!
Hiya, Terry!
That job of wagon master
still open?
Sure is, if you want it.
On one condition.
I'm the wagon boss.
Here. This belongs to you.
And I was never so glad to get
rid of anything in my life.
Glad to me you, boss.
Any orders?
Yeah. Slow down your horses.
You'll get where you are going
quick,
if you don't hurry so fast.
Yes, sir! Whoa, now! Steady!
You boys ride down the line and
check over the water
barrels and axles.
-Si.
-All right.
Howdy, folks!
Here, take this.
I'll change places with you
for a spell.
You seem a mite too eager to get
to California the first day.
Whoa! Steady now.
Whoo! Slow down.
I beg your pardon, Captain, but
the wagon train is
falling back again.
They may as well learn
right now that they must
keep up with the troop.
-Yes, sir. Right, sir!
-Straight ahead, Sergeant.
Driver,
shake up those horses.
Howdy, General.
Why, what are you
doing on that wagon?
Oh, driving it, Colonel,
to California.
What made you
change your mind?
Maybe it was just curiosity.
I'm a mighty curious fellow.
Especially, about Indians
having guns.
Very well.
But I need you
at the head of the column.
Come with me.
Every man
to his own job, General.
I am taking the wagons
to California.
And I'll get them there quicker
by not killing the horses.
Do I understand that
you are employed by Mr. Terry?
I am the wagon boss.
Very well.
Mr. Carson,
my wagon will obey
Captain Fremont's orders.
Did you sign
your name to this?
Why, yes I did but I...
Whoo now! Steady.
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
Heya, boys.
[SIGHS]
I've noticed you didn't bother
building a fire, ma'am.
Unless you got one in the wagon,
I think you should be
a mite hungry.
Thank you, but I'm dining
with Captain Fremont.
Oh.
-Good evening, Carson.
-Good evening, General.
Oh, what a pity to spoil it, you
make such a perfect
picture up there.
Thank you.
Hey, Kit, look.
I ain't dining with Captain
Fremont.
[CLANKING]
Post number three, 8:00,
and all's well!
[CHIMING]
Just think, I'm eating wild
animal stew and liking it.
Nothing's much better than being
tired and a little hungry
and having an antelope stew
around the campfire.
You like this sort of thing,
don't you?
Yes, ma'am.
I never was much for houses.
You can't see
through the walls.
Well, I got work to do.
-You better check the axles
again, Ape. -All right.
What strange fur
you have on your jacket.
That ain't fur ma'am,
that's hair.
-Hair?
-Mmm-hmm.
-Human hair?
-Sure. Them Shoshone's scalps.
I got a Cheyenne and a Ute
back there someplace
but they don't match very good
so I've put them back behind.
Scalps? You mean, you...
Yes, ma'am, sure!
Scalps, senorita,
is a very good thing to have.
When the Indian know
his enemy collect scalps,
he not jump so quick.
You see, miss.
A brave can't get into Indian
heaven without his scalp on.
That's why he's so scared
to lose it, see.
[CLEARS THROAT]
I was... I was going to have
rug made out of these,
braided like horse hair.
-A rug?
-Sure!
I knew a fellow once that had
his cabin roofed with them.
Of course he had a family.
-He had to have a roof on his
cabin. -[CHIMES LOUDLY]
I think you are fibbing
about the rug.
Well, a little.
You don't want to believe
everything I say, ma'am.
I'm an awful liar.
[TRUMPET BLOWING]
I wonder if the captain kisses
his boys goodnight every night
before he tucks them in.
That may put them
soldier boys to sleep.
But it'll wake up every Indian
east of the Rocky Mountains.
So,
the American captain, Fremont,
and his party have actually
penetrated Shoshone country.
Yes, Excellency.
Where are they now?
They're entering the foothills
of Sierra Nevadas.
Have my orders
been carried out?
Yes, Excellency.
How many rifles
have you distributed
to the Shoshones?
500, Excellency.
And they're ready to use them
as I suggested
to keep the white man
out of Shoshone territory?
Yes, Excellency.
Go back.
And be sure that Captain Fremont
does not cross the
Sierra Nevadas.
Uh, see that Lieutenant Ruiz
has everything he requires.
But such an order is murder.
You are arming the Indians,
inviting them to destroy
the white men.
I am inviting them to destroy
a very dangerous enemy.
There are times when I think
you're actually
sympathetic to Americans.
Well, why not?
I have many Americanofriends.
Yes, I must remember that.
You know, Vallejo,
I am not fooled by this Captain
Fremont and his
scientific expedition.
At the moment, Americans coming
to California must spend
months at sea.
But if Captain Fremont
can cut his way through
to California by land,
an army can follow him.
You have distributed the
presents we've brought from
General Castro?
-Yes, Lieutenant Ruiz.
-Good.
I will need you to help me
handle the Shoshones.
Yes, Lieutenant.
[DRUM PLAYING]
My Shoshone brothers,
the wagon train
must be destroyed.
And the Americanoskilled!
The wagons are not led
by foolish soldiers,
or stupid settlers,
but by a great enemy,
who has taken
many Shoshone scalps.
Kit Carson.
Tonight, we will attack,
with the cunning of the wolf!
You seem to be making great
progress with your history,
Mr.Ape.
Oh, yes, ma'am.
I'm halfway through
my second pencil.
I don't reckon I'd never
written this history,
if you hadn't given me
the idea, this here book.
Well, it seemed a pity to see a
great imagination like
yours going to waste.
Oh, it ain't going to waste
no more, ma'am.
Anytime I run out of history,
I... I just fall back
on that imagination.
[HORSES WHINNYING]
Them horses
is plumb spoiled, ma'am.
They're always
wanting attention.
[HORSES WHINNYING]
Steady boy.
Ain't it funny how a horse can
smell an Indian a mile away?
Two miles. We'll look into it.
Sorta slip out around
the camp.
Well, this is as far as I can
go, until I find out what
size shoe he wears.
You mean,
you haven't asked him?
I should think
after all this time,
you two would be arriving
at an understanding.
Well, Mr. Carson is one of those
big, strong silent men
who are a little bit difficult
to understand.
-Mmm.
-And...
after all, it is rather
personal, isn't it?
Oh, I don't know.
Mr. Ape, uh, wears size 12.
Oh, Mr. Carson,
I was wondering if...
I'm sorry, ma'am, but I can't
stop and talk to you now.
Carson seems to be
in kind of a hurry.
Oh, did you notice that too?
He spent the afternoon trying to
convince me that we were
heading into trouble.
Oh, these scouts, they see an
Indian behind every bush.
We mustn't forget that they've
lived among savages for so long,
they're practically
savages themselves.
Well, if there was any danger
of my forgetting,
Mr. Carson would
constantly remind me.
[VOCALIZING]
[SPEAKING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE]
That's mighty interesting.
I didn't understand any of it.
That one fellow
was telling the chief
that the soldiers are no good
without horses.
So, they're gonna run off
the General's horses.
Oh!
CARSON: That's plumb peculiar.
The fella that gave the orders
to the Shoshones to run off
the Generals horses
made tracks that toe out.
No Shoshone make these tracks.
No Indian made them.
Come on. We gotta
warn Terry and the boys.
One more mountain to cross
and then California.
Will you be happy?
Well, isn't one always happy
going home?
I don't know,
California isn't my home.
Oh, but, we'll make you
feel at home.
Will you?
Of course.
Home is where the heart is.
I'd be the happiest man in the
world, if I were really
going home with you.
Well, I'm... I'm not quite
sure I understand you.
I want to be very sure,
you do understand me.
The happiest duty, I've ever had
has been to guard you.
Feel responsible for you.
These weeks on the trail have
made me very sure, of one thing.
I love you very much.
I think I've loved you since the
first time I saw you far back
at Kansas landing.
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
If we'd been Shoshones,
General, you'd have been a
little late with that pop gun.
Time a little girl should
be in bed.
You are not starting to tell me
when to go to bed, are you?
I reckon so.
I never heard of anything...
Don't forget now.
I'm the wagon boss.
Wagon boss or not, I'll go
to bed when I feel like it.
You look a mite tired
right now, ma'am.
I hope you're joking, Carson.
If not you're carrying this
wagon boss thing too far.
Maybe.
-Carson...
-Take it easy, Cap.Take it easy.
You probably feel
a great satisfaction
in demonstrating your strength
and mastery on a girl.
It don't take
much strength, ma'am.
You are as light as a feather.
Come on, in you go.
Inside, ma'am.
General, you reckon them
sentries is taking good
care of your horses?
-Of course.
-Let's have a look.
Sometimes that Mr. Carson
makes me so mad,
I could forget that
I'm a lady.
Is that why you're
knitting those socks for him?
What'd Carson mean when he said
we'd better get ready
for trouble?
The Shoshones are gonna try to
run off Fremont's horses.
[HORSES WHINNYING]
[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]
[HORSES WHINNYING]
All right, boys.
[GUNSHOTS FIRING]
You can save
the ammunition, General.
They won't be back.
That's what I meant
about being awful prominent.
It might be a good idea
to make a few changes.
The difference between you and
me Carson is you do
as you please.
I'm governed
by orders and regulations.
-Clanahan, from now on
double the sentries.
-Yes, sir.
I thought
you were sound asleep.
Maybe if you blew
taps again, General.
Come on, we got some more
looking around to do.
I'm mighty curious about them
tracks that toed out.
Come on, Ape.
They came out of
the water here.
Toes-out talked
to the Indians a minute
and then went that way.
CARSON: That's funny.
Right here,
Toes-out got on a horse.
-A horse wearing shoes.
-The Indian ponies don't wear
shoes.
-Mm, Spanish shoes?
-Yeah.
I'm getting curiouser
and curiouser.
-Got that trigger set, Lopez?
-LOPEZ: To one horse's hair.
Hang on to it, I don't want to
get my neck in this thing.
The way I figure it,
we're mighty hot on the trail
of who gave guns
to them Shoshones.
This Toes-out is a white man.
He's laying low and spending his
time spying on the wagon train.
Them Shoshones could...
Could call Toes-out to them
by barking like a coyote.
Maybe we can bring him to us
the same way.
Anyway, it's worth trying.
[BARKING]
[GROANING]
[CHUCKLES]
Looks mighty familiar,
don't it?
Now, that reminds me,
I owe you 10 beaver skins.
[CHUCKLES]
Hey, you know, what?
This is the first time, I ever
see two-legged coyote in trap.
[LAUGHS] Well, cut him down.
But be awful careful with him.
[GROANS]
I have seen you come
a lot closer than that.
Where did you say them guns came
from you gave the Shoshones?
It is much better to talk,
my friend.
I have not got the patience
of my friend Carson.
[WHIMPERS]
[SPEAKING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE]
Hey, Kit, ain't that fire a
little too far away from him?
He might take it chill.
-Maybe, you're right.
-I know you're right, amigo.
You should be much more warm.
Get your wagons in line, Mr.
Terry, I want to get
out of here.
[INDIAN GROANING]
[GROANING]
Carson!
-What's the meaning of this?
-Ooh, I'm having a little talk
with this fellow.
Cut him down.
Ain't you forgetting, General,
he's my prisoner?
I'm trying to remember
that you're a white man.
I wonder why I ever thought you
were anything else but a savage.
Every man to his own
calling I guess, ma'am.
General here fights
canon with canon.
I fight fire with fire.
How dare you compare yourself
to an honorable soldier?
I want you to have a look
at a real savage.
CARSON: Don't worry,
he speaks your language.
He's Lieutenant Ruiz.
General Castro's army.
He can tell you where those
Shoshones got them rifles.
Don't let the war paint
fool you, General.
Talk.
You are a white man.
A brother officer.
RUIZ: You're sworn to uphold
the laws of war.
Like arming Indians to murder
women and children. Talk!
I was only carrying out the
orders of my superior officer.
-General Castro.
-Whose orders?
General Castro, the military
governor of California.
My orders were to keep you, all
of you, from getting
to California.
FREMONT: Why?
Because General Castro
is afraid of Americanos.
Only the Americanos
can keep him from sitting
on the throne of the Aztecs.
From being emperor
of all Mexico and California.
I see.
Lieutenant Ruiz?
FREMONT: Wherever those men go
the laws of the
United States follow.
The penalty for giving arms and
ammunitions to Indians is death.
You reminded me, it is my duty
to enforce the law.
Platoon! Attention!
[SHOUTING ORDERS]
-FREMONT: Dismount!
-No.
Forward march!
Platoon, halt!
Order! One!
Ready!
You can't! I demand a trial.
[WHIMPERING]
Aim!
-FREMONT: Fire!
-[GUNSHOTS]
Order. Halt!
Forward. March!
I don't reckon a fellow like me
could ever learn to do things
like an honorable soldier.
I owe you an apology.
I'm sorry.
I...I didn't understand.
Exactly due west, Sargent.
Ruiz was a bumbling fool.
Send the Shoshone's
more guns and ammunition.
-That's the line, Lieutenant,
continue due west. -Yes, sir.
General!
I still think it's a good idea
to skirt the mountain.
Stay out of there.
I wish I could agree with you,
Carson. But I must go this way.
Sixty miles farther to go
round the mountain.
Might be a good idea to save
lives instead of miles.
These hills are swarming
with Shoshones,
we're safer if we stay
in the open.
Going that way
would be plain poison.
My order is to find the shortest
route to California.
Soldiering would be an easy job
if you knew in advance
there would never be
any danger.
General...
I won't let the wagons
go through that pass.
Then, I guess this is where
we part company.
I don't know much about
orders and things.
But I do know, there's no
way out of that pass
except the way you get in.
I don't even like
the smell of this place.
It's a perfect ambush.
But it is the most
direct route to California.
My job, Carson,
is not to make sure
John C. Fremont and the troupe
of cavalry get to California.
It's to make sure that in case
of need an army can follow.
And when an army moves,
can't afford to waste 60 miles
because the Captain was
afraid of trouble.
But Captain John, we have been
together all the way.
Well, I'm sorry,
but Carson is right.
The pass is no place
for wagons.
Well,
look us up,
if you get to Monterrey.
Perhaps
I'll be waiting for you.
Captain Fremont, we could help
you by going through with you.
-No, Terry.
-I can't tell you how we feel.
How grateful we are.
But I can tell you this, when
they write the
history of the west
your name is gonna stand
out awfully big.
You take good care of your
husband and when you get
to California,
see that he keeps that printing
press running night and day.
Good luck.
I...I don't know what to say.
Doesn't make much difference
as long as it isn't goodbye.
But I was hoping that we'd all
be together, all the way.
Home.
-Will the latch string still
be out? -Better.
The door will be wide open.
Good luck!
Green grass and running water!
-Roll, Mr. Terry.
-All right.
Roll on!
I'm sure now,
the only difference between a
donkey and a soldier
is a uniform.
TERRY: Company! Attention!
In column two!
Left trail, ho!
All right. Let's go.
Send half your braves
to trap Fremont
and the other half to attack
the wagon train.
I'd feel a lot better
if that army
Fremont's always talking about
was following him right now.
Lieutenant, take charge.
Keep a sharp look out.
-It's very quiet no?
-Yeah.
Beats me, we ain't seen
an Indian for days.
The time to be scared of Indians
is when you can't see 'em.
Halt!
Come on!
[GUNSHOTS FIRING]
Hold it!
Listen...
Rifles.
Spanish rifles.
They've got Fremont.
Start your wagons!
Form a circle!
[GUNSHOT]
To the rear! Follow my wagon!
[GUNSHOTS]
Jim, will you let me
use your horse?
Hey now, wait a minute.
Don't you fellows get any
foolish ideas about going
to help Fremont.
Your wagons are full of women
and kids. They come first.
Terry,
there's any danger to the wagon
trains, it'll come from there.
You reckon you can ride over
there, kind of stand guard?
-Yes, sir.
-Don't take any chances.
You see Shoshones moving this
way, fire your rifle.
Yes, sir.
Don't any of you other boys fire
unless Mr. Terry fires first.
Come on.
[GUNSHOTS FIRING]
They're in there, trapped.
They're caught, all right.
Could not warn your wagon train,
after all, eh?
That was Terry's signal.
Ha!
Thanks.
For doing my job.
[TALKING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE]
[SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]
-Oh, there they are!
-[WOMAN SCREAMING INDISTINCTLY]
[GUNSHOTS FIRING]
-They got him! They got him!
-They'll not get him!
[GUNSHOT]
-You all right?
-Yes, I'm all right.
-I thought you... -Sometimes it
don't pay to think.
I killed a man. An Indian.
-I saw him fall. -I reckon
you'll be forgiven for
killing a Shoshone.
-Maybe even two. -Captain John,
is there any chance...
He's licked,
unless he can break through.
[GUNSHOTS]
[PEOPLE SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]
Freddy, keep down!
[GUNSHOTS]
-Kit! Kit!
-Hey, wet down that canvas.
[CLATTERING]
We've only got one chance,
Sergeant. Cross the river.
Doesn't look like
much of a chance, sir.
If I only knew whether men and
horses
could live in that current.
-I'll find out, sir.
-Come back, you fool!
-Clanahan!
-[GUNSHOTS]
Clanahan!
[GUNSHOTS]
[SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]
This is really fun, huh?
Don't fool yourself.
We're in as much trouble
as Fremont.
Neither one of us is strong
enough fight our way out
of this alone.
But if we can get together,
there's a chance.
Oh, sure is a good idea,
if we can only do it.
I'm gonna do it if I have to
blast him out of there. Come on.
Hey!
Hey, you in the back,
tie them tight.
We got one chance between us,
a mighty slim one.
And I'm depending on you to see
that nothing happens
to the ladies.
It's all right, Kit.
Ha!
[ALL SHOUTING]
Come on, now! Get going now!
You take the chief.
Keep going now! Yee-haw!
[GUNSHOTS]
Keep going now!
Way's clear. Charge!
[GUNSHOTS]
[ALL SHOUTING EXCITEDLY]
All Carson needed
was a chance.
Oh, you beautiful sergeant in
blue, you're not so much
too bad after all!
-MAN: Ready!
-[GUNS CLICKING]
Aim!
Fire!
Carry arms!
[SOBBING]
There's more in them graves
than just people.
I'm beginning to believe
I'm a failure as a soldier.
Soldier's supposed
to have courage.
Why, you can't accuse yourself
for lack of courage.
There are different kinds
of courage.
Courage on the battlefield
is one thing.
Courage to tell him
that he was right
when he said, "It might be
better to save 60 lives
than 60 miles,"
is another.
I can't face him
until I tell him.
Yes, I know.
It takes courage
to tell a man the truth,
when the truth hurts.
When I started
to look for you,
I... I knew just what to say.
But, now...
Remembering I called you
a savage,
I don't think I'll ever be
able to look at you again.
I told you before,
I ain't much to look at.
But if you want to look,
it's easy.
Like this.
Do you remember...
Oh, how many years ago
was it?
that one night, you lifted me
in your arms,
you told me, "It was time for
little girls to be in bed."
You carried me.
I remember.
Well, I wanted to do this then,
but I'm glad I waited until now.
[ROMANTIC MUSIC PLAYING]
Every time I look at
my daughter,
I want to say thank you
all over again.
You've thanked me
so many times
in the last three days,
Mr. Murphy
that I'm beginning to feel
ashamed of myself.
It was only something I could do
to show my gratitude.
You know, I have a feeling
that you're not having a very
good time at your own party.
Well, this is all
kind of new to me.
I feel like a wild mustang
turned loose in a corral with a
string of thoroughbreds.
[CHUCKLES]
I feel very indignant,
Mr. Carson,
the co-guest of honor hasn't
even asked me for a dance.
Well, I, um...
I reckon I ought to go and see
about the horses, ma'am.
Oh, no, no. The horses
are celebrating, too.
Don't you want to dance
with me?
-Well, it...it ain't that,
ma'am. -Well, come on!
Come on!
So,
most Americans
are at Murphy's hacienda,
making a fiesta about
Captain Fremont's arrival.
Yes, Excellency.
That's good.
I've always wanted to get
most Americans together
at one place at the same time.
Major,
you will have a squadron
of cavalry ready to march.
Yes, Excellency.
Tonight, while Murphy and his
friends are making merry,
we will wipe out all the other
American hacienda.
Within the week,
I will proclaim myself dictator
of all Mexico,
which includes California.
Future stories will say, "This
is a momentous occasion."
But I, in my memoirs will say,
[CHUCKLES] "It was
almost too simple."
[ROMANTIC MUSIC PLAYING]
I'm sorry, ma'am, I... I reckon
I ought to sit down.
Aren't you having a good time?
Oh, yes, ma'am!
Only I... I
don't reckon my feet are
made for dancing.
It's like mountain clothes ain't
made to go with silk dresses.
[EXHALES]
Oh, uh, hiya, Johnny!
Sure glad you saw
my smoke signal.
-I need to be rescued.
-[LAUGHS]
Not from so fair a captor.
Oh, no, from me.
Uh,
I will see you later.
-Oh!
-[ALL LAUGHING]
Oh, I...
I'm awfully sorry, ma'am.
It's all right, Mr. Carson,
all right.
Sorry, Lieutenant.
The lady said
it was all right, Mr. Carson.
Come on.
[GASPS] Oh, señor!
I'm sorry, I'm terribly clumsy.
Oh, now, that's all right.
Nobody's hurt.
Adios, señor!
-[GRUNTS] Hi, Kit.
-Hi.
I expected to find you asleep in
the house, in a room, in a bed.
[SCOFFS]
And I don't reckon
I'd have slept so very well.
[LOPEZ SPEAKING SPANISH]
This is the best shindig I ever
was to. My foots is broke.
[SIGHS]
Well, boys, it's happened.
What's the matter?
You sick?
What happened?
It's love. I'm in it.
LOPEZ: Oh-ho!
Who?
Genevieve.
Oh!
Well, what are you
going to do about it?
Well, the first thing
I'm going to do is,
swear off lying.
And then I suppose you're going
to take her by the hand
and lead her around the mountain
country while you trap a beaver,
sleep on the ground
under trees at night,
fight off Indians,
the same time you're trying to
tell her how much you love her.
[SIGHS] I never
thought of that.
You couldn't expect a woman
to live like that. Could you?
No, you couldn't.
I know what I could do.
I can stay right here
in California and settle down,
start being a gentleman.
Could you?
[SIGHS] I reckon it'd take
a long time to make gentleman
out of our kind of material.
Kit Carson, you're the most
discouraging-est man I
ever did know.
[CHUCKLES]
You ought to do
what I'm going to do,
get back where I belong.
You mean,
just forget that I'm in love?
I reckon that's what I mean.
[SIGHS] When are you leaving?
Now. [SIGHS]
[SIGHS] Oh!
Oh, don't feel like this,
my friend.
Regard me,
who admit that
love is come and love is go.
Oh-ho, I've been
in love many times.
Yeah, but never with
nobody like Genevieve.
[JOVIAL MUSIC PLAYING]
Well.
Oh, please forgive me, I...
Tears? Didn't we decide
that homecomings were happy?
I just received this.
Somehow it isn't like Carson
to leave without even
saying good-bye.
Now that he has gone,
it makes it possible for me
to ask you something.
Something I've... I've wanted to
say for a long time.
But I couldn't until now.
A long time ago, back at Fort
Bridger, I asked you
if you could endure the company
of soldiers for three months.
Now I'm asking you if you can
endure the company of
one soldier,
for the rest of your life.
Captain John, you...
You're the finest, most
honorable, most generous man,
but one I've ever known.
Any woman in the world would be
proud and happy to
share your life.
But I... I only want
to share it with one woman.
You want me to be honest,
don't you?
Of course.
The man I love
has just ridden away,
to see about a line of traps
and isn't coming back.
[SOBBING]
Now, if you still want me,
I'll do my best to forget that
there was ever anyone but you.
I'll try to help you forget.
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
Mexican army wagons.
Guns and ammunitions
for Castro.
That Castro is a mighty
bad hombrewith guns.
He don't like Americans like us,
and them folks we just left.
Maybe he's going
to use them guns
to keep other Americans
out of California.
Yeah, maybe.
What's the matter?
I just want to make sure I've
got my pencil, that's all.
Come on, easy.
[SNORING]
I reckon they ain't
expecting visitors.
-[GASPS]
-[COUGHS]
Sorry to burst in
on you like this, General.
But it looks like
you're a prisoner.
Prisoner? Well,
who is a prisoner?
Well, uh, I can't
say it right off.
You are Americano!
-Well, I was born in Kentucky,
if that helps you any. -Oh!
For a moment I... I thought you
might be from General Castro but
it is much better
that you are Americano.
[CHUCKLES]
APE: Get in there
you no-good coyotes!
This way, señores.
I always know
they sleep too much.
SeñorCarson, you may not know
it, but you have do
me a big favor.
Por los santos,General,
you act like you enjoy
to be prisoner.
Well, why not?
General Castro hate only one
thing more than the Americanos,
me.
Every year I bring supply
train from Mexico
to the garrison at Monterey.
This year,
I have feeling General Castro
has decided I have take
my last trip.
So, I'm lucky
to be prisoner, eh?
Well, you don't have to worry
about Castro now, General.
All the way from Mexico I have
worry about my
Americanofriends.
-Why?
-Why?!
Because General Castro will use
the extra ammunition
from my wagon
in his war against
the California Americanos!
War, what war?
-When's it going to start?
-Start?
It has already started!
Earlier tonight a courier
reach me from Monterey.
Castro is already riding
to destroy the outlying
Americanohaciendas!
I reckon we'll have to put off
seeing about them traps.
I reckon we will.
Be sure you get these wagons
to Captain Fremont.
He'll know
what to do with them.
Are you not going with us?
I'll be along later.
All the Americans in
California ain't at the
HaciendaMurphy tonight,
and somebody's gotta
warn them.
If it looks like you can't get
the wagons to Captain Fremont,
be sure nobody else gets them.
Adios, amigo.
Come on, General,
we've got a long ride
ahead of us.
[COMMANDING IN SPANISH]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]
There's a certain fascination
about fire, Lieutenant.
The results are always
so conclusive.
Yeah, what do you want?
Don't waste time!
Take your family
and head for Murphy's.
Castro's burning
the American haciendas!
Come on!
Clear out fast. Castro's on his
way to kill all Americans.
Come on, boy!
Head for Murphy's hacienda!
Castro's burning
everything in sight!
Come on, boy!
[LAUGHS]
Come on, General. Come on now,
get down here, my old fat onion.
-[GRUNTS]
-Oh! Take it easy.
Upsy-daisy!
Captain Fremont,
this here is General Vallejo.
How do you do? I am prisoner.
I am happy to see you.
-How do you do?
-JIM: General Vallejo!
Mi amigo DonBridger!
How are you?
What are you doing here?
For a long time now
there is not room for two
generals in California.
[GRUNTS] It's much better
I'm here.
-Whose idea is this?
-Carson's.
He figured little extra shot
and ammunition
might come in handy.
Where is Carson?
He's out warning
the rest of the Americans.
Warning? Warning about what?
About Castro being on his way
to wipe them out.
Get those wagons unloaded.
It's too bad we can't go into
this fight under the
American flag.
All of us know that
California should be part of
the United States of America.
At least we can fight and die
if we have to like free men.
[ALL AGREEING]
Well, we can't fight
under the Mexican flag.
The very first shot we fire
would make us
rebels and outlaws.
But we could make
the HaciendaMurphy
our own country,
hoist our own flag over it.
[ALL AGREEING]
It's going to be
a new flag, gentlemen,
without a stain upon it.
Worth defending.
[ALL SHOUTING EXCITEDLY]
Gentlemen, gentlemen!
Up to this moment
I've been trying to remember
that I am an officer
in the United States Army,
on a peaceful mission
in a country with which
the United States is at peace.
But I can't forget that you and
your families are Americans.
This is probably going to cost
me my career as an officer,
but I'm going to place
myself and my troops
at your disposal.
At the disposal
of California Republic.
[ALL SHOUTING EXCITEDLY]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
-It's beautiful, my dear.
-[HORSE GALLOPING]
FREMONT: Kit!
I've been following Castro.
He'll be here by
tomorrow morning.
Gentlemen, this is the time
for us to show our colors.
-[DRUM ROLL]
-MAN: Ten hut!
[ALL CHEERING]
-Yeah!
-[SCREAMS]
I'd hate to think that Castro
or anybody else was big enough
to haul that down.
[CHUCKLES]
MAN: Order, arms!
Right shoulder, forward march!
It's a funny thing
about flags, ma'am.
Every one I ever heard
about was put into the hands
of men by a woman.
Why did you come back?
Uh, I guess you'd call it
unfinished business.
Why did it have to be today?
So soon?
I reckon one day
is pretty much like another.
Oh, no it isn't.
Last night I said yes
when Captain John asked me
to marry him.
I'm glad to hear that.
John Fremont is mighty fine
And you deserve the best.
You'll probably feel
quite at home now, Kit.
California Republic's just the
place for a wild mustang.
What are you boys
aiming to do?
Why, we're aiming to fight.
Fight?
With your families
hanging onto your coat tail?
That won't be
a fight, gentlemen.
That will be a massacre.
I reckon we can take care
of our families.
I had a good chance to see
what Castro's bringing
with him.
You would be outnumbered
ten to one,
saying nothing of the artillery
he's got and you haven't.
We've got to fight it out here,
cannon or no cannon.
You're playing
right into Castro's hands.
His plan is to catch
you all together in one place,
finish you all at one time.
Now, if I was you,
the first thing I'd do is
to get the folks that
can't fight plumb out of here
before Castro arrives.
After the women
and kids are safe,
if I was you, General,
I'd take my soldiers
and every Californian
that could ride a horse
or fire a gun.
I'd have ride
right out onto the hills,
just far enough so I could
get back in a hurry.
You want to abandon the
hacienda,leave it undefended,
fight Castro in the open?
Well, not exactly, Mr. Sutter.
I'd leave somebody behind,
like, me and Ape and Lopez,
with a lot of extra guns so we
could make a lot of noise.
And with enough dummies around
the walls to make Castro think
he had all the Americans
in California in one place.
And then,
if I was you, General,
I'd wait till Castro was plumb
certain he's going to
take the hacienda.
And then I'd ride
and hit him from the rear,
like a herd
of stampeding buffalo.
But if your idea doesn't work,
our wives and families
will be left out in the open
at Castro's mercy.
Well, they won't be any
worse off than they are now.
And if Carson's plan
does work,
it means more than just
the defeat of Castro.
It means the independence
of the California Republic!
Gentlemen, if Kit Carson is
willing to sacrifice
everything for us,
why are we hesitating?
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
Sure never figured we could
raise an army this easy.
Oh, that Castro,
will he be surprised!
I'd feel more at home if we was
going to fight Shoshones.
Oh, what is the difference
so long it is
a good fight, huh?
Hey, what is
your name, soldier?
Raymond Smith, General Lopez!
Bueno,when we have beat
General Castro,
I make you a sergeant.
If I didn't know you boys
only had one chance
in a million,
I'd think you're going
on a picnic.
We've been
in tight spots before.
You're not exactly
going on a picnic yourself.
I hope this isn't that
one spot you can't
get out of, Carson.
Well, all a man has to do
is keep wiggling.
My boys in the Californians
will wait for your signal
before we go into action.
I reckon you will be
able to hear it.
Don't take too many chances.
Oh, no, señor.It is General
Castro who take the chances.
Good luck, Ape.
Same to you, General.
Buenas noches, señor.
Buenas noches, amigo.
Oh, Kit, I... I guess
there's still time for you
to take a walk with me
to the gate,
kind of see me off.
Lieutenant, come with me.
All right, come on...
It wasn't like you, Carson,
to just ride away like that
without saying good-bye.
You shouldn't have done it.
Why?
Because she loves you.
I reckon you're wrong, seeing
she's going to marry you.
She isn't that kind of a girl
that could marry a man
without loving him.
Well, there are different
kinds of love, Carson,
just as there are
different kinds of men.
The kind of love
I want from her,
she has for no one but you.
Oh, it was a little different
when I thought
you weren't coming back.
Coming back
was kind of accidental.
If you don't understand that
she isn't interested in what
you have or how you dress,
but what you are,
what you could be,
then you aren't worthy of her.
You're right, General.
That's the way
I feel about it.
That you're worthy
of her, Johnny.
You were, well,
born a gentleman.
You know the right words
to say at the right time,
and the right things to do.
That's why I was mighty glad
when she told me
she said yes to you.
We've come
a long way together, John.
It's no more than right
that we feel the same way
about the same thing.
There's more to it, Kit, than
just us feeling the same thing.
We don't count.
At least, I don't.
She's the one that counts.
When you love somebody enough,
the thing you want
to give most is happiness.
It's funny.
I was thinking the same thing
when I rode off without
saying good-bye.
And she can't have happiness if
she loves you, and marries me.
It'd be a big disappointment
to me, General,
if you can't take care
of her happiness.
As soon as this is all over,
I reckon I'd better just
keep on riding.
Castro's horses
just crossed the river.
They're coming down
through the West Canyon.
Very good. Thank you.
Well, right now,
I'll do the riding.
Here's hoping we can both
wiggle out of this.
Good-bye, Kit.
Good-bye, John.
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
I'm glad to know that I will
find my wagons and Vallejo,
at the HaciendaMurphy.
It will save me the trouble
of hunting him down.
Oh, Kit, hey!
We've got company.
Yeah. We better close them.
Well, looks like it ought to be
just about an even fight.
[CHUCKLES] Just about.
California Republic. [SCOFFS]
I wasn't invited to be present
at the birth of this new nation.
But I'm certainly going to be
present at its death.
Yes, Excellency.
Begin firing!
Yee-haw!
Yee-haw!
Don't the fools ever miss?
Captain Fremont said
all the women have gone.
This is my home.
Captain Fremont,
Carson and his friends
haven't a chance.
In another minute, the hacienda
will be blown to bits.
Let's ride now!
Mr. Larkin when you have
a plan, you must carry it out.
We'll ride
when we hear Carson's signal.
Not before.
Come down here.
You'll get a clear shot!
[GENEVIEVE WHIMPERS]
[SCREAMS]
Cavalry forward!
Kit, here they come!
-Yeah.
-[EXPLOSIONS]
Time for surprise number one.
Get back all of you!
As far as you can get!
Draw sabers!
It's gone out!
Yeah.
DOLORES: Wait! Wait!
Where are you going?
Well, you know that
mine going off is the signal
Johnny Fremont's waiting for.
If we don't let him hear it now,
it'll be too late for everybody.
It sure will.
-[GASPS]
-Ape!
Charge!
Stand back! Wait!
Go back! Go back!
Are you... Are you riding far?
Over the mountain.
But you're still weak.
Three weeks isn't long enough.
A man gets rusty
if he don't keep moving.
The fight for California
is still unfinished business.
Well, Johnny Fremont
will take care of that.
You're going alone?
I reckon.
Well, good-bye.
Good-bye.
-You're not going anywhere.
-Mmm-hmm.
Kind of riding on.
Without permission?
Permission? Whose permission?
Oh, didn't you know a courier
just came from General Kearny?
The United States
have declared war.
We've been ordered south of Los
Angeles to attack Castro.
That's mighty interesting,
but I ain't in the Army.
Oh, yes, you are.
The same courier brought this.
A Chief of Scouts
ranks as a Colonel.
Congratulations,
Colonel Carson.
Johnny Fremont, you're
the stubbornest, toughest,
two-legged white critter
I've ever seen.
Well, I guess that's why
they gave you this job.
Because they knew
you couldn't be licked.
Even by yourself.
Say, um, can a colonel
give orders to a captain?
Yes, sir.
-Oh, Johnny.
-[CHUCKLES]
Attention!
About face!
Forward march!
♪