Rio Conchos (1964) - full transcript
Two Army officers, an alcoholic ex-Confederate soldier and a womanizing Mexican travel to Mexico on a secret mission to prevent a megalomaniacal ex-Confederate colonel from selling a cache of stolen rifles to a band of murderous Apaches.
[wind blowing]
[chanting]
[chanting continues]
[continues]
[gunshots]
[gunshots continue]
Stand up, mister.
You're on my land.
Get off.
I said stand up.
You know, I was figuring on
just setting here
in my parlor
and resting a spell.
So why don't you take your
little boys in blue and go along?
Sergeant,
give me that rifle.
Help yourself.
- Where'd you get this?
- Mmm.
I said,
where'd you get it?
Captain, that is none
of your damn Yankee business.
What kind of a rebel butcher
are you?
Well, now...
You blue bellies got a law
against killing Apaches?
Get up on your feet.
Hmm.
[sighs]
It's a long ride
to Fort Davis.
Get your saddle.
You can walk or ride,
it's your choice.
Either way,
you're going with me.
[glass shatters]
How.
Those Bloodshirt's people
you butchered up there?
They were Apaches.
Where'd you get this gun?
Colonel, I already gave
my answer to that.
- Do you want it direct?
- This is important.
It's more important than your
private honor, your private war.
Where did you get the gun?
Well, Colonel, you're so
interested in that gun,
why don't you just keep it?
I'll be going.
You do, and I'll blow
the top of your head off.
Go ahead.
Major Lassiter,
have you gone completely mad?
- Major.
- Don't let that stop you.
It was in a Confederate army.
How does anyone get to you?
How do I get inside those
twisted guts of yours?
You don't.
No, I guess not.
Massacring those burial parties
proves it.
[sighs]
Colonel, you are an old man.
Yes, but still a man
and not a blood-crazed butcher.
Oh, Lassiter...
it's been almost a year
since your wife
and your daughter were--
No, no! You listen!
Do you think
I don't know what it means
for a man to come home and
find his wife and child dead?
Dead?
All right.
Tortured and then...
But it's been almost a year.
You're not looking for revenge
against Blood shirt anymore,
you're using that
as an excuse to go on Killing.
I'm gonna stop you.
Colonel...
what are you gonna
charge me with?
You're an animal,
and an animal belongs in a cage.
Either you tell us where
and from whom you got that gun,
or I'm gonna throw you
in the guard house till you rot.
Where did you get it?
Well, I guess you do
want it direct.
My answer is still it's none
of your damn Yankee business.
Sergeant, lock him up.
Yes, sir.
The charge is possession of
stolen government property.
Yes, sir.
Colonel.
You're not gonna get anything
out of that drink-sodden rebel.
Maybe not.
What do we do now?
Just sit around here
and wait?
Is that it?
Got any better ideas,
Captain?
Yes, sir.
But time has been
running out on us.
I have scoured
all over Texas,
and I came up with one gun
out of that whole shipment.
The rest must be
in Mexico by now.
That is out of the question.
Any of our troops
cross the border,
Mexico would be justified
in declaring war.
I don't mean sending
a whole army down there, sir.
Just two men.
Sergeant Franklyn and myself,
out of uniform.
Out of uniform?
Yes, sir.
How do you intend
to find the guns?
Bait. Gunpowder.
A whole wagon load.
Once we get down there,
if we can't bring
those guns back,
we'll destroy them.
How do I explain to Washington
that the officer who lost those
guns is now roaming around Mexico,
trying to hand over
a wagon load of gunpowder?
Forget it.
Yes, sir.
♪ [man humming tune]
♪ [man singing tune]
♪ [humming continues]
Gracias. Hey, you take that.
You eat it.
It's good mush for you.
[clears throat]
Oh, I have interrupted
your sleep.
I'm very sorry.
Permit me to apologize
by offering you a drink.
♪ [humming]
[clears throat]
Whiskey, eh?
And I just traded the watch
of my father for it.
You were cheated.
Perhaps not.
They say it's a lucky child
that knows its own father.
Permit me.
I am Juan Luis Rodriguez.
- You sure?
- [chuckles]
Last time, it was Martinez.
Lassiter?
But this is impossible.
It is you, amigo.
Alive and the same?
You think I'm a ghost?
From what one hears now
among certain Indians,
one could think Lassiter
is an evil spirit.
Oh.
You trading with Apaches now?
When a man buys himself,
he can not always chose
his customers.
Aye, amigo.
When I was Martinez,
you remember? Huh?
- Mm-hmm.
- [chuckles]
Three-card Monty
and a cold deck.
How a man gets his money
does not matter.
It is how he spends it, amigo.
Martinez was a king,
remember?
The French girl, remember?
[speaks French]
Oh...
You know she was of
the noble blood, that one?
Had I married with her,
amigo,
That one little mistake,
that's all.
Some little mistake.
You shot Maximilian's
military attache.
But they were his pistols.
The duel was fair.
When a man shoots
the way you do,
that's murder.
[clatter overhead]
What is going on there?
Oh.
Well, com padre,
what we talked about,
that is all in the past.
Two old friends like us meet
in such a place as this, huh?
You in bad trouble, amigo?
No. Nothing.
The same with me.
- Oh?
- Mm-hmm.
Well, who's all that for?
What? That?
For me.
I didn't know they could hang
you for trading with Apaches.
Oh, no, no.
They say it is for fighting,
and that is unjust.
This soldier had a gun,
I had only a knife.
That's all.
And the soldier had a wife.
Amigo, such a wife.
But I have always been unlucky.
Locked up here, I cannot
even console the poor widow.
What a shame.
[snoring]
[clatters]
More people come
to the fort every day.
I will have a large audience
for my hanging.
Ah, si, I will die,
but it is you
who I pity, amigo.
You will go loco
in this place.
The gringo command is wise.
He knows how easy
it would be for you to die.
Hey, perhaps,
if you talk to him,
we could change places.
- He's a fool.
- Si.
And you're a fool.
And I've been wet
long enough.
Hey, you blue donkey.
I wanna see the Colonel.
Adios, amigo.
[whistles]
What is so important
about this gun?
On February 10th,
six escorted wagons
left the arsenal at St. Louis.
On March 1st,
they were ambushed
and the wagons stolen.
You against he Indians.
Well, the quality of Yankee
troops has not improved.
They were ambushed
by white men.
The wagons carried 2,000
new repeating rifles,
and yours is the first one
to turn up.
I bought the gun
in Presidio.
You bought it?
Who from?
Lassiter, this command
contains 300 men.
Think what happens when we're
faced with 2,000 Apaches
armed with better weapons
than we have.
Think what it means
to those families out there.
Women, children.
Well, Colonel,
the man's name
is Theron Pardee.
Pardee.
One of Bedford Forest's
guerilla raiders?
Gallant leader
of Southern Calvary
and my last commanding officer.
Is he still in Presidio?
Sir, that was over a month ago.
He could be just about anyplace.
Could he be across the border
in Chihuahua?
- Who knows?
- But you could find him?
Now, why would I wanna do that?
The memory of your wife
and daughter?
Or because it's
your only way out of here.
Well, Colonel,
if I could find Pardee,
what then?
Go on home,
wherever you want.
Captain Haven will
take over from there.
Captain Haven.
Just the two of us?
He'll have his sergeant along.
Oh, I see.
That Yankee and his black
and me.
Now, Colonel, I don't want
to hurt anybody's feelings,
but what's to prevent me
from getting a bullet
in the back of my head
about one second after
I point him toward Pardee?
The Captain will be
under orders.
I'm sorry, sir,
but that's not good enough.
I want a man
of my own along.
Who?
Rodriguez.
Rodriguez?
That half-breed cutthroat
sitting in the guard house?
He knows the country
as well as I do
and speaks the language better.
He's gonna be tried
and hung for murder.
That's why I know
he'll volunteer.
It's that or nothing.
Let it be nothing.
You're not gonna saddle me
with this and that--
But you do want to undertake
the mission, Captain.
You know that, Colonel.
And I say in the time
we probably have left,
he is your only chance,
slim as it may be.
But if you prefer not to go,
there are other officers
I can ask to volunteer.
That won't be necessary,
Colonel.
All right.
You will give me your word
that you will get them there?
My word?
That's right.
[laughs]
Well, Colonel,
For whatever it's worth,
you can have it.
- Hey, Lassiter.
- Yes, sir, Captain.
You said there'd be water.
Where is it?
We've been riding
all night.
I thought time was important.
You tired, Captain?
- No.
- [horse sputters]
I'm thinking
about the horses.
Oh.
There'll be water
for them up ahead.
Let's get going.
Yes, sir.
Anything else, Captain?
No.
There is no water here,
for at least a full day's ride.
You know it,
and I know it.
I see.
The wagon carries something
of great value
that must be
in Mexico pronto, eh?
The only other thing
you have to know is
the farther we get
from that fort,
the farther you are
from a rope.
Si, and for that,
I am in your debt,
com padre...
forever.
Si, forever.
Ah, that's better.
Much better.
- Por favor.
- Hmm?
Cigarette?
Gracias, gracias.
I need your help.
Tell me something.
How old do you think I look?
What?
How old do you think I look?
What difference it make?
To me it is very important.
How old?
How old do you think?
Lately, I think I look about...
just, uh...
25? You agree?
Guess again.
30?
More?
[speaks Spanish]
But you do not take
into consideration
I have had no sleep
for two days.
That shows on a man.
Yes, sir, it sure does.
Oh, Dios.
[sighs]
Con permiso, huh?
- Are we going to eat?
- Put it out.
- Hmm?
- Put the match out.
Si, si. Pardon, Captain.
[clattering]
Ah, bueno.
I am very hungry.
Can I help you?
Oh, that smells so delicious.
That's enough.
Vámanos.
Si, Captain.
[shouting]
Get your backs into it,
you scuds.
¿Qué pasa?
We got ourselves some trouble.
Bandidos.
Bandidos?
- Are there many?
- Six I saw for sure.
Get those mules moving!
- Where's the rifles?
- Under the seat.
[all shouting]
I have no weapon.
I have nothing.
Give me something,
my friend.
¡Buenos dias!
[laughter]
¡Buenos dias, amigos!
Lassiter: Hi there.
Good day to you.
Where you and your friends
is going?
We were headed for Presidio,
but I believe we got lost.
Maybe you could put us
on the right track.
- Maybe.
- We'd be much obliged.
Sure, sure, sure.
How long-- far you come?
All the way out from Roswell.
Well, now,
where did they come from?
Poof!
Just like that.
[both laugh]
- It's a big surprise, no?
-Yes, it is.
[both laughing]
And you watch more.
Dos mas. More poof!
Mira.
[laughing]
[laughs]
Eh?
Is more surprise, no?
[laughter continues]
Well, now, poof, and five men.
Five men come out of nowhere.
Gringo say poof!
- Como estas, paisano, huh?
- Bien, hombre.
Ah.
Ah, una medallón.
Qué bonita.
Déjala ahi, hombre.
Si.
Eh, qué carita tienes.
Hermoso.
Muy hermoso tú también.
[laughs]
[laughs]
Oh, is mucho gun.
It nice gun.
Yes, sir. You ever see one
like that before?
No, never.
Well, it's brand-spanking-new.
Eh, too much bullets?
You know--
Bang, bang, bang!
Too much?
That's right. It's a good
gun. Let me show you.
No, gringo!
I don't think--
[two gunshots]
[gunfire]
Gracias!
[gunfire continues]
Friend of yours?
- He's number six.
- Uh-huh.
Let's take a look and see how
many more friends you got around.
You first.
[gunshot]
Apache! Rodriguez!
Hold it.
You led us right into this trap.
Would it have been better
for us to go around,
have them sitting up here
taking pot shots
at a wagon load of gunpowder?
Why didn't you shoot this man
when you had a chance?
If I saw number six up here,
so did you.
Drop it!
She's got on parts
of the same uniform you have.
And that's the second stolen
repeater we've come across.
And it came from
the same place, Pardee,
who is now gonna be hard
as hell to find,
because you were so
trigger happy down there.
I told you not to move
until I did.
Sure, I saw him up here.
I was looking for a deal.
He's one of Pardee's men,
and he could have taken us
to him.
You!
[speaks Spanish]
What I want to know from her
is how come they found out.
How come they were waiting
for us?
- Huh?
- Come on!
Si.
[speaks native language]
I don't think
this one will talk.
No? Give me your knife.
What knife?
I have no knife.
I lost it in the fight below.
Look in your shirt.
My shirt?
Ah! Si, si!
I forgot.
I'm sorry, amigo.
[straining]
Now, you tell her
that I will split her nose
SO everyone can see how she
dirtied herself with a white man.
[speaks native language]
She say it does not matter
since we all die very soon.
In three sun's time,
all the clans of the Apache
will gather to be given
a great new medicine.
She must mean a trade.
Ask her where it's going
to take place.
Who cares?
What's it got to do
with me?
Everything.
The Apaches have been raiding
further south than ever before.
They're not interested in
picking up any livestock.
They're looking
for gold and jewels.
There's gonna be a trade,
all right.
If we know when and where,
we can be there to stop it.
So you can be there.
All I gotta do
is find Pardee.
Maybe you can't... or won't.
You're just gonna have
to wait and see.
Let's go.
What about her?
[whimpers]
Shoot it.
Better yet,
save the bullet.
Nobody's touching that girl.
She's going with us.
Like hell, she is.
You're not giving any orders.
While you're looking
for Pardee,
she just might remember where
that trade's gonna take place.
What harm can she do
this little indita, huh?
Ah!
Tell her she's coming with us.
Si, mi Capitan. Si.
Ven, muchachita. Ven.
Hey, Captain.
Two of them are Indians.
- Rodriguez.
- Huh?
Apache?
Membrano clan.
And that one, too.
Hey, Rodriguez.
Can you read that?
No.
If we're parallel
to the Rio Grande,
they are, too.
Apaches and the Pardee people
are already working together.
Sergeant, are these mules
ready to move?
Soon as we bury these men.
- Who said we were?
- There isn't time.
- What about the guns?
- Put them on the wagon.
But I have no weapon,
only this little knife.
You don't need no weapon,
and you don't need this.
But, Capitan!
Franklyn...
put here on the wagon, too.
Yes, sir.
- You.
- Huh?
You tell her she has
nothing to be afraid of,
as long as she does
what she is told.
She might believe you more if
you gave her something to eat.
You opened this
last night, huh?
Si.
The fuse is gone.
What did you do with it?
Lower the gun, huh?
What did you do with it?
It's there.
[speaks Spanish]
The lariat.
Si. Mira.
Mira, huh?
I wove it during the night,
thinking to hide it better
for you that way.
When a man sets out
on what may be his last ride,
he should go with people
he trusts.
Huh?
[chuckles]
I pick a gun for myself
and Lassiter, huh?
No gun for you.
You mount them.
But--
[speaks Spanish]
The reasons for staying with
this detail are getting less and less.
You just try leaving.
Oh, Captain, you wouldn't
shoot an unarmed man.
You try me.
[chuckles]
Whoa!
Sergeant!
Let's see how deep it is.
The water will fill
the top of the wagon
- before we get to the middle.
- I know it.
The Major and I
told you so, huh?
And the water is lowest here
for a hundred miles.
[chuckles]
We'll move on to Presidio.
But Capitan, you cannot take
the wagon across, can you?
How? Hmm?
There's a ferry in Presidio,
isn't there?
Yes, sir, Captain.
Whoa.
There you are, Captain.
There's your ferry.
Now all you gotta do
is ride down there
and tell those Texas Rangers
that you got
a wagon load of gunpowder
you wanna get to
the other side of the river
SO you can trade it
to the Apache.
Buenas tardes, senorita.
Buenas tardes, senor.
- Rodriguez.
- Si.
You got any other
bright ideas?
Yes, sir, I do,
but I can't remember
one of them
without my rifle.
Franklyn...
let me have Lassiter's rifle.
First, we'll see what we
can find out about Pardee.
You and him and me,
we'll ride up there,
get us a drink,
and look around.
And leave him
with the wagon, huh?
Yes, sir.
He'll need a rifle, too.
Franklyn stays
with the wagon.
Now, what is Franklyn
gonna do with the wagon
when he gets it across,
if he gets it across?
You know where
Split Mountain is,
next to the swamp?
No.
Well, Captain,
Rodriguez does.
Si.
How do I know
he won't desert us?
Oh, no, Capitan.
What are you saying? Huh?
Rodriguez is my man.
- He wouldn't desert me.
- Si, amigo.
And you and me,
we'll be side by side.
Shall we go, Captain?
Yeah.
Have fun, amigos.
Hey, there's a loaded rifle
in the seat.
Gracias.
[speaks native language]
Impossible.
She wasting my time.
[crowd chatters]
On the red.
On the red.
Pardee been in yet?
Who?
Theron Pardee,
sometimes calls
himself Colonel.
- Never heard of him.
- [ball clatters]
16 on the red.
Let it ride.
[woman laughing]
- Hey, querida, scoémo estas?
- Bien, gracias.
¿Donde está
mi amigo Pardee, huh?
No comprendo.
Ah! You buy me drink?
In a little while.
Five. Red again.
All bets down.
We go around.
One more time.
Where's Al?
Place your bets.
[ball whirring]
Al, you say?
The man who owns this place.
I own this place.
And so far, mister,
I don't know what
you're talking about.
Well, Al does.
Maybe that's why he died.
You don't say. I didn't even
know he was feeling poorly.
[ball clatters]
23, red again.
You got $40 on the red, mister.
What's your pleasure?
- [ball whirring]
- One more time.
Let's get ourselves a drink.
I am terribly sorry, sir.
Terribly sorry, indeed.
He said he was sorry, sir.
Now, you sit down.
28, black.
You lose, mister.
That comes as
no surprise at all.
- Are you accusing me--
- No, nothing like that.
We'll have whiskey
and three glasses, please.
I ain't got no more whiskey.
I ain't got no beer, either.
Franklyn?
Everybody relax.
Now, I want you
to listen to me.
Real careful now, hmm?
Are you listening?
- Uh-huh.
- That's good.
Now, I want a bottle
of whiskey
and three glasses
set right up here.
Come on, you get 'em.
Right now.
Come on.
Get 'em out there.
Oh, friend, friend,
you're not listening.
I said one bottle
and three glasses.
That's right.
Pour careful.
Don't spill any.
That's right.
That's one.
There you are.
And one more to go.
There it is, now.
Gentlemen?
Here's to the Union.
Now, friends,
just keep the peace.
Each man in his own pew,
and we'll be taking our leave.
[shouting in distance]
[woman screams]
Gotta move, Sergeant.
[shouting]
- [gunshot]
- [speaking Spanish]
Look, man.
No Rodriguez, no wagon.
That's right.
Your man's been and gone.
He got the wagon across,
and he left a clear track.
The trail heads right
into that swamp.
We lost five hours in
this godforsaken cesspool.
Well, Captain,
we could have lost a lot more.
The Indian pony is unshod.
Let's head on in.
Nobody can get that
heavy wagon through there.
Maybe Rodriguez could.
Yes, sir, Captain.
[wings flutter]
[geese honking]
[gunshot]
Come on!
Now drop it.
[sighs]
[speaks Spanish]
It is you, amigo.
I am glad to see you.
Drop it.
What, this?
Si.
And thank you for taking
that shot at me.
Oh, but I did not know
it was you, amigo.
- Stay where you are.
- In the mud?
In the mud.
But I do not understand.
Ah, Capitan!
You're a long way
from Split Mountain.
Where's the girl?
- Gone.
- Gone where?
She tried to give me
to the Apache, that one.
Yes, it is the truth.
We crossed and were waiting
by Split Mountain.
There was the sound of horses.
I knew it was too soon
to be you.
The I hear the Apache talk.
She called out to them,
- I put her head in the water.
- Did you drown her?
That is my sincerest hope,
amigo.
How many were there?
You'll forgive me.
I did not wait to count them.
You know, amigo,
I think the Captain here
was a little worried
that you took this wagon
for yourself.
Oh, Capitan...
[chuckles]
And what did you think?
I wondered.
Oh, no, no.
All right,
let's get this wagon moving.
Can I get out of the mud?
Yeah, get out of the mud.
Gracias.
Captain:
Rodriguez doesn't kill so good.
Lassiter:
Could be an ambush.
Maybe, maybe not.
We just can't leave
her there.
You can't, I can.
I hate to see brave men die.
Better we ride now, huh?
Too bad.
Amigo, why?
Because you gave your word?
Hey! Hey!
So this man is crazy.
These gringos drive me
out of my mind.
[speaks native language]
She waited for us to come
with the wagon, and we came.
She is the bait, this one.
[woman moaning]
Well, Captain...
take a good look.
[moaning continues]
[moaning continues]
[gunshot]
We're moving out.
[baby cries]
[gunfire]
[groans]
[baby crying]
[crying continues]
[speaks Spanish]
Any orders, Captain?
You were right.
About her,
or everything?
[baby cries]
About sundown, they'll be
picking us off one at a time...
and we'll be sitting here
waiting for orders.
Captain, you must have studied
a situation like this at West Point.
I'll bet you were
the first man in your class.
That's right.
- Hey, amigo.
- Hmm?
We got nothing
to worry about.
You'll live to a hundred
and die in the bed
of some muchacha.
[laughs]
That is not very funny,
my friend.
There's only one thing
that worries me, Captain.
That detail that was guarding
those guns that were stolen--
Who was in command
of that detail?
Was it you?
I didn't hear what you said.
Yeah, it was me.
[chuckles]
What a shame to die out here
in a place like this
and blight a great career.
You are stupid enough
to become a general.
Don't you worry
about it.
You just live long enough
to see it.
[horses approaching]
[horse approaching]
He's taking off.
Just might be trying
to draw them off, Captain.
[horse approaching]
[gunfire]
[gunfire continues]
[speaks Spanish]
Bueno, amigo. Bueno.
[shouting]
[screaming]
[Lassiter laughing]
[whimpering]
[laughing]
No! Let him burn!
- Let him burn!
- [gunshot]
Doing like they do
don't make it right.
[groans]
- You have killed him?
- No, he'll be all right.
- I'll get some water.
- We haven't got time for that.
Two Apaches got away.
You tie him up
and put him on his horse.
Si, mi Capitan. Si.
[thunder rumbles]
Captain thought
it would be better
till you came back
to yourself again.
[cries out]
Who hit me?
You were clean out
of your head.
All right.
No more problems.
Captain?
He stays tied.
Well, Captain, I got a
bottle in my saddlebag.
Do you mind?
Give him his bottle.
[thunderclap]
Amigo, how do you feel?
Untie me, I'll feel better.
I can't break the rules.
You heard the Capitan.
Maybe I can help you
hold the bottle, huh?
[groans]
Rodriguez, come here!
Si! Save me some.
I don't know what this man wants
in this rain.
[thunderclap]
Ask her if there's anything more
we can do for the baby.
[speaks native language]
Well?
The baby is dead.
Do you think she knows it?
She knows.
[speaks native language]
[woman chanting]
That chant is for
their own dead.
I think she will let you
have the baby now.
Maybe she'll tell us now.
What?
Ask her where the trade
is going to take place.
Mi Capitan,
even if she knows,
she would never say.
Tell her that we know
about the guns.
New medicine her people
are to be given.
Tell her.
[speaks native language]
Tell her that
we have come here
so that we can keep
her people
from getting those guns.
Not because I want
my people
to be stronger
in war than yours.
We want no war.
No more babies,
our people's or your people's.
She'll never die
like this one did.
[ Rodriguez speaks
native language]
When we found her,
she said "three sons."
There's still time,
if the place of trade
is not too far.
[speaks native language]
Ask her if she will
lead us there.
[speaks native language]
Will you lead us there?
[laughs]
- Rodriguez is gone.
- Is he now?
He took one of
the repeaters, too.
You don't look
very surprised.
Which way's he heading?
Which way would you guess
he was heading?
You brought him along.
Well, that depends on
just why Rodriguez left.
He might have decided
that this mission was
all over
and that you wouldn't be
needing him anymore.
You got two mules to pull
this wagon,
and you're not gonna pull it
very far.
It sounds like
you want out, too.
I told you I'd find Pardee.
When and where
will you find Pardee?
I can't say.
Maybe in two more days, maybe.
And maybe never.
If what she says is right,
tomorrow's gonna be too late.
Those Indians are gonna
have those rifles.
Why don't you go on back
to Presidio?
You like that, wouldn't you?
And give up my big chance
of becoming a general?
Look, Lassiter,
I like what you did back there.
Maybe you did save our lives.
I don't know
what you got in mind,
but if you want to get,
then just get.
Have you got some idea
that she is gonna guide you?
I don't know.
- But you're going on anyway?
- Yep.
To do what?
To do what we came
out here to do.
[chuckles]
And you're gonna go with him?
Yeah.
Well, I guess you're planning
on becoming a general, too.
That really would be
something, wouldn't it?
Yeah.
Sergeant, I'd be obliged
if you'd get me my horse.
Good luck to you.
Thank you, Sergeant.
And good luck to you.
About a half a day's ride
southwest of here,
the Rio Conchos.
If Pardee's not operating
out of Presidio,
the Conchos is a good place
to find him.
You get to the Conchos,
follow it downstream
about three miles past
the big bend.
There's a box canyon
with live oaks in it,
make good cover
for this wagon.
I find Pardee,
I'll bring him to you.
Thanks, Major.
Major?
And good luck to you, Captain.
Good luck to you, Major.
[wind blowing]
[wind gusting]
3 |Spanish guitar)
Tequila, eh?
Yeah.
- ...Dinero?
- Si.
You know many people here?
Many.
Where's my dinero?
You have heard of a man
named Pardee?
Never.
How about my money?
He's a gringo.
He's very rich.
I am a gringo myself,
and I'm poor.
Oh, and I, too,
on the side of my father.
Si, si.
This is all I have
to remember him by.
Is very nice, no?
Look. Solid gold.
And this was my mother's.
She was a very nice lady,
my mother.
- See?
- [belches]
The chain is gold, too.
The whole thing,
all of gold.
Nice, huh?
You want something to eat?
- No, gracias.
- Ah, Isabel!
- Si.
- Come here.
Give something nice
to this hombre to eat.
[speaks Spanish]
- [smacks]
- [yelps]
I do not wish to sell
such fine things
for a plate of beans.
She serve you
upstairs, senor.
Mm-mmm.
- ¿Anita?
- ¡Un momento!
[speaks Spanish]
Hey, is fantastic.
[speaks Spanish]
Hey. Hey, hey.
Take the tequila.
Go on.
It would be a pleasure
to be your guest...
if I did not have
to find this Pardee.
-Pagtee.
-Si.
You know...
it seems to me I heard
something of such a man.
Bueno.
- Wait.
- Si, I wait.
You were right,
there is such a man.
But on a night like this,
it's gonna take a little time
to find him.
I will wait, hombre.
Upstairs.
Make yourself comfortable.
[all speak Spanish]
Hey, tell me something.
You think she's too skinny,
this one?
Go on, take them both.
What are you waiting for?
Of course.
[speaks Spanish]
[rifle slams]
- Jim!
- Chico.
I see that gun, I thought
it was the crazy one here.
- Crazy one?
- Si, he's upstairs.
Go ahead, sit down.
I buy you a drink, huh?
What brings you here in
the middle of such a night?
Business.
With Pardee?
How did you know?
Tonight, everybody's
trying to find Pardee.
Including the crazy one?
Mexican, speaks English,
got a rifle like this?
Hey, if there's gonna be
any shooting, Jim--
It's my partner.
I sent him on ahead.
Where's Pardee?
His man is gonna be here soon.
I better wake that one up.
He's not asleep.
Anita!
[speaks Spanish]
[women laughing]
There's two, Jim.
Lassiter! Mi amigo!
Hey, come up!
Bring a bottle with you!
He never told me once
that he had a partner.
- He is a very careful man.
- [laughs]
That's why I picked him.
Pardee's man gets here,
you call me.
Come in.
[chuckles]
I missed you this morning.
Oh, you did not think
I deserted you?
On my father's honor...
whoever he was.
Believe me, it was my plan
to share with you...
just like now.
Which one of these beauties
you like, huh?
[speaks Spanish]
This is better than with
the Capitan, that loco.
You fooled me with
your giving your word.
I said we're gonna bring
this wagon to Pardee,
and that's what we're doing,
isn't it?
Si. Stop it.
You're driving me crazy.
How much you think it is worth?
50 bottles of gunpowder, eh?
About 100 American
dollars apiece.
[chuckles]
And we will share it?
Just like brothers.
[laughs]
We will drink to it.
[cackling]
[speaks Spanish]
Who would have thought
that night in the guard house
we would be here like this?
Rich men!
But I knew it.
Remember that time?
That time with the rope
almost around my neck?
You came, and I said--
I said my luck had changed.
- We don't have the money yet.
- But we will.
Tomorrow or the day after.
The wagon is where
we can find it, yes?
And the Captain,
and Franklyn.
You did not kill them?
But you left.
They just let you go?
I told them I was coming
to find Pardee.
You told them you were going
to find Pardee?
You will, amigo!
[laughing]
Lassiter, you and I
will live like kings!
If we sell the wagon
instead of blowing it up.
What? To blow it up?
Who would that profit?
- Everyone but us.
- Why should we do such a thing?
You make a joke.
What do you think?
I think you try
to fool me, amigo.
Rodriguez, tell me something.
Just one time in your life,
did you ever think about
doing something for somebody
beside Rodriguez?
Si, for you, amigo...
for you.
[gunshot]
You did fool me, amigo.
I was wrong about the good omen.
I remember now.
When I said meeting you again
had changed my luck--
[soft chuckle]
...you said,
"For the worse."
That's the America no,
Pardee's friend.
Well, now...
you must be Lassiter.
- Who are you?
- That's Pardee's man, a new one.
This Mexican I was sent here
to see--
We had a slight disagreement.
I dissolved the partnership.
I speak for him now.
Well? Where's Pardee?
Hand your weapons over
to my men and follow me.
You can either hand them over
or have them taken.
Live or dead makes
no difference to me.
- 14-pounder.
- That's right.
That's the fourth one
I've seen.
We got a brigade
of light artillery
dispersed through the heights.
Since we're camped here
permanently,
we take special precautions.
[man shouting in distance]
...in violation of Article 3,
prohibits any officer
from the possession
of personal firearms.
Further charged
with dereliction of duty,
reflecting the most
grievous discredit
upon the arms and position
of the Army of the Confederacy,
IN general court-martial
convened
on the seventh instant,
the accused having been given
the benefit of counsel,
having then been tried--
Colonel Pardee, sir.
How dare you interrupt
a military formation!
Put yourself at attention.
Yes, sir.
Carry on!
Man: Fellow officers,
who after due deliberations,
handed down the unanimous
verdict...
guilty as charged.
Proceed!
Firing squad, ready!
Aim!
Fire!
Dismissed.
Oh! James, my boy!
It's good.
It's good to see you.
Thank you, sir.
Come on!
I commissioned
that man myself,
but he turns out
a petty thief.
Major, at ease.
Yes, sir.
Well, what do you say now?
A miracle, isn't it?
Chihuahua instead of Louisiana?
The Rio Conchos
instead of the Mississippi?
But here, river view.
Back to life again
as it sprung from the ashes.
Beautiful, isn't it?
You know,
you've no idea
how happy
I am to see you.
Come, my boy. Come.
I've been expecting you,
you know?
How was that, sir?
Naturally, your little
escapade at Presidio
was reported to me.
We are well organized.
You reminded me
of our own conversation.
Colonel,
may I speak with you?
Out.
I remember you thought me mad.
Sir, that's not so.
No need to deny it, James.
I am not offended.
Here, you can see
for yourself.
Here, it is all not a dream,
but reality.
Actual wood and stone,
manned, and an army.
Now, what do you say?
That I would like to join you,
sir, if you still want me.
Tell me, James...
what made you return
at this particular time?
You don't even know what day
tomorrow is, do you?
No, sir,
I'm afraid I don't.
I can't say I blame you.
It's not a very pleasant day
to remember.
April 9th.
It was just
two years ago tomorrow
that Lee surrendered
to Grant at Appomattox.
We had better soldiers,
better men,
a superior cause,
winning all the battles.
Still we did not win the war.
Have you ever asked
yourself why, James?
Because we were
insufficiently ruthless.
We allowed our own code
of honor to destroy us.
But tomorrow,
on the anniversary
of that battle,
I shall dispatch at least
1,000 mountain men
against the enemy,
and they will be ruthless.
I need not supply them,
organize them, instruct them,
nor lead them,
and yet they compare
with the best troops
I have ever seen.
The Apache.
Ah! James!
James, my boy,
the plan is flawless!
I give the Apache these,
they give me gold
and silver for them
and attack the enemy
without pause or quarter
in the rear of his army
in his homes,
as the enemy did to us.
Well, Major, do you approve
of my tactics?
Sir, I think
I can give you something
that will make your tactics
more effective.
You mean the wagon load
of gunpowder?
[chuckles]
Theron Pardee,
the gray fox.
Knowing you as I do,
how in the world did I ever
think I could fool you?
Do you really know me, Major?
Come.
It was picked up late yesterday
by one of my patrols.
Well, that comes as
no surprise at all.
The only surprise is it took
your people so long to find us
when we were trying
so hard to be found.
There's no blood
on any of it that I can see.
As I told Colonel Pardee, you
must let yourselves be taken.
Please, James.
I'll talk first.
Better yet, let them
speak for themselves.
What good would that do?
They'd lie.
Deserters always do.
That tells me nothing.
Renegades are always a risk.
A man turns his coat once,
what's to prevent him
from doing it again?
As for the black,
why should he want
to join us at all?
- Well, sir, I think--
- No, James.
Let him talk.
He's capable of speech,
I assume.
Yes, sir.
Remove your hat.
Well?
Meaning no offense
to you, sir.
All I want out of this
is the money.
And you?
Money...
but a lot more
than you'd pay him.
Pardee: Ask the girl
what she knows of these men.
[man speaks native language]
[speaks native language]
They tried to make her lead them
to the place
where the guns would be traded
to her people,
but she would not do it.
Yes, sir, we figured that,
wherever the trade
was gonna take place,
that's where we'd find
the highest bidder,
whoever he might be.
- Open the canvas.
- Man: Si.
[speaks Spanish]
- Man: Uncover more, mi jefe?
- Pardee: No, that's enough.
- Garcia?
- Si, mi jefe.
Tell the girl
to join her people.
[speaks native language]
All right,
I'll meet your price.
Have the mules unhitched.
We'll leave the wagon here
for the time being.
Tell them below
to get a raft ready.
We'll probably be shipping it
the same time the guns go.
What about our money?
Later today,
when I get mine.
[man shouting in distance]
Here's your gold.
At $20 an ounce,
250 ounces make $5,000.
$100 is a barrel.
Soon as our customer arrives,
we'll strike the balance
and you will be paid.
Meanwhile, I think
this calls for a drink.
[man shouts]
[speaks native language]
Guns all here as you give word.
Here is gold I promise.
Fine.
And this gentleman
is Chief Blood shirt,
and here are the men
who brought the gunpowder,
and this is their leader,
Major James Lassiter.
I drink to our cunning victory.
You are not drinking, James.
Lassiter.
Lassiter.
They tell me
there is such a man.
Great killer of my people.
Often I think,
what kind of man
is this Lassiter
that hunts the Apache like
the Apache hunts the White Eye?
[chuckles]
Now I look.
I see.
Same as me.
Same hate here.
Now you say Lassiter
come to help Apache.
Why?
Why?
Gold. That gold.
Chief: No, not for
a wagon full of gold.
I will tell why Lassiter come.
To Kill...
and then to die.
Can this be true, James?
-No.
-Yes!
You know I speak truth.
Here, we're like brother.
Same dead seed.
Same alone.
No wife, no child.
Only left to kill, to die.
But new guns good.
With new guns,
Apache will kill, kill, Kill
till White Eye never forget
what he take from Apache.
Always blood of wife
and child to remind him.
[speaks native language]
[speaks native language]
[horse neighs]
You want water?
Drink?
[clatters]
It is good you are strong.
The next sun,
I come back for you.
We will see how strong.
No more meals.
Man: No, mi jefe.
[men speaking Spanish]
[speaking Spanish]
- [groans]
- [horse whinnies]
Get him over there
in that gully.
You'll be under cover there.
Where you going?
Blood shirt, eh?
I'll give you plenty of time
before I start shooting.
What about the guns?
Isn't that why we came here?
Or was that Apache right?
You just want to Kill
and be killed.
That powder is 100 yards
from those guns,
and you got nothing
to light that fuse with.
Help me take my boot off.
[shouting in distance]
You know, he may get
to be a general yet.
Yeah.
[tapping]
[gun cocks]
You out for a little stroll,
Lassiter?
Major Johnson...
if you are gonna pull
that trigger,
you had better aim good,
real good.
You wouldn't want
to wake up the Chief.
[men shouting in distance]
[speaks Spanish]
[overlapping chatter]
[men speaking native language]
[men laughing]
[chatter continues]
[horse neighs]
[men shouting]
[gunshot]
[gunshots]
[explosions]
Major Johnson.
Major Johnson.
Major Johnson!
Major Johnson!
[explosions]
[explosions]
[chanting]
[chanting continues]
[continues]
[gunshots]
[gunshots continue]
Stand up, mister.
You're on my land.
Get off.
I said stand up.
You know, I was figuring on
just setting here
in my parlor
and resting a spell.
So why don't you take your
little boys in blue and go along?
Sergeant,
give me that rifle.
Help yourself.
- Where'd you get this?
- Mmm.
I said,
where'd you get it?
Captain, that is none
of your damn Yankee business.
What kind of a rebel butcher
are you?
Well, now...
You blue bellies got a law
against killing Apaches?
Get up on your feet.
Hmm.
[sighs]
It's a long ride
to Fort Davis.
Get your saddle.
You can walk or ride,
it's your choice.
Either way,
you're going with me.
[glass shatters]
How.
Those Bloodshirt's people
you butchered up there?
They were Apaches.
Where'd you get this gun?
Colonel, I already gave
my answer to that.
- Do you want it direct?
- This is important.
It's more important than your
private honor, your private war.
Where did you get the gun?
Well, Colonel, you're so
interested in that gun,
why don't you just keep it?
I'll be going.
You do, and I'll blow
the top of your head off.
Go ahead.
Major Lassiter,
have you gone completely mad?
- Major.
- Don't let that stop you.
It was in a Confederate army.
How does anyone get to you?
How do I get inside those
twisted guts of yours?
You don't.
No, I guess not.
Massacring those burial parties
proves it.
[sighs]
Colonel, you are an old man.
Yes, but still a man
and not a blood-crazed butcher.
Oh, Lassiter...
it's been almost a year
since your wife
and your daughter were--
No, no! You listen!
Do you think
I don't know what it means
for a man to come home and
find his wife and child dead?
Dead?
All right.
Tortured and then...
But it's been almost a year.
You're not looking for revenge
against Blood shirt anymore,
you're using that
as an excuse to go on Killing.
I'm gonna stop you.
Colonel...
what are you gonna
charge me with?
You're an animal,
and an animal belongs in a cage.
Either you tell us where
and from whom you got that gun,
or I'm gonna throw you
in the guard house till you rot.
Where did you get it?
Well, I guess you do
want it direct.
My answer is still it's none
of your damn Yankee business.
Sergeant, lock him up.
Yes, sir.
The charge is possession of
stolen government property.
Yes, sir.
Colonel.
You're not gonna get anything
out of that drink-sodden rebel.
Maybe not.
What do we do now?
Just sit around here
and wait?
Is that it?
Got any better ideas,
Captain?
Yes, sir.
But time has been
running out on us.
I have scoured
all over Texas,
and I came up with one gun
out of that whole shipment.
The rest must be
in Mexico by now.
That is out of the question.
Any of our troops
cross the border,
Mexico would be justified
in declaring war.
I don't mean sending
a whole army down there, sir.
Just two men.
Sergeant Franklyn and myself,
out of uniform.
Out of uniform?
Yes, sir.
How do you intend
to find the guns?
Bait. Gunpowder.
A whole wagon load.
Once we get down there,
if we can't bring
those guns back,
we'll destroy them.
How do I explain to Washington
that the officer who lost those
guns is now roaming around Mexico,
trying to hand over
a wagon load of gunpowder?
Forget it.
Yes, sir.
♪ [man humming tune]
♪ [man singing tune]
♪ [humming continues]
Gracias. Hey, you take that.
You eat it.
It's good mush for you.
[clears throat]
Oh, I have interrupted
your sleep.
I'm very sorry.
Permit me to apologize
by offering you a drink.
♪ [humming]
[clears throat]
Whiskey, eh?
And I just traded the watch
of my father for it.
You were cheated.
Perhaps not.
They say it's a lucky child
that knows its own father.
Permit me.
I am Juan Luis Rodriguez.
- You sure?
- [chuckles]
Last time, it was Martinez.
Lassiter?
But this is impossible.
It is you, amigo.
Alive and the same?
You think I'm a ghost?
From what one hears now
among certain Indians,
one could think Lassiter
is an evil spirit.
Oh.
You trading with Apaches now?
When a man buys himself,
he can not always chose
his customers.
Aye, amigo.
When I was Martinez,
you remember? Huh?
- Mm-hmm.
- [chuckles]
Three-card Monty
and a cold deck.
How a man gets his money
does not matter.
It is how he spends it, amigo.
Martinez was a king,
remember?
The French girl, remember?
[speaks French]
Oh...
You know she was of
the noble blood, that one?
Had I married with her,
amigo,
That one little mistake,
that's all.
Some little mistake.
You shot Maximilian's
military attache.
But they were his pistols.
The duel was fair.
When a man shoots
the way you do,
that's murder.
[clatter overhead]
What is going on there?
Oh.
Well, com padre,
what we talked about,
that is all in the past.
Two old friends like us meet
in such a place as this, huh?
You in bad trouble, amigo?
No. Nothing.
The same with me.
- Oh?
- Mm-hmm.
Well, who's all that for?
What? That?
For me.
I didn't know they could hang
you for trading with Apaches.
Oh, no, no.
They say it is for fighting,
and that is unjust.
This soldier had a gun,
I had only a knife.
That's all.
And the soldier had a wife.
Amigo, such a wife.
But I have always been unlucky.
Locked up here, I cannot
even console the poor widow.
What a shame.
[snoring]
[clatters]
More people come
to the fort every day.
I will have a large audience
for my hanging.
Ah, si, I will die,
but it is you
who I pity, amigo.
You will go loco
in this place.
The gringo command is wise.
He knows how easy
it would be for you to die.
Hey, perhaps,
if you talk to him,
we could change places.
- He's a fool.
- Si.
And you're a fool.
And I've been wet
long enough.
Hey, you blue donkey.
I wanna see the Colonel.
Adios, amigo.
[whistles]
What is so important
about this gun?
On February 10th,
six escorted wagons
left the arsenal at St. Louis.
On March 1st,
they were ambushed
and the wagons stolen.
You against he Indians.
Well, the quality of Yankee
troops has not improved.
They were ambushed
by white men.
The wagons carried 2,000
new repeating rifles,
and yours is the first one
to turn up.
I bought the gun
in Presidio.
You bought it?
Who from?
Lassiter, this command
contains 300 men.
Think what happens when we're
faced with 2,000 Apaches
armed with better weapons
than we have.
Think what it means
to those families out there.
Women, children.
Well, Colonel,
the man's name
is Theron Pardee.
Pardee.
One of Bedford Forest's
guerilla raiders?
Gallant leader
of Southern Calvary
and my last commanding officer.
Is he still in Presidio?
Sir, that was over a month ago.
He could be just about anyplace.
Could he be across the border
in Chihuahua?
- Who knows?
- But you could find him?
Now, why would I wanna do that?
The memory of your wife
and daughter?
Or because it's
your only way out of here.
Well, Colonel,
if I could find Pardee,
what then?
Go on home,
wherever you want.
Captain Haven will
take over from there.
Captain Haven.
Just the two of us?
He'll have his sergeant along.
Oh, I see.
That Yankee and his black
and me.
Now, Colonel, I don't want
to hurt anybody's feelings,
but what's to prevent me
from getting a bullet
in the back of my head
about one second after
I point him toward Pardee?
The Captain will be
under orders.
I'm sorry, sir,
but that's not good enough.
I want a man
of my own along.
Who?
Rodriguez.
Rodriguez?
That half-breed cutthroat
sitting in the guard house?
He knows the country
as well as I do
and speaks the language better.
He's gonna be tried
and hung for murder.
That's why I know
he'll volunteer.
It's that or nothing.
Let it be nothing.
You're not gonna saddle me
with this and that--
But you do want to undertake
the mission, Captain.
You know that, Colonel.
And I say in the time
we probably have left,
he is your only chance,
slim as it may be.
But if you prefer not to go,
there are other officers
I can ask to volunteer.
That won't be necessary,
Colonel.
All right.
You will give me your word
that you will get them there?
My word?
That's right.
[laughs]
Well, Colonel,
For whatever it's worth,
you can have it.
- Hey, Lassiter.
- Yes, sir, Captain.
You said there'd be water.
Where is it?
We've been riding
all night.
I thought time was important.
You tired, Captain?
- No.
- [horse sputters]
I'm thinking
about the horses.
Oh.
There'll be water
for them up ahead.
Let's get going.
Yes, sir.
Anything else, Captain?
No.
There is no water here,
for at least a full day's ride.
You know it,
and I know it.
I see.
The wagon carries something
of great value
that must be
in Mexico pronto, eh?
The only other thing
you have to know is
the farther we get
from that fort,
the farther you are
from a rope.
Si, and for that,
I am in your debt,
com padre...
forever.
Si, forever.
Ah, that's better.
Much better.
- Por favor.
- Hmm?
Cigarette?
Gracias, gracias.
I need your help.
Tell me something.
How old do you think I look?
What?
How old do you think I look?
What difference it make?
To me it is very important.
How old?
How old do you think?
Lately, I think I look about...
just, uh...
25? You agree?
Guess again.
30?
More?
[speaks Spanish]
But you do not take
into consideration
I have had no sleep
for two days.
That shows on a man.
Yes, sir, it sure does.
Oh, Dios.
[sighs]
Con permiso, huh?
- Are we going to eat?
- Put it out.
- Hmm?
- Put the match out.
Si, si. Pardon, Captain.
[clattering]
Ah, bueno.
I am very hungry.
Can I help you?
Oh, that smells so delicious.
That's enough.
Vámanos.
Si, Captain.
[shouting]
Get your backs into it,
you scuds.
¿Qué pasa?
We got ourselves some trouble.
Bandidos.
Bandidos?
- Are there many?
- Six I saw for sure.
Get those mules moving!
- Where's the rifles?
- Under the seat.
[all shouting]
I have no weapon.
I have nothing.
Give me something,
my friend.
¡Buenos dias!
[laughter]
¡Buenos dias, amigos!
Lassiter: Hi there.
Good day to you.
Where you and your friends
is going?
We were headed for Presidio,
but I believe we got lost.
Maybe you could put us
on the right track.
- Maybe.
- We'd be much obliged.
Sure, sure, sure.
How long-- far you come?
All the way out from Roswell.
Well, now,
where did they come from?
Poof!
Just like that.
[both laugh]
- It's a big surprise, no?
-Yes, it is.
[both laughing]
And you watch more.
Dos mas. More poof!
Mira.
[laughing]
[laughs]
Eh?
Is more surprise, no?
[laughter continues]
Well, now, poof, and five men.
Five men come out of nowhere.
Gringo say poof!
- Como estas, paisano, huh?
- Bien, hombre.
Ah.
Ah, una medallón.
Qué bonita.
Déjala ahi, hombre.
Si.
Eh, qué carita tienes.
Hermoso.
Muy hermoso tú también.
[laughs]
[laughs]
Oh, is mucho gun.
It nice gun.
Yes, sir. You ever see one
like that before?
No, never.
Well, it's brand-spanking-new.
Eh, too much bullets?
You know--
Bang, bang, bang!
Too much?
That's right. It's a good
gun. Let me show you.
No, gringo!
I don't think--
[two gunshots]
[gunfire]
Gracias!
[gunfire continues]
Friend of yours?
- He's number six.
- Uh-huh.
Let's take a look and see how
many more friends you got around.
You first.
[gunshot]
Apache! Rodriguez!
Hold it.
You led us right into this trap.
Would it have been better
for us to go around,
have them sitting up here
taking pot shots
at a wagon load of gunpowder?
Why didn't you shoot this man
when you had a chance?
If I saw number six up here,
so did you.
Drop it!
She's got on parts
of the same uniform you have.
And that's the second stolen
repeater we've come across.
And it came from
the same place, Pardee,
who is now gonna be hard
as hell to find,
because you were so
trigger happy down there.
I told you not to move
until I did.
Sure, I saw him up here.
I was looking for a deal.
He's one of Pardee's men,
and he could have taken us
to him.
You!
[speaks Spanish]
What I want to know from her
is how come they found out.
How come they were waiting
for us?
- Huh?
- Come on!
Si.
[speaks native language]
I don't think
this one will talk.
No? Give me your knife.
What knife?
I have no knife.
I lost it in the fight below.
Look in your shirt.
My shirt?
Ah! Si, si!
I forgot.
I'm sorry, amigo.
[straining]
Now, you tell her
that I will split her nose
SO everyone can see how she
dirtied herself with a white man.
[speaks native language]
She say it does not matter
since we all die very soon.
In three sun's time,
all the clans of the Apache
will gather to be given
a great new medicine.
She must mean a trade.
Ask her where it's going
to take place.
Who cares?
What's it got to do
with me?
Everything.
The Apaches have been raiding
further south than ever before.
They're not interested in
picking up any livestock.
They're looking
for gold and jewels.
There's gonna be a trade,
all right.
If we know when and where,
we can be there to stop it.
So you can be there.
All I gotta do
is find Pardee.
Maybe you can't... or won't.
You're just gonna have
to wait and see.
Let's go.
What about her?
[whimpers]
Shoot it.
Better yet,
save the bullet.
Nobody's touching that girl.
She's going with us.
Like hell, she is.
You're not giving any orders.
While you're looking
for Pardee,
she just might remember where
that trade's gonna take place.
What harm can she do
this little indita, huh?
Ah!
Tell her she's coming with us.
Si, mi Capitan. Si.
Ven, muchachita. Ven.
Hey, Captain.
Two of them are Indians.
- Rodriguez.
- Huh?
Apache?
Membrano clan.
And that one, too.
Hey, Rodriguez.
Can you read that?
No.
If we're parallel
to the Rio Grande,
they are, too.
Apaches and the Pardee people
are already working together.
Sergeant, are these mules
ready to move?
Soon as we bury these men.
- Who said we were?
- There isn't time.
- What about the guns?
- Put them on the wagon.
But I have no weapon,
only this little knife.
You don't need no weapon,
and you don't need this.
But, Capitan!
Franklyn...
put here on the wagon, too.
Yes, sir.
- You.
- Huh?
You tell her she has
nothing to be afraid of,
as long as she does
what she is told.
She might believe you more if
you gave her something to eat.
You opened this
last night, huh?
Si.
The fuse is gone.
What did you do with it?
Lower the gun, huh?
What did you do with it?
It's there.
[speaks Spanish]
The lariat.
Si. Mira.
Mira, huh?
I wove it during the night,
thinking to hide it better
for you that way.
When a man sets out
on what may be his last ride,
he should go with people
he trusts.
Huh?
[chuckles]
I pick a gun for myself
and Lassiter, huh?
No gun for you.
You mount them.
But--
[speaks Spanish]
The reasons for staying with
this detail are getting less and less.
You just try leaving.
Oh, Captain, you wouldn't
shoot an unarmed man.
You try me.
[chuckles]
Whoa!
Sergeant!
Let's see how deep it is.
The water will fill
the top of the wagon
- before we get to the middle.
- I know it.
The Major and I
told you so, huh?
And the water is lowest here
for a hundred miles.
[chuckles]
We'll move on to Presidio.
But Capitan, you cannot take
the wagon across, can you?
How? Hmm?
There's a ferry in Presidio,
isn't there?
Yes, sir, Captain.
Whoa.
There you are, Captain.
There's your ferry.
Now all you gotta do
is ride down there
and tell those Texas Rangers
that you got
a wagon load of gunpowder
you wanna get to
the other side of the river
SO you can trade it
to the Apache.
Buenas tardes, senorita.
Buenas tardes, senor.
- Rodriguez.
- Si.
You got any other
bright ideas?
Yes, sir, I do,
but I can't remember
one of them
without my rifle.
Franklyn...
let me have Lassiter's rifle.
First, we'll see what we
can find out about Pardee.
You and him and me,
we'll ride up there,
get us a drink,
and look around.
And leave him
with the wagon, huh?
Yes, sir.
He'll need a rifle, too.
Franklyn stays
with the wagon.
Now, what is Franklyn
gonna do with the wagon
when he gets it across,
if he gets it across?
You know where
Split Mountain is,
next to the swamp?
No.
Well, Captain,
Rodriguez does.
Si.
How do I know
he won't desert us?
Oh, no, Capitan.
What are you saying? Huh?
Rodriguez is my man.
- He wouldn't desert me.
- Si, amigo.
And you and me,
we'll be side by side.
Shall we go, Captain?
Yeah.
Have fun, amigos.
Hey, there's a loaded rifle
in the seat.
Gracias.
[speaks native language]
Impossible.
She wasting my time.
[crowd chatters]
On the red.
On the red.
Pardee been in yet?
Who?
Theron Pardee,
sometimes calls
himself Colonel.
- Never heard of him.
- [ball clatters]
16 on the red.
Let it ride.
[woman laughing]
- Hey, querida, scoémo estas?
- Bien, gracias.
¿Donde está
mi amigo Pardee, huh?
No comprendo.
Ah! You buy me drink?
In a little while.
Five. Red again.
All bets down.
We go around.
One more time.
Where's Al?
Place your bets.
[ball whirring]
Al, you say?
The man who owns this place.
I own this place.
And so far, mister,
I don't know what
you're talking about.
Well, Al does.
Maybe that's why he died.
You don't say. I didn't even
know he was feeling poorly.
[ball clatters]
23, red again.
You got $40 on the red, mister.
What's your pleasure?
- [ball whirring]
- One more time.
Let's get ourselves a drink.
I am terribly sorry, sir.
Terribly sorry, indeed.
He said he was sorry, sir.
Now, you sit down.
28, black.
You lose, mister.
That comes as
no surprise at all.
- Are you accusing me--
- No, nothing like that.
We'll have whiskey
and three glasses, please.
I ain't got no more whiskey.
I ain't got no beer, either.
Franklyn?
Everybody relax.
Now, I want you
to listen to me.
Real careful now, hmm?
Are you listening?
- Uh-huh.
- That's good.
Now, I want a bottle
of whiskey
and three glasses
set right up here.
Come on, you get 'em.
Right now.
Come on.
Get 'em out there.
Oh, friend, friend,
you're not listening.
I said one bottle
and three glasses.
That's right.
Pour careful.
Don't spill any.
That's right.
That's one.
There you are.
And one more to go.
There it is, now.
Gentlemen?
Here's to the Union.
Now, friends,
just keep the peace.
Each man in his own pew,
and we'll be taking our leave.
[shouting in distance]
[woman screams]
Gotta move, Sergeant.
[shouting]
- [gunshot]
- [speaking Spanish]
Look, man.
No Rodriguez, no wagon.
That's right.
Your man's been and gone.
He got the wagon across,
and he left a clear track.
The trail heads right
into that swamp.
We lost five hours in
this godforsaken cesspool.
Well, Captain,
we could have lost a lot more.
The Indian pony is unshod.
Let's head on in.
Nobody can get that
heavy wagon through there.
Maybe Rodriguez could.
Yes, sir, Captain.
[wings flutter]
[geese honking]
[gunshot]
Come on!
Now drop it.
[sighs]
[speaks Spanish]
It is you, amigo.
I am glad to see you.
Drop it.
What, this?
Si.
And thank you for taking
that shot at me.
Oh, but I did not know
it was you, amigo.
- Stay where you are.
- In the mud?
In the mud.
But I do not understand.
Ah, Capitan!
You're a long way
from Split Mountain.
Where's the girl?
- Gone.
- Gone where?
She tried to give me
to the Apache, that one.
Yes, it is the truth.
We crossed and were waiting
by Split Mountain.
There was the sound of horses.
I knew it was too soon
to be you.
The I hear the Apache talk.
She called out to them,
- I put her head in the water.
- Did you drown her?
That is my sincerest hope,
amigo.
How many were there?
You'll forgive me.
I did not wait to count them.
You know, amigo,
I think the Captain here
was a little worried
that you took this wagon
for yourself.
Oh, Capitan...
[chuckles]
And what did you think?
I wondered.
Oh, no, no.
All right,
let's get this wagon moving.
Can I get out of the mud?
Yeah, get out of the mud.
Gracias.
Captain:
Rodriguez doesn't kill so good.
Lassiter:
Could be an ambush.
Maybe, maybe not.
We just can't leave
her there.
You can't, I can.
I hate to see brave men die.
Better we ride now, huh?
Too bad.
Amigo, why?
Because you gave your word?
Hey! Hey!
So this man is crazy.
These gringos drive me
out of my mind.
[speaks native language]
She waited for us to come
with the wagon, and we came.
She is the bait, this one.
[woman moaning]
Well, Captain...
take a good look.
[moaning continues]
[moaning continues]
[gunshot]
We're moving out.
[baby cries]
[gunfire]
[groans]
[baby crying]
[crying continues]
[speaks Spanish]
Any orders, Captain?
You were right.
About her,
or everything?
[baby cries]
About sundown, they'll be
picking us off one at a time...
and we'll be sitting here
waiting for orders.
Captain, you must have studied
a situation like this at West Point.
I'll bet you were
the first man in your class.
That's right.
- Hey, amigo.
- Hmm?
We got nothing
to worry about.
You'll live to a hundred
and die in the bed
of some muchacha.
[laughs]
That is not very funny,
my friend.
There's only one thing
that worries me, Captain.
That detail that was guarding
those guns that were stolen--
Who was in command
of that detail?
Was it you?
I didn't hear what you said.
Yeah, it was me.
[chuckles]
What a shame to die out here
in a place like this
and blight a great career.
You are stupid enough
to become a general.
Don't you worry
about it.
You just live long enough
to see it.
[horses approaching]
[horse approaching]
He's taking off.
Just might be trying
to draw them off, Captain.
[horse approaching]
[gunfire]
[gunfire continues]
[speaks Spanish]
Bueno, amigo. Bueno.
[shouting]
[screaming]
[Lassiter laughing]
[whimpering]
[laughing]
No! Let him burn!
- Let him burn!
- [gunshot]
Doing like they do
don't make it right.
[groans]
- You have killed him?
- No, he'll be all right.
- I'll get some water.
- We haven't got time for that.
Two Apaches got away.
You tie him up
and put him on his horse.
Si, mi Capitan. Si.
[thunder rumbles]
Captain thought
it would be better
till you came back
to yourself again.
[cries out]
Who hit me?
You were clean out
of your head.
All right.
No more problems.
Captain?
He stays tied.
Well, Captain, I got a
bottle in my saddlebag.
Do you mind?
Give him his bottle.
[thunderclap]
Amigo, how do you feel?
Untie me, I'll feel better.
I can't break the rules.
You heard the Capitan.
Maybe I can help you
hold the bottle, huh?
[groans]
Rodriguez, come here!
Si! Save me some.
I don't know what this man wants
in this rain.
[thunderclap]
Ask her if there's anything more
we can do for the baby.
[speaks native language]
Well?
The baby is dead.
Do you think she knows it?
She knows.
[speaks native language]
[woman chanting]
That chant is for
their own dead.
I think she will let you
have the baby now.
Maybe she'll tell us now.
What?
Ask her where the trade
is going to take place.
Mi Capitan,
even if she knows,
she would never say.
Tell her that we know
about the guns.
New medicine her people
are to be given.
Tell her.
[speaks native language]
Tell her that
we have come here
so that we can keep
her people
from getting those guns.
Not because I want
my people
to be stronger
in war than yours.
We want no war.
No more babies,
our people's or your people's.
She'll never die
like this one did.
[ Rodriguez speaks
native language]
When we found her,
she said "three sons."
There's still time,
if the place of trade
is not too far.
[speaks native language]
Ask her if she will
lead us there.
[speaks native language]
Will you lead us there?
[laughs]
- Rodriguez is gone.
- Is he now?
He took one of
the repeaters, too.
You don't look
very surprised.
Which way's he heading?
Which way would you guess
he was heading?
You brought him along.
Well, that depends on
just why Rodriguez left.
He might have decided
that this mission was
all over
and that you wouldn't be
needing him anymore.
You got two mules to pull
this wagon,
and you're not gonna pull it
very far.
It sounds like
you want out, too.
I told you I'd find Pardee.
When and where
will you find Pardee?
I can't say.
Maybe in two more days, maybe.
And maybe never.
If what she says is right,
tomorrow's gonna be too late.
Those Indians are gonna
have those rifles.
Why don't you go on back
to Presidio?
You like that, wouldn't you?
And give up my big chance
of becoming a general?
Look, Lassiter,
I like what you did back there.
Maybe you did save our lives.
I don't know
what you got in mind,
but if you want to get,
then just get.
Have you got some idea
that she is gonna guide you?
I don't know.
- But you're going on anyway?
- Yep.
To do what?
To do what we came
out here to do.
[chuckles]
And you're gonna go with him?
Yeah.
Well, I guess you're planning
on becoming a general, too.
That really would be
something, wouldn't it?
Yeah.
Sergeant, I'd be obliged
if you'd get me my horse.
Good luck to you.
Thank you, Sergeant.
And good luck to you.
About a half a day's ride
southwest of here,
the Rio Conchos.
If Pardee's not operating
out of Presidio,
the Conchos is a good place
to find him.
You get to the Conchos,
follow it downstream
about three miles past
the big bend.
There's a box canyon
with live oaks in it,
make good cover
for this wagon.
I find Pardee,
I'll bring him to you.
Thanks, Major.
Major?
And good luck to you, Captain.
Good luck to you, Major.
[wind blowing]
[wind gusting]
3 |Spanish guitar)
Tequila, eh?
Yeah.
- ...Dinero?
- Si.
You know many people here?
Many.
Where's my dinero?
You have heard of a man
named Pardee?
Never.
How about my money?
He's a gringo.
He's very rich.
I am a gringo myself,
and I'm poor.
Oh, and I, too,
on the side of my father.
Si, si.
This is all I have
to remember him by.
Is very nice, no?
Look. Solid gold.
And this was my mother's.
She was a very nice lady,
my mother.
- See?
- [belches]
The chain is gold, too.
The whole thing,
all of gold.
Nice, huh?
You want something to eat?
- No, gracias.
- Ah, Isabel!
- Si.
- Come here.
Give something nice
to this hombre to eat.
[speaks Spanish]
- [smacks]
- [yelps]
I do not wish to sell
such fine things
for a plate of beans.
She serve you
upstairs, senor.
Mm-mmm.
- ¿Anita?
- ¡Un momento!
[speaks Spanish]
Hey, is fantastic.
[speaks Spanish]
Hey. Hey, hey.
Take the tequila.
Go on.
It would be a pleasure
to be your guest...
if I did not have
to find this Pardee.
-Pagtee.
-Si.
You know...
it seems to me I heard
something of such a man.
Bueno.
- Wait.
- Si, I wait.
You were right,
there is such a man.
But on a night like this,
it's gonna take a little time
to find him.
I will wait, hombre.
Upstairs.
Make yourself comfortable.
[all speak Spanish]
Hey, tell me something.
You think she's too skinny,
this one?
Go on, take them both.
What are you waiting for?
Of course.
[speaks Spanish]
[rifle slams]
- Jim!
- Chico.
I see that gun, I thought
it was the crazy one here.
- Crazy one?
- Si, he's upstairs.
Go ahead, sit down.
I buy you a drink, huh?
What brings you here in
the middle of such a night?
Business.
With Pardee?
How did you know?
Tonight, everybody's
trying to find Pardee.
Including the crazy one?
Mexican, speaks English,
got a rifle like this?
Hey, if there's gonna be
any shooting, Jim--
It's my partner.
I sent him on ahead.
Where's Pardee?
His man is gonna be here soon.
I better wake that one up.
He's not asleep.
Anita!
[speaks Spanish]
[women laughing]
There's two, Jim.
Lassiter! Mi amigo!
Hey, come up!
Bring a bottle with you!
He never told me once
that he had a partner.
- He is a very careful man.
- [laughs]
That's why I picked him.
Pardee's man gets here,
you call me.
Come in.
[chuckles]
I missed you this morning.
Oh, you did not think
I deserted you?
On my father's honor...
whoever he was.
Believe me, it was my plan
to share with you...
just like now.
Which one of these beauties
you like, huh?
[speaks Spanish]
This is better than with
the Capitan, that loco.
You fooled me with
your giving your word.
I said we're gonna bring
this wagon to Pardee,
and that's what we're doing,
isn't it?
Si. Stop it.
You're driving me crazy.
How much you think it is worth?
50 bottles of gunpowder, eh?
About 100 American
dollars apiece.
[chuckles]
And we will share it?
Just like brothers.
[laughs]
We will drink to it.
[cackling]
[speaks Spanish]
Who would have thought
that night in the guard house
we would be here like this?
Rich men!
But I knew it.
Remember that time?
That time with the rope
almost around my neck?
You came, and I said--
I said my luck had changed.
- We don't have the money yet.
- But we will.
Tomorrow or the day after.
The wagon is where
we can find it, yes?
And the Captain,
and Franklyn.
You did not kill them?
But you left.
They just let you go?
I told them I was coming
to find Pardee.
You told them you were going
to find Pardee?
You will, amigo!
[laughing]
Lassiter, you and I
will live like kings!
If we sell the wagon
instead of blowing it up.
What? To blow it up?
Who would that profit?
- Everyone but us.
- Why should we do such a thing?
You make a joke.
What do you think?
I think you try
to fool me, amigo.
Rodriguez, tell me something.
Just one time in your life,
did you ever think about
doing something for somebody
beside Rodriguez?
Si, for you, amigo...
for you.
[gunshot]
You did fool me, amigo.
I was wrong about the good omen.
I remember now.
When I said meeting you again
had changed my luck--
[soft chuckle]
...you said,
"For the worse."
That's the America no,
Pardee's friend.
Well, now...
you must be Lassiter.
- Who are you?
- That's Pardee's man, a new one.
This Mexican I was sent here
to see--
We had a slight disagreement.
I dissolved the partnership.
I speak for him now.
Well? Where's Pardee?
Hand your weapons over
to my men and follow me.
You can either hand them over
or have them taken.
Live or dead makes
no difference to me.
- 14-pounder.
- That's right.
That's the fourth one
I've seen.
We got a brigade
of light artillery
dispersed through the heights.
Since we're camped here
permanently,
we take special precautions.
[man shouting in distance]
...in violation of Article 3,
prohibits any officer
from the possession
of personal firearms.
Further charged
with dereliction of duty,
reflecting the most
grievous discredit
upon the arms and position
of the Army of the Confederacy,
IN general court-martial
convened
on the seventh instant,
the accused having been given
the benefit of counsel,
having then been tried--
Colonel Pardee, sir.
How dare you interrupt
a military formation!
Put yourself at attention.
Yes, sir.
Carry on!
Man: Fellow officers,
who after due deliberations,
handed down the unanimous
verdict...
guilty as charged.
Proceed!
Firing squad, ready!
Aim!
Fire!
Dismissed.
Oh! James, my boy!
It's good.
It's good to see you.
Thank you, sir.
Come on!
I commissioned
that man myself,
but he turns out
a petty thief.
Major, at ease.
Yes, sir.
Well, what do you say now?
A miracle, isn't it?
Chihuahua instead of Louisiana?
The Rio Conchos
instead of the Mississippi?
But here, river view.
Back to life again
as it sprung from the ashes.
Beautiful, isn't it?
You know,
you've no idea
how happy
I am to see you.
Come, my boy. Come.
I've been expecting you,
you know?
How was that, sir?
Naturally, your little
escapade at Presidio
was reported to me.
We are well organized.
You reminded me
of our own conversation.
Colonel,
may I speak with you?
Out.
I remember you thought me mad.
Sir, that's not so.
No need to deny it, James.
I am not offended.
Here, you can see
for yourself.
Here, it is all not a dream,
but reality.
Actual wood and stone,
manned, and an army.
Now, what do you say?
That I would like to join you,
sir, if you still want me.
Tell me, James...
what made you return
at this particular time?
You don't even know what day
tomorrow is, do you?
No, sir,
I'm afraid I don't.
I can't say I blame you.
It's not a very pleasant day
to remember.
April 9th.
It was just
two years ago tomorrow
that Lee surrendered
to Grant at Appomattox.
We had better soldiers,
better men,
a superior cause,
winning all the battles.
Still we did not win the war.
Have you ever asked
yourself why, James?
Because we were
insufficiently ruthless.
We allowed our own code
of honor to destroy us.
But tomorrow,
on the anniversary
of that battle,
I shall dispatch at least
1,000 mountain men
against the enemy,
and they will be ruthless.
I need not supply them,
organize them, instruct them,
nor lead them,
and yet they compare
with the best troops
I have ever seen.
The Apache.
Ah! James!
James, my boy,
the plan is flawless!
I give the Apache these,
they give me gold
and silver for them
and attack the enemy
without pause or quarter
in the rear of his army
in his homes,
as the enemy did to us.
Well, Major, do you approve
of my tactics?
Sir, I think
I can give you something
that will make your tactics
more effective.
You mean the wagon load
of gunpowder?
[chuckles]
Theron Pardee,
the gray fox.
Knowing you as I do,
how in the world did I ever
think I could fool you?
Do you really know me, Major?
Come.
It was picked up late yesterday
by one of my patrols.
Well, that comes as
no surprise at all.
The only surprise is it took
your people so long to find us
when we were trying
so hard to be found.
There's no blood
on any of it that I can see.
As I told Colonel Pardee, you
must let yourselves be taken.
Please, James.
I'll talk first.
Better yet, let them
speak for themselves.
What good would that do?
They'd lie.
Deserters always do.
That tells me nothing.
Renegades are always a risk.
A man turns his coat once,
what's to prevent him
from doing it again?
As for the black,
why should he want
to join us at all?
- Well, sir, I think--
- No, James.
Let him talk.
He's capable of speech,
I assume.
Yes, sir.
Remove your hat.
Well?
Meaning no offense
to you, sir.
All I want out of this
is the money.
And you?
Money...
but a lot more
than you'd pay him.
Pardee: Ask the girl
what she knows of these men.
[man speaks native language]
[speaks native language]
They tried to make her lead them
to the place
where the guns would be traded
to her people,
but she would not do it.
Yes, sir, we figured that,
wherever the trade
was gonna take place,
that's where we'd find
the highest bidder,
whoever he might be.
- Open the canvas.
- Man: Si.
[speaks Spanish]
- Man: Uncover more, mi jefe?
- Pardee: No, that's enough.
- Garcia?
- Si, mi jefe.
Tell the girl
to join her people.
[speaks native language]
All right,
I'll meet your price.
Have the mules unhitched.
We'll leave the wagon here
for the time being.
Tell them below
to get a raft ready.
We'll probably be shipping it
the same time the guns go.
What about our money?
Later today,
when I get mine.
[man shouting in distance]
Here's your gold.
At $20 an ounce,
250 ounces make $5,000.
$100 is a barrel.
Soon as our customer arrives,
we'll strike the balance
and you will be paid.
Meanwhile, I think
this calls for a drink.
[man shouts]
[speaks native language]
Guns all here as you give word.
Here is gold I promise.
Fine.
And this gentleman
is Chief Blood shirt,
and here are the men
who brought the gunpowder,
and this is their leader,
Major James Lassiter.
I drink to our cunning victory.
You are not drinking, James.
Lassiter.
Lassiter.
They tell me
there is such a man.
Great killer of my people.
Often I think,
what kind of man
is this Lassiter
that hunts the Apache like
the Apache hunts the White Eye?
[chuckles]
Now I look.
I see.
Same as me.
Same hate here.
Now you say Lassiter
come to help Apache.
Why?
Why?
Gold. That gold.
Chief: No, not for
a wagon full of gold.
I will tell why Lassiter come.
To Kill...
and then to die.
Can this be true, James?
-No.
-Yes!
You know I speak truth.
Here, we're like brother.
Same dead seed.
Same alone.
No wife, no child.
Only left to kill, to die.
But new guns good.
With new guns,
Apache will kill, kill, Kill
till White Eye never forget
what he take from Apache.
Always blood of wife
and child to remind him.
[speaks native language]
[speaks native language]
[horse neighs]
You want water?
Drink?
[clatters]
It is good you are strong.
The next sun,
I come back for you.
We will see how strong.
No more meals.
Man: No, mi jefe.
[men speaking Spanish]
[speaking Spanish]
- [groans]
- [horse whinnies]
Get him over there
in that gully.
You'll be under cover there.
Where you going?
Blood shirt, eh?
I'll give you plenty of time
before I start shooting.
What about the guns?
Isn't that why we came here?
Or was that Apache right?
You just want to Kill
and be killed.
That powder is 100 yards
from those guns,
and you got nothing
to light that fuse with.
Help me take my boot off.
[shouting in distance]
You know, he may get
to be a general yet.
Yeah.
[tapping]
[gun cocks]
You out for a little stroll,
Lassiter?
Major Johnson...
if you are gonna pull
that trigger,
you had better aim good,
real good.
You wouldn't want
to wake up the Chief.
[men shouting in distance]
[speaks Spanish]
[overlapping chatter]
[men speaking native language]
[men laughing]
[chatter continues]
[horse neighs]
[men shouting]
[gunshot]
[gunshots]
[explosions]
Major Johnson.
Major Johnson.
Major Johnson!
Major Johnson!
[explosions]
[explosions]