How the West Was Won (1962) - full transcript

NARRATOR: This land has a name today

and is marked on maps.

But the names and the marks and the land

all had to be won.

Won from nature and from primitive man.

Five generations ago,

a mere 125 years back...

...this land was known

only as the West.

Known only to a handful of white men...

...lomely trappers wandering its vastness

in search of beaver.

They were known as mountain men,

a mew breed.

Men like Jim Bridger,

Franchère and Sublette, Linus Rawlings.

More Indian than the Indians

in all but blood.

They held to no law but their own...

...drifted free as the clouds,

settled nowhere, kept forever on the move.

Their moccasined feet and unshod horses

leaving no trace on the land.

Like the Indians,

with whom they were at peace...

...they wanted nothing beyond

what they found, and little of that.

The mountains, the forests,

the harsh country...

...were as unchanging to them

as the stars...

...and just as unyielding.

Far behind the mountains,

beyond the rolling plains...

...they had left the people of the East,

people who were restless in another way.

The kind who'd look at a mountain

and see a watershed...

...look at a forest

and see lumber for houses...

...look at a stony field and see a farm.

Their faces and their instincts

had been turned to the West...

...ever since Plymouth Rock

and Jamestown.

The trapper's road was the trail

of a wolf or the bend of a canyon.

But for whole families

chaffing to follow the sun...

...there had to be broader ways.

There were no roads into the wilderness,

only rivers.

And they flowed in the wrong direction:

north or south.

Or else they stopped at the Alleghenies.

Until one day, a mew river took source

in the mind of a man named DeWitt Clinton.

He conceived of a river

that would go west.

And in the way Americans have

of acting out their dreams, it came to be.

The Erie Canal left the Hudson

above Albany...

...and carried clear across

to the Great Lakes.

People who yearned for virgin land

and a mew life...

...now had a highway to take them.

And they moved along.

MAN:

Pride of Utica now loading!

Al aboard for the Pride of Utica!

The Ramsey family, Peter Smith...

...the Skoga family!

All eight of then!

Al aboard for the Pride of Utica!

Is the laddie's health

the reason you're heading west?

Partly.

Only partly.

Mostly our trouble East was rocks.

I had me a farm where some years I'd

raise 100 bushels of rocks to the acre.

Zebulon, you hadn't

ought to lie to the nan like that.

Wife, I'm a God-fearing soul,

and I tell the truth as I see it.

Now, I never used a plow.

I'd blast out the furrows with gunpowder.

And then one morning,

I hauled the bucket up out of the well...

...and so help me,

the bucket was full of rocks.

Rocks.

I just stood there right still

trying not to blaspheme.

I said to myself,

"You've got a son that's ailing...

...you've got a daughter

what won't take to herself a husband."

There she sits there, mooning as usual.

Pa.

You've got another who don't seem

quite right in the head.

Lilith?

LILITH:

Yes. Pa?

Now, I'll remind you. sir.

I'm still standing there

holding a bucket full of rocks...

...and staring into a bleak old age.

So I made me a vow

right then and there. I said:

"If I can find a man with $500

who likes rocks...

...then there's gonna be another fool

owning this farm."

Well, sir, the Lord provided such a nan...

...and here I an.

He ain't told you one word of truth,

Mr. Harvey.

We had the best farm in the township.

Yeah. Rockville Township it was.

Stone County.

Oh, it was not.

It was his itching foot

that brought us here.

Heaven knows where we'll end up.

Oh, these are my laddies.

Angus, Brutus and Colin.

How do you do?

Hello.

I think they're already acquainted

with your daughters.

Be they single?

Aye, single so far.

Well, this Illinois country's beginning

to sound better to me.

Lilith?

Lilith, here. Strike up a little tune

for these handsome lads.

Oh, I ain't in no mood, Pa.

Lilith, there's a time for coaxing...

...this ain't the time.

All right.

(SINGING) A captain bold in Halifax

Who lived in country quarters

Betrayed a maid who hanged herself

One morning in her garters...

ZEBULON:

Lilith.

Now, you know better

than to sing a song like that.

What ones do you know?

We know "Yankee Doodle."

"Yankee Doodle"?

Their mother's dead.

They haven't had much learning

in the social graces.

All right. give then

"A Home in the Meadow."

(SINGING "A HOME

IN THE MEADOW")

Eve. come on, you too.

That's it.

Come on. join in.

(ALL SINGING)

That's it.

Come on.

Stop.

Loading for the Flying Arrow!

All aboard for the Flying Arrow!

The Prescott family!

Here we be. Come on.

Alec Harvey and three sons!

Jeffrey Rose and family!

But the canal was only the first step

toward the promised land.

The next steps were longer and harder.

Those who could raise the fare

went by steamboat to the end of the lime.

Others found a cheaper way

to head for Ohio, Illinois...

...and the open spaces beyond.

(HUMMING)

Lilith. Lilith. listen to this:

"Theirs was a poignant parting

in the forest."

The handsome young backwoodsman

carved two hearts on a tree trunk...

"...then from ten paces, hurled a knife

at the junction of the two hearts."

Junction. What's that?

Well, that's where the two hearts meet.

Now, listen:

"His marksmanship was uncanny."

Three times he hurled

the knife on target.

'That was for luck.' he

said the first time.

'That was for love. Deep, divine love.'

he said the second.

And the third time, 'That was a prayer,

a plea for love undying."'

Isn't that beautiful?

I reckon. If anybody ever talks like that.

Well, it's the sentiments, not the talk.

There ain't no sense to you. Eve.

You wanna to be a farm wife,

but you don't wanna marry a farmer.

Neither do you.

Of course not.

I don't wanna have

nothing to do with farms.

I want silk dresses and fine carriages

and a man to smell good.

What I want's back East, not West.

But I'll get there yet. You watch.

You don't know what you want yet.

It's the nan that counts.

not where he lives.

Ready, now?

MAN: Ready.

Daddy, Daddy, something coming upriver.

Hostile Indians, I suspect.

Could it be river pirates, Zebulon?

Don't know.

They say no honest nan

travels this river at night.

I can only see one man, Pa.

I hear that's a favorite pirate trick.

They hide in the bottom of the boat...

...till they're ready to jump you.

Get my gun, Colin.

All right, Pa.

Just come in slow and easy, stranger.

And keep your hands

where we can see them.

Name's Linus Rawlings.

I'm hungrier than sin

and real peaceful like.

What have you got in the craft?

Beaver pelts.

I said beaver pelts.

I never had a chance to see a beaver pelt,

Mr. Rawlings.

Well, in that case, ma'am,

I'll show you one.

There you are.

That's real soft.

It's a fine pelt, ma'am.

ZEBULON:

Now, my apologies, sir.

We was afeared you might be a pirate.

I ain't no pirate.

Come on. let's have supper

and get acquainted.

No, no, no. That's yours.

Keep that. ma'am.

Well, you sure set your cap in a hurry.

Is he the backwoodsman

you've been waiting for?

More than likely he's got

a wife and six kids waiting for him.

(LILITH SINGING)

Thank you, ma'am, that was right tasty.

You've only had four plates. I was

beginning to think you didn't like it.

Well, it don't pay to eat too much

on an empty stomach. ma'am.

How come you're to be traveling

so late at night?

Well, I'm kind of anxious

to get to Pittsburgh.

I ain't seen a city for a long time.

I aim to whoop it up a little.

(CHUCKLES)

Well, now. we've never seen

a mountain man before.

Tell me, them Rocky Mountains

as high as they say?

Well, now. I just don't rightly know.

I never climbed one. I've...

Uh...

Well, you know,

that just ain't exactly true.

Jin Bridger and me...

...we started up one of them little-bitty

Rocky Mountain foothills, you know.

And then. one day. we see this fella...

...and he has a great big pair

of white wings...

...and a harp in his hand.

And I said to Jim...

...I said, "Jin, I don't like the way

that fella's looking at us."

And Jim said he didn't care too much

for it neither...

...so we both skedaddled down

out of there...

...and to this day I ain't never had

a good look at the Rocky Mountains.

(ACCORDION PLAYS)

Well, I remember one time...

Zebulon.

What?

One liar at a time is enough.

(CHUCKLES)

Well, then. I reckon it's about bedtime.

Gotta get an early start in the morning.

We'll be expecting you for breakfast.

Oh, well, that's mighty hospitable,

Mr. Prescott...

...but sometimes I wake up

and get the urge to move.

I night be long gone by sunup,

but thank you.

I wanna thank all of you. Good night.

Good night.

Strange fellas, these mountain men.

Yeah, kind of like a wisp of smoke.

By golly. that looks like my blanket.

It is.

Well, then. I'm a mite confused, ma'am.

Whose bed would it be?

Yours.

I ain't ever saw a bed like that

since last time I come east.

Why'd you do it?

Ain't polite to ask a girl

why she dome something for a nan.

No. Well, I reckon my manners

ain't much at that.

Anyway, I sure thank you.

Good night, ma'am.

Are them Indian girls pretty?

Well, now. I reckon that all depends

on just how long a nan has gone...

...without seeing one.

How long's it been

since you seen a white girl?

I ain't quite sure why you asked that.

How pretty do I look to you?

But, ma'am...

...ain't you just being

a little bit forward?

Well, you're headed upriver

and I'm headed down.

There's no time

to get these questions answered.

You dead sure you want them answered?

Yes.

Glory be.

Ma'am, it seems like

you've been kissed before.

I've never been kissed permanent before.

By golly, you sure use surprising words.

I never heard "permanent" mixed up

with a thing like a kiss before.

I can still feel that kiss.

Can you?

Well, you said something before...

...that we had not forget:

I'm heading upstream

and you're headed downstream.

Lovers have parted before

and come together again.

Ma'am.

Eve.

Eve. I'm a sinful man.

Deep, dark, sinful.

I'm on my way to Pittsburgh

to be sinful again.

Likely I'll stay drunk for a month.

I won't even remember

the fancy gals I dally with...

...or the men I carve up

just out of pure cussedness...

...any more than I'll remember you.

Linus, I'm asking you.

Can you still feel that kiss?

Eve...

Eve. you make me feel like a man

standing on a narrow ledge...

...coning face-to-face with a grizzly bear.

There just ain't no ignoring the situation.

Eve!

Eve! Where is she?

Zeb, what's the matter?

Anyways, you're here.

I thought you'd gone with him.

Gone?

Yes, gone.

I knowed you were setting with him...

...but I kept telling myself,

"At least she's looking at a nan."

Even a wisp of smoke like that

is better than...

Are you crying? Crying for him?

Now, what does that mean?

Now, tell me what that means.

Nothing, Pa.

What time did you come to bed?

It was early. Pa.

It wasn't. It was late.

Daughter, I'm only gonna ask you once.

Is there anything for your ma and pa

to worry about?

No, Pa, there ain't.

He'll be back.

I'll see him again.

But you expected to see him this morning.

You know you did.

I don't care. I'll see him again.

Look.

You got a growed man to do that?

I did. Just like in the book.

Did you get him to say then crazy words?

I told you before, it ain't the words,

it's the sentiment.

You mean, he didn't even giggle nor nothing

at such foolishness?

He said it was a real solemn occasion.

Like shooting the rapids without a paddle.

No matter what he said, he did it just

to get rid of you so as he could clear out.

You know that's so.

And you're lucky he did. Do you wanna

live like a squaw all your life?

Go on, say anything you like...

...but I'll see him again. I know I will.

And he ain't got a wife and six kids.

He ain't got a wife at all yet.

Hey, Pierre!

Someone's coming upriver.

Customer.

Trapper, seems like.

See how that cover bellies up?

Could be furs.

Thirsty, mister?

Drier than a grasshopper on a hot griddle.

Well, welcome to our little inn, sir.

My name is Jeb Hawkins,

late colonel of the Alabama militia.

Where you bound for?

Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh? Well.

Looks like he's got

a whole canoe of furs. Pop.

Sure enough mountain nan.

Indeed.

One of our explorers gonna extend our

domain to the far shores of the Pacific.

Well, nothing but the finest for you, sir.

Whiskey?

Right.

No pepper or rattlesnake heads in this.

Nothing but the pure grain

and the sweet kiss of the malt.

Never mind the cup,

I'll just take the jug.

Oh, a real mountain man, huh?

I trust you'll toast our noble banner, sir.

Sure will.

Golly, you're right.

That's real sipping liquor.

Pa, him being a trapper, you suppose he

might know what that varmint is we got?

Well, say, now, he night.

Yes. sir, he just night.

Sir. we caught us

a cave-dwelling critter...

...that no nan in these parts

has seen before.

You know, it'd be right satisfying

to having you tell us what it is.

Well, I don't know too much

about cave-dwelling varmints.

Just yonder. Take your jug.

Well, I...

I don't know.

WOMAN:

It's right over here.

You know any sweet-talking gals

in Pittsburgh?

No, no. Nary a one, yet.

Well, Pop and I are hoping

we'll vacation there.

I'll be at the Duquesne House

if it ain't burned down.

Hey, there. now, you pretty girl,

you sure you got a varmint in here?

Now, you...

WOMAN: Do you hear him?

RAWLINGS: Huh?

WOMAN:

He breathes loud and fierce.

We keep him in this hole just yonder.

RAWLINGS: You keep him in there?

You gotta look a little closer.

(GRUNTS)

(SPLASHES)

Well, he seen the varmint, Pa.

Well dome. daughter.

I ain't so sure.

He was hard muscled. I could feel

the blade just skitter along his ribs.

Oh, you just meed more practice,

that's all.

It's a pity you ain't got the knack

your ma had.

Lord rest her soul.

All right. men, lay it on, men.

Come on. come on.

We got more fish to fry.

Down to the island.

Tell Pa them settlers' rafts are coning.

Can't I have this toilet water, Pa?

Genuine Parisian accent. it says.

How much is it?

It's only 15 cents.

Fifteen cents? Put it back.

You're right, sir. Absolutely right.

You save the pennies and dollars will grow.

Likely you've growed many a dollar.

Mr. Bedloe, all my life I've been striving

to avoid becoming a millionaire.

I think I've succeeded right well.

I've got a little put away in the sock.

It'll stay there.

Well, now. then's my sentiments exactly.

Now, you, sir.

You look like a man of property.

Now, if I was to bet, I'd say

you was worth, say, a thousand dollars.

Pretty close to the nark?

Well, close, maybe.

ALEC: Colin. how much powder we got left?

Don't be afraid. now, don't be afraid.

Now, there's women and children here.

You gents wouldn't want us to have

to start shooting, now, would you?

Be of good cheer, folks.

It's in our noble tradition

that we conquer the wilderness...

...with nothing but our bare hands

and stout hearts.

You can build mew rafts and sally forth

in the spirit of your forefathers.

Why, you pious old scoundrel.

I'll see you burn.

(BEDLOE LAUGHING)

BEDLOE:

Americans can't be whipped.

(SCREAMS)

It's him.

I knew he'd come back. It's him.

(SCREAMS)

Now let us pray.

O Lord...

...we thank thee for our salvation.

We commit the souls of our dead

to thy gentle keeping.

We pray for a speedy recovery

of our wounded.

And now another matter.

O Lord...

...without consulting with thee...

...we have sent thy way some souls

whose evil ways passeth all understanding.

We ask thee humbly to receive then.

Whether you want them or not.

Amen.

Now, it'll be a job...

...but I guess I can patch her up

good enough to get to Pittsburgh.

Linus.

Now, Eve...

...let's just not talk any more about it.

Linus, I'm telling you,

you don't know your own mind.

Well, maybe so, maybe not.

You know, I ain't saying

that you haven't been on my mind some.

I ain't saying that.

But I still went to see the varmint

with that pirate girl.

I'll always be

going to see the varmint, Eve.

I just ain't cut out

to be a farmer or a husband.

Linus, I ain't never bringing up

the subject again...

...whether ever I see you or not.

No, it's for the best.

I wish you Godspeed, Eve.

And I ain't said that to anybody

for a long time.

I can see rapids ahead. Pa. White water.

Look. Look.

Oh, we must've taken the wrong fork.

Let's beach her on this side.

Harvey!

Rapids!

Rapids ahead! Beach her!

Beach her!

REBECCA:

Hold her steady.

Rein!

Pa, we're in the current!

Get inside, Zeke.

ZEKE:

No, I don't wanna.

Straighten her. Pa.

Lilith!

Hold it steady!

EVE:

I can't!

Go on. Go on to help Pa.

I'll get it.

(LILITH SCREAMS)

REBECCA:

Lilith! Lilith!

Lie down!

RAWLINGS:

What happened?

They took the wrong fork of the river

and they went over the falls.

RAWLINGS: Did you happen to hear

the name of the family?

Uh... Prescott, I think.

Something like that.

As soon as they're buried decent...

...I'm heading back East

on the first boat that comes along.

And if you were in your right mind,

you would too.

Oh, Linus.

(SINGING "ROCK OF AGES")

Would you walk with me a piece, Eve?

Eve. I...

Eve. all the time I was paddling down here

I was thinking...

...if I found you alive, I'd...

Would you come

to Pittsburgh with me, Eve?

Oh, Linus.

I'm staying right here.

I ain't moving a foot

one way or the other.

Now, would you explain that a little?

Ma and Pa,

they wanted a farm in the West...

...and this is as far as they got.

Seems to me this is where the Lord

wanted the farm to be.

But your brother, San, he's bad hurt,

and winter's coning...

There's no sense talking about it.

I'm gonna do it.

Eve. you just ain't making much sense.

Well, half the people that come West

don't make much sense, I reckon.

All right.

By golly, you're a strong-minded woman.

I reckon I seen that varmint

for the last time.

(HORN BLOWS)

The westward course was no smoother

than that of true love.

Not only the hard hand of nature

was against it, but the impediment of war.

Trouble over land

smoldered along the Mexican border.

Not all Americans were for war, including

Congressman Abe Lincoln of Illinois.

But a war did break out,

and in the end...

...vast mew territories came into the Union

along with their rich Spanish names:

Rio Grande, Santa Fe,

Albuquerque, El Paso.

And most glittering of all, California...

...named after a mythical island of

pearls and gold in a 15th-century novel.

Here, in 1848...

...at Sutter's Mill, a man found something

he wasn't even looking for...

...at the bottom of a ditch.

And the cry of his discovery was heard

clear across the continent...

...in Boston, New York, Savannah...

...and across the oceans

in London, Paris, Berlin.

But nowhere was the clamor of gold

heard more eagerly than in St. Louis...

...the busiest fur-trading center

in the world...

...and the noisiest, bawdiest,

most uppity town west of New York.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(SINGING)

I say there's no more than three.

Six.

Six?

It's that lace that fooled you.

I say three.

Watch him. I hear Cleve's an expert on

petticoats. Anyway, you can never prove it.

We're going to be late

for that poker game.

Look. I've just stuck you

for the most expensive dinner in St. Louis.

I don't mind sticking

you a bit deeper. I'll

I lay you a hundred it's

no less than six.

How will you prove it?

Go backstage and find out.

If I go back and check with you.

Fair enough.

Second girl.

Miss Prescott? Miss Prescott?

later.

It's rather important.

It's always important.

The older they are.

the more important it gets.

Miss Prescott, please.

I an Hylan Seabury...

...attormey in the matter

of Jonathan Brooks.

He means nothing to you?

That old goat?

Well, you must've meant

something to him, Miss Prescott.

Why?

You're included in his will.

Of course, you have to make the trip

to California to claim the bequest.

Well, now. I wouldn't go to California...

...if John Jacob Astor left me

San Francisco.

I don't think Mr. Astor

had holdings there, no.

However, the yield from

Mr. Brooks' property is not to be scorned.

Yield of what?

Gold, Miss Prescott. Gold.

Gold?

Precisely.

You own a gold mine, Miss Prescott.

It yielded $3500 the very first week.

LILITH:

Gold mine?

Well. Well, I...

That sweet old goat.

For heavens...

Well.

This is an unexpected pleasure.

Where's the money?

Money?

Money?

Oh, yes. You're referring, of course.

to our little agreement.

One hundred to start you off...

...and my share of the winnings.

Well, I'm somewhat embarrassed to report

that the hundred no longer exists.

That $100, I assure you...

...will turn out to be the best investment

you have ever made.

I have plans, gentlemen...

...beyond your wildest dreams.

I'm gonna earn you

a piece of a gold mime.

Gold mine.

You ain't gonna earn nothing.

You ain't gonna be nothing.

you ain't gonna do nothing...

...unless we get that 100 back

by the morning.

Grimes, you don't mean that.

You're gonna kill off the golden goose.

Call it what you want. mister.

We'll be waiting.

Independence, Missouri, was the jump-off

point for emigrants from everywhere.

Solid, God-fearing families

bound for the farmlands of Oregon...

...and get-rich-quick adventurers

racing for the gold of California.

Try it.

You got a wagon. I suppose?

I can get one.

And a team to pull it?

I can get everything I meed.

You got a husband?

I'm single. Mr. Morgan.

No traveling companion?

No, I'm traveling alone.

Not on my wagon train.

Alone and single brings out

the deviltry in a man.

Gets then all worked up

and they're wild enough already.

I intend to keep to myself, Mr. Morgan.

Oh, woman of your sort?

One day you'd find

yourself in trouble, and

there'd be hell to pay

just figuring out who.

What did you say, Mr. Morgan?

Well, now. ain't you the feisty one.

I like spirit in a woman.

Hey, you got a pretty face

under that powder too.

And a fine, sturdy body

under then clothes, I wager.

There's a woman named Clegg.

Aggie Clegg.

Why don't you go see her?

Thanks.

I told you, no.

I was hoping to make this trip

with a husband.

Nearly got one last week.

Look. I hear there's 40 men

to every woman in California.

Miss Clegg. I'd be willing to pay you.

I don't meed money.

I meed a nan.

Any man.

Morning, ladies.

Beautiful morning.

Would you, by any chance.

happen to be Miss Lily Prescott?

Not unless you got a big imagination.

Then you must be the lady in question.

Cleve Van Valen, Miss Prescott,

at your service.

At your every command

from here to California.

Well, thank you.

But whatever you're offering,

I don't meed.

(CHUCKLES)

Perhaps you don't understand.

(LAUGHS)

Yes. I do.

I know a tin-horn when I see one.

Miss Prescott.

I'm offering you an honest day's work

for an honest day's pay.

Goodbye, Mr. Van Valen. Goodbye.

Well, it's been a pleasure to meet you.

Miss Clegg.

May I say I have never seen a woman

with more beautiful hair.

What a prize catch it'll make...

...hanging from the waist of an Indian.

Beauty alone in the wilderness,

and who's to protect you?

No one.

Not one person

won't be looking after himself.

Well...

Good day. ladies. Good day.

Nobody ever said that to me before.

What?

That I had such... Such beautiful hair.

You know something?

I got a hunch you're gonna draw men

like fish to the bait.

Maybe I can catch one of then

while they swim by.

You got yourself a partner.

Thank you.

MAN 1:

How's it, men?

MAN 2: It's all clear through here.

Look for

a little mud-hole up

through the next pocket.

MAN 1: How far?

MAN 2: Oh, maybe half a quarter.

MAN 1: Well, thanks.

MAN 2: Looks a little

higher up on that ridge.

MAN 1: There's a water hole up there

about half a mile. Let's head for it.

MAN 3:

Water hole about a half a mile ahead.

Hey, you're driving.

I was raised on a farm.

MAN 3:

Water hole about a half a mile ahead.

Hey, Aggie?

Can you use these?

AGGIE: Yeah. sure.

Thanks.

Ladies.

At your service.

LILITH:

I thought we'd gotten rid of you.

Well, I just couldn't bear to think of

you two making this trip without my help.

If I was to hear later on that something

happened to you, I'd never forgive myself.

You came 100 miles alone?

Well, I had no way of counting the miles.

Mr. Morgan. but I'll take your word for it.

Well, you've got another 100, mister.

Going back.

I told you, when a wagon breaks down,

I want men who can fix it...

...not bet how long it'll take.

You don't mean you'll turn me out?

Pass me adrift at the mercy

of savage Indians?

If you don't get moving.

I'll cast you adrift...

Uh-uh-uh.

I appeal to your sporting instinct, sir.

I'm prepared to wager you

that I stay with this train.

Well, you got a wager.

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

The fact is, I hired this man.

We'll put up his stake.

Is that right, Miss Prescott?

If Miss Clegg says so.

Ma'am...

...l'll be forever grateful.

Now, I'll unpack my gear.

Agatha, have you gone crazy?

He says he's a nan

wanting to do an honest day's work.

And he'll do it. I can promise you that.

Hey, you men on that last wagon,

keep up that slack.

Keep it up.

Get that team moving.

Keep them moving there.

Don't let those limes sag.

Keep them up. Keep them up.

Keep those teams moving.

Keep them moving.

Don't let those limes sag.

You, on that middle team,

keep them moving.

AGGIE: Get in there.

MAN: Over here, Pa.

AGGIE:

Get in there.

Get in there. Get in there, mule.

(CHUCKLING)

I'm just overwhelmed by all this attention,

Miss Prescott.

I want to confess...

...I have lied about

why I wanted to work for you.

I know.

The real reason is, of course,

that I'm in love with you.

No.

It's the truth.

From the first moment I saw you, I've

known that I couldn't live without you.

Well, I'd hate to be the cause

of your death, Mr. Van Valen.

I don't speak lightly. Miss Prescott.

I'm prepared to assume

the responsibilities of a faithful husband.

Oh, and are you ready to assume

the responsibilities...

...of my property too, Mr. Van Valen?

Really?

What kind of property?

Gold, Mr. Van Valen.

Gold by the ton, from what I understand.

Bright. yellow, shiny gold.

Why, I had no idea.

I'm sure you hadn't.

Miss Prescott. I really mean...

Here comes Agatha.

If you must propose to somebody...

...I suggest you get on your knees to her.

Besides. she has beautiful hair.

Look at then.

Think they was getting ready

to bury somebody.

Ain't we worn down enough as it is?

Well, let's wake them up.

Listen, everybody.

(SINGING)

That's the spirit! That's the way to feel!

(YELLS)

Oh, hiya, Mr. Morgan!

Aggie. For lunch.

Thanks. Nice nest of fish.

LILITH:

What is it, Mr. Morgan?

Miss Prescott, I've been thinking.

Oh?

Wet or dry. you're the handsomest woman

I ever did see.

Spirit and a fine, sturdy body.

It's a noble combination, Miss Prescott.

Why, for you, childbearing would

come as easy as rolling off a log.

Well, I think I'd rather roll off a log.

Mr. Morgan.

Ma'am, I'm telling you,

you got the build for it.

I want you for my wife.

I've got a cattle ranch

just below the Merced.

I'll be settling down

there, fit and proper.

I'm sure you're very fit and proper,

Mr. Morgan.

Well, then...

...you just couldn't do no better

than marrying me.

Why, we'd have ourselves a fine family

in no time at all.

I believe that.

I'm sorry, Mr. Morgan...

...but I can't accept your proposal.

Why not?

Well, a woman likes to hear something

a little more inviting.

Well, ain't that what I've been doing?

Inviting you?

Inviting you to share my life,

Miss Prescott.

I'm sorry, Mr. Morgan.

It's something else, ain't it?

Must be something else nagging at you.

Well...

...I don't aim to let it stop me,

Miss Prescott.

You can count on that.

AGGIE:

What did he want?

Children.

Children?

Well, I'll be...

Why didn't he come shopping

at the right store?

(MAN SPEAKING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE)

I'll take a look.

Well.

Now, gentlemen, are we pikers?

I'm gonna see

and I'm gonna raise this fine pistol...

...London-made and loaded for bear.

MAN:

I'll take part of that bet.

I told you I wouldn't stand

for you fleecing any...

Cheyennes.

There's too many to fight.

We'll have to run for it.

You can't outrun then with wagons.

The minute you get moving,

cut your teams loose.

Have you gone crazy?

Go on, get moving.

Chances are they want our stock

more than us.

Now, you're a gambler. ain't you?

All right. let's get moving.

(YELLING)

Keep them closed up there.

I don't know how to unhook them.

(YELLS)

Cleve, watch out!

Cleve!

(SCREAMS)

Joe, pick me up.

We'll be moving at daybreak.

I'll take a few men,

see if we can find him.

Give him a decent, Christian burial.

Someone's coming! Someone's coning!

Well, I can let you have

this rig for a dollar a day

and I'll

give you a good team.

Pick it up in the morning.

That'll be fine.

Could you tell me the way

to the Brooks claim?

Well, the claims are down by the river.

Which road should I take?

Only one road. Along the river.

Thank you.

Sure welcome.

We're looking for a Mr. Huggins.

You found him.

This is Miss Lilith Prescott.

I figured.

They told me you was a real looker.

Yup. It's all here for you.

Just the way Mr. Brooks staked it out.

Must've had 20 men working on it.

Well, where are they now?

Who's digging the gold?

Gold? I ain't never seen a better grade

since I come here with Millie.

It was just a pocket, though.

The whole shebang, nothing but a pocket.

Oh, we cleared 4200

before it played out.

Now, about that 4200...

Mr. Brooks, he spent three

before his heart give out.

I put up 600 for a brass-handled casket.

I figure the rest you owe me

for sitting on your claim.

Oh, miss, I mean. that's

only fair, ain't it?

I mean, wouldn't you...?

Funny pair, all right.

MAN: How about you boys?

Come and see the brand-mew attraction.

It's exciting and sensational.

Step right in. gentlemen.

(SINGING)

(MEN LAUGHING)

Miss Prescott?

Hello, Mr. Morgan.

I'd invite you in, but

it's a little cramped.

This is no life for a fine woman like you.

I heard your mine was played out.

But where's your fancy friend?

Cleve?

Last I heard, he was in Hangtown.

You mean that no-good went off

and left you?

He went off and left me.

But I don't agree that he's no good.

Cleve is Cleve, that's all.

You're a perplexing woman,

Miss Prescott.

When a skunk needs killing...

...well, it ain't enough just to say

a skunk's a skunk.

Mr. Morgan...

...all my life I've wanted

to marry a rich husband.

Can I blame Cleve for wanting

to marry a rich wife?

Both of us may have been born

for the poorhouse...

...but we're not the kind to like it.

Do you believe all this you've been saying,

or is it just words?

Now, tell me the truth.

The truth is...

...Cleve and I couldn't live alone

just on love.

Not for five minutes.

Then you've answered the question I've

been asking for better than 2000 miles.

I got the biggest ranch you ever did see.

You can't ride across it in a day.

That land's gonna mean money

sooner than you think.

You want a rich husband...

...you're looking at him.

There ain't a blessed thing you have to do

except mind the kids.

I'm sorry.

Not now.

Not ever.

What a waste.

Someone put together like you.

Aggie.

Those who struck it rich wanted

all the pleasures that money could buy.

And there were plenty to sell to them.

Even the Sacramento riverboats

took on luxury goods.

(LILITH SINGING

"HOME lN THE MEADOW")

I'll see it.

It's up to you.

Betting?

What's the matter with you?

I'm checking out.

Checking out?

MAN:

What's the matter with him?

Lily, I got to talk to you.

I found myself throwing in

a winning hand.

Well, I just never thought

I'd do that for any girl.

Lily.

How'd you like to hook up

with a no-good gambler?

Oh, hon, we are on our way.

I got $1200 right here.

What'll we do. open a gambling house?

No.

A married man should spend

his evenings at home.

Then we'll open a music hall

in San Francisco.

No.

I can still sing and dance.

No. A married woman should

spend her evenings at home.

But we can't sit at home on $1,200 for...

Lily.

Have you seen San Francisco?

It's ugly, and it's small,

and it's full of fleas.

And it burns down

about every five minutes...

...but each time they keep on rebuilding it

a little bigger and better than before.

It's alive and kicking

and nothing can stop it.

And it makes you

wanna build something too.

A railroad.

A steamship lime.

Something to help the baby grow.

Cleve, on $1,200?

We could start out

with a wagon or a rowboat.

With the help of the devil,

I'll bet we make it.

Young America was not only

a union of East and West.

There were North and South too.

And between them,

the bonds were weakening.

Mr. Lincoln, now retired

from Congress and practicing law...

...realized that the South would fight...

...to mold the mew and

uncommitted territories to its own image.

Still two years from the presidency...

...he pleaded that the free West

be allowed to remain free...

...and warmed of the hazards

of a house divided against itself.

But the South,

seeing its power and influence wane...

...struggled against the inevitable

in dozens of Western towns.

And slowly, the bitter seeds of civil war

took root.

(HUMMING)

PETERSON:

Howdy, Ms. Rawlings.

Whoa, Rosebud, whoa.

Say. Mr. Peterson.

what's that suit you got on?

Uniform, Mrs. Rawlings. A uniform.

Our militia company was sworn in...

...and I'm Corporal Peterson now,

Ohio Volunteers.

You won't be seeing me for a spell.

Hey, I got a letter for you.

from way out in California.

It must be from my sister, Lilith.

"Dear Eve..."

Mr. Peterson, could you wait a minute?

I wanna answer this right away.

Zeb?

Zeb, come on down here.

PETERSON: Well, we was hoping

that Zeb might be going with us.

His pa went when the first bugle blew.

Ain't one enough?

Hi. corporal.

Jeremiah, get Mr. Peterson

some buttermilk.

Buttermilk.

It's from your aunt Lilith.

She says there ain't no

war out in California

and they don't expect

there'll be one.

"Business is brisk.

Many opportunities

for an energetic young man."

There's talk of building a railroad east.

"Cleve has hopes of getting in

on the ground floor.

We would welcome Zeb

if he wants to come."

Ma, did you write her about me?

Not exactly.

Now, did you?

I told her you didn't like farming

any better than your pa did.

Ma, you got the wrong idea

about this war.

It ain't gonna be so bad, is it, corporal?

You know Pa's having the time of his life.

Now, Ms. Rawlings,

I got it from the captain himself...

...that we ain't gonna be gone

no time at all.

Pa left it up to you whether I go or not.

But you know what he really felt.

Ms. Rawlings, there ain't much glory

in tromping behind a plow.

EVE: Reckon there's no hurry

in answering this letter.

Thank you for waiting.

You mean I can go?

Oh, there'll be things to do.

Ma...

Gotta get your underwear washed

and your socks darned.

Do they give you one of then suits?

One of then uniforms?

I reckon.

Might not give you no shirts, though.

Take that one off, I'll wash it for you.

I got the others washed.

They aren't ironed yet.

Mother, I...

Why'd you call me that?

It's always been "Ma" before.

I don't know.

All of a sudden...

...Ma didn't seen enough somehow.

(YELLS)

Hey, cowpoke!

(DOG BARKING)

ZEB:

Go on back, dog!

Go on!

What could I do, Pa?

He's Linus' boy.

Always was more Linus' blood.

I guess that's why I love him so much.

But you've gotta help me pray, Pa.

Help me pray.

(CANNONS FIRING)

MAN 1:

Ohio.

Battery B, Ohio!

Let's go!

MAN 2: On the double, come on!

MAN 3:

Anybody here from the 12th Michigan?

MAN 4:

Thirty-sixth lndiana.

Evening of April 6th, 1862.

The guns that had roared all day

fell silent...

...around a little church

called the Shiloh Meeting House.

Many a man had met his God

that Sunday...

...but not in church.

You wasted your time, men. He's dead.

But. doc, this here is Captain Rawlings.

Captain Linus Rawlings.

Take him out.

Keep moving, men.

Why can't you look where you're going?

I'm sorry, soldier.

Watch it.

Saw. Brandy.

Chloroform.

Get it all down. Come on, all of it.

Come on. we're just in the way here.

It had been the bloodiest day

of the war on the Western front.

In the morning, it had looked like

a Confederate victory, but by nightfall...

...no man cared to use

the words "win" or "lose."

After Shiloh...

...the South never smiled.

You tasted that water yet?

No.

Well, try it.

Tastes funny, huh?

Yeah.

I seen it before sundown. It was pink.

Pinker than sassafras tea.

You mean...?

It don't seen fitting a nan should have

to drink water like that.

Don't seen fitting a man should have

to do any of the things we've dome today.

Did you kill anybody?

I don't think so.

I got knocked dizzy right off.

And when I come to, found my rifle,

it was busted.

And then some more soldiers come along

and tried to stick me in the arm.

All the rest is nixed up after that.

Well, I ain't killed nobody, neither.

And I don't want to.

Hey, where you from?

Ohio.

This fool war started in the East.

What's us Westerners doing in it?

I don't rightly know anymore.

It ain't quite what I expected.

There ain't much glory looking at a man

with his guts hanging out.

Where are you from?

Texas.

Say...

You ain't a Reb, are you?

Well, I was this morning.

Tonight, I ain't so sure.

Seems like I ought to be shooting you.

Well, you got anything to shoot with?

No.

All I got's this bayonet.

I got a pistol.

I took it off a dead officer.

Hey, why don't we

skedaddle out of here?

You mean desert?

I mean. why don't...?

Just leave this here war

to the folks who'd want it.

They say there ain't no war

out in California.

MAN:

Get that battery over here.

Stragglers, join your regiment.

Stragglers. Hey, you!

I'm planning to move Rousseau's brigade

into this area.

Hidden battery, placed well before dawn.

Do you approve?

I'll approve any dispositions

you wanna make.

If you hadn't held the flank today,

we'd have been whipped for fair.

Sherman. let's sit down a minute.

There's something I wanna say to you.

Lantern.

GRANT:

You may find yourself in command here.

SHERMAN:

Why?

I've seen some of the dispatches the

newspaper correspondents have filed today.

They're saying

I was taken by surprise this morning.

You weren't taken by surprise.

I was.

GRANT:

No matter.

They're saying...

...I was drunk again last night.

SHERMAN:

Were you?

No.

But you can't fight front and rear.

Win or lose, tomorrow...

...I intend to resign.

SHERMAN:

Because of the newspapers?

Because of a general

lack of confidence in me.

Oh, don't you think

I've ever felt like that?

A month ago they were saying

I was crazy. Insane.

Now they're calling me a hero.

A hero or crazy, I'm the same man.

It doesn't matter what the people think.

It's what you think, Grant.

You mean that's Grant?

I reckon.

General Grant.

You know this war's gonna be won

in the West, and how to win it.

Everything you've dome proves it.

And I say that a nan has the right

to resign only if he's wrong.

Not if he's right.

I guess I never thought of it that way.

I'll think it over.

SHERMAN:

What is there to think about?

The Army's better off with you

than without you. That's the test.

All right.

Thanks.

There's a lot to do

before morning, Sherman.

ZEB:

What are you doing?

(GUNSHOT)

(CHATTERING AND HOOVES PATTERING)

Why did you make me do that?

MAN:

Fire.

Hey, Zeb!

Didn't you get my letter?

I wrote more than four months ago.

She never was...

...quite the same

after she got the mews about Pa.

I don't think she minded going.

Zeb, except...

...she wanted to see you again.

Of course Pa ain't really there.

I put up a stone anyway.

Well...

...better be on my way.

Way? Where?

I meed you, Zeb.

Only one thing brought me back.

She's...

Well, this farm is half yours.

I was thinking we'd finally clear away that

patch of woods down by the river and...

You're twice the farmer I an.

You don't meed me.

Farm's all yours. It's only fair.

Sure don't feel right about this.

What are you gonna do?

I haven't mustered out yet.

I can still transfer to the regulars.

Cavalry, maybe. Go west.

Have to fight Indians?

You sure are hard to make out. Zeb.

Now, what do you wanna do that for?

Do you like fighting?

You remember the story Pa used to tell us

about fighting that grizzly bear?

Yeah.

And I asked him, I said.

"Well. why'd you get in such a fix?

Do you like fighting grizzlies?"

He said:

(IMITATING RAWLINGS)

"Well. uh. not especially. Uh...

I just wanted to go somewhere

and the bear was there first."

(IN NORMAL VOICE)

Well, I...

I guess I just wanna go somewhere too.

So long.

So long, Zeb.

Even while North and South

were being torn apart...

...East and West had been

drawn together by the Pony Express...

...the most daring mail route in history.

Eighty riders were in the saddle at all

times, night and day, in all weather.

Half of them riding east,

half riding west...

...between Missouri and Sacramento...

...carrying mail across country

in days instead of months.

Unarmed, they rode to save weight.

Five dollars a letter, the mail cost,

and on thin paper too.

It was courage, skill and speed...

...against hostile Indians, bandits,

hell and occasional high water.

Even as they rode,

men were already building...

...a faster message carrier across

the country: the Overland Telegraph.

And the Indians found

a mew amusement...

...listening to the level tune

of the singing wires.

But far less amusing to the Indians...

...was the coming of the steel roadway

of the iron horse.

The surveyors' route lay through immense

natural barriers, the Rocky Mountains...

...and the equally discouraging

High Sierras.

But range upon range could never stop

the titanic contest...

...between two corporate giants

racing to put down...

...the greatest mileage of track

before they met.

The Central Pacific eastward

from Sacramento through the Sierras.

And the Union Pacific,

forging westward across the plains...

...with the Rockies still to come.

The prize in the race was free land,

vast parcels for every mile of track laid.

Land that would one day

be worth millions.

MAN 1:

Hold it.

Set it down.

Workers, up.

MAN 2:

Where'd you find them?

MAN 3:

About a mile back yonder.

MAN 4: That's Johnny Hormatz.

MAN 5: That's Jack Perkin.

KING:

What the hell is this? A picnic?

Well, the Indians got

a couple of our men...

Mister, you were

the foreman here.

Now you're a track-layer.

Now get back to work. all of you!

Move it!

Fast!

You.

Yes, sir.

You're the foreman

till I can find somebody better.

Yes, sir.

Get then at it.

Wait a minute.

Move it!

Your name Jethro Stuart?

MAN:

All right. get at it.

Well, Mr. Jethro Stuart, you're hired

to hunt buffalo to feed these men...

...not to stop their work.

Why'd you bring these bodies here?

They're railroaders. I thought somebody

in the railroad night be interested.

I'm the railroad and I'm not interested.

You should've buried them,

then tracked down the Indians who did it.

Well, Mr. King, like you said.

I was hired to hunt...

...not to dig graves or fight Indians.

Those fellas are mostly old soldiers.

You wouldn't think a couple

dead men bother them much.

I don't want anything in their thick skulls

but their work. Do you understand?

Now, get rid of those bodies.

Start tracking those Indians.

You keep forgetting, Mr. King,

my job's buffalo.

It was buffalo.

Go to the paymaster and draw your time.

Well, now. that foreman fella,

you didn't fire him.

You just took him down a peg

because you needed him.

Who's gonna shoot buffalo? You?

(PIANO PLAYING)

(CHATTERING)

What the devil is that?

Milk.

Milk?

The Army must've changed

since I was in it.

Just rode in. I'm hungry.

You are. huh?

But you'd rather watch them than eat.

Is that it?

That's it.

Well, I wish you were as eager

to protect this railroad.

Did you get any word about those two men

who were killed today?

I tracked the Arapahos

and talked to the chief.

Those men were a mile off

the right-of-way...

...where they had no business,

drunk and chasing squaws.

As much their fault as

it was the Indians'.

Is that a fact?

Well, soldier boy, your job is to fight

Indians, not to agree with then.

Mr. King, there were 200 Arapahos

and I had 20 men.

Now, to me...

...agreeing seemed wiser than fighting.

To you, huh?

Well, you know, I might just send off

a wire to the colonel.

He may not agree.

I already reported. He does agree.

(BOTH SPEAKING

IN NATIVE LANGUAGE)

Acknowledged and understood. Sergeant.

Trouble. sir?

I don't know.

STUART:

Hey, lieutenant.

I got a message:

Indians are up to something.

You know anything about it?

Chief says railroad busted the agreement.

Changed the route. come snack

through Arapaho hunting grounds.

You sure the chief's right?

Plenty sure.

They're getting the war paint ready.

Can you stand there and tell me...

...that one little change is gonna cost

the Arapahos one buffalo.

Or even one jackrabbit?

Mr. King.

They can be made to see it differently.

Who's hurting then?

What's a railroad anyway?

Two tracks and a whistle.

It's not the tracks they're afraid of.

It's what the tracks bring.

The buffalo hunters slaughtering off

their herds.

And then the settlers coning in.

And when will that be?

Twenty, 30 years, maybe?

By then. we'll all be dead.

Right now we're just crossing the land.

That's all. Land that's safe

to the Arapahos for our lifetime.

Now, you go talk to then.

Smoke a peace pipe with then.

Do anything they want.

Just get them to make a mew agreement.

That's your job. isn't it?

Keeping the peace?

I'll keep the peace. Mr. King...

...but you keep your promise.

Hear your name's Rawlings,

you're from Ohio.

Your pa's name couldn't be

Linus Rawlings, could it?

Could be.

Knew him.

Jethro Stuart.

He used to speak of you.

Used to?

Pa was killed at Shiloh.

Sit down, Mr. Stuart.

Well, better than dying behind a plow.

I tried it. Settled down for a year once.

Took 10 years off my life.

Your ma...

She must've been something real special

getting old Linus to stay put.

She was, Mr. Stuart. Very special.

Old Linus.

Two years running once.

Your pa and me trapped together.

Up along the Waumakee.

Got so many beaver,

we had to tie them tail-to-tail...

...just to drag them down the mountain.

Over a mile long it was,

that lime of beaver pelts.

Mr. Stuart, my father could take the truth

and stretch it about six ways.

You sound just like him.

I'll take it you meant that kindly.

Well, I'd think twice

before I called you a liar.

Tell me something.

talking about liars.

Why would a son of old Linus

get mixed up with a man like Mike King?

I know what you mean.

But Mike King isn't the railroad.

Oh?

I don't think he knows that.

He's changing the route back, is he?

No.

I know.

But he'd do anything

to gain a day on the Central Pacific.

He's not a fool. He doesn't want a war,

and neither do the Arapahos.

I think I could get then to agree

to this change in route...

...if I sit down and talk with then

for a while.

How you gonna get them to do it?

That's just it.

I meed somebody that knows

the language and who they trust.

You wouldn't happen to know someone

like that, would you, Mr. Stuart?

Your pa could set a trap

like no nan I ever come across.

Just coax then on and, ban.

(SPEAKING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE)

STUART: You'd better do something

so he'll know you're pledging your word.

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

(GROANS)

That blame whistle's like the crack of doom

for all that's natural.

My ma felt a man ought to

make his scratch on the land.

Leave it a little different

than when he come.

Anyway, thanks for fixing things

with the chief.

Me? I fixed nothing.

You put the words to my mouth

but that won't make then come true.

Jethro, I said what I had to

to keep the peace.

I know there's a risk.

Risk?

Maybe you don't understand.

You pledged your word back there.

Not mime, not the Army's,

not the railroad's.

It's your word told then

they'd keep their hunting grounds.

I think they will.

I think you got your neck stuck out...

...like a prairie chicken waiting for

one side or the other to chop it off.

Your pa and me got kicked out

of one territory after another...

...with people pouring in,

killing off game, putting up towns.

It ain't gonna stop.

Your treaty's gonna get broke and

I don't wanna be around to see it happen.

Look me up when you get your bellyful.

Where you going?

Heading back to the mountains.

A high lonesome

where there ain't no people at all yet.

So long.

By now, the Central Pacific had broken

through the wall of the high Sierras...

...and was straining eastward

across the flatland's of Nevada.

While the Union Pacific, thanks to

its long peace with the Indians...

...was able to keep up pressure

just as avidly in the opposite direction.

The competition was exciting,

but also costly...

...and both companies were itching

to earn money from tracks already laid.

(MAN SPEAKING IN FRENCH)

(CHATTERING)

MAN: Did the horses ride all right, Jake?

No better than I did.

We'll have to rest them a day before we can

start hunting rabbits, much less buffalo.

MAN:

Just get them to water right away.

You say no buffalo hunter come.

White man, liar.

We scout for you no more.

Not in our lifetime. you said.

And there they are.

The buffalo slaughterers and the settlers.

All right. it's sooner than I figured.

But the railroad's broke.

They meed money to keep moving on.

No people, no money.

No money, no railroad.

It's as simple as that.

What about the Arapahos?

Just take a look at those people.

Half of them straight from Europe.

They'll have a rough time.

but they'll make it.

And do you wanna know

why they'll make it?

Because they're willing

to change their ways.

Arapahos will have to change too.

If they don't, they're finished.

I know they have to

and someday the land will be taken over...

...by these farmers

with their towns and their cattle.

But not like this.

They don't have to be double-crossed,

and I don't have to be a part of it.

You don't, lieutenant?

Well, aren't you forgetting that uniform?

That's right, Mr. King, I'm forgetting it.

If the Army hasn't got any authority

out here. I'm resigning. And now.

I don't see how that's

gonna help the Arapahos.

Nothing will help then.

But nothing's gonna stop them.

(GUNSHOTS)

ZEB:

Indian attack!

Indian attack! Take cover!

Take a good look.

You wanted a war and you got one.

I hope you're the first nan killed in it.

Turn those wagons over!

ZEB: Shoot for the lead horses.

Pick off the chief.

Rawlings. try that.

MAN:

The Indians are stampeding the buffalo.

Dirty skunks. Come on.

(GUNSHOTS)

I told you there'd be no war.

Look at then.

They've quit.

They'll be back.

They just sent a bunch of animals to kill

an animal they call the "iron horse."

Well, it's still standing, isn't it?

And nothing's gonna stop it.

(CHILD CRYING)

You think you can live with that?

I can live with it, or I can die with it.

Just listen.

You can live with that?

That?

That ain't crying.

That's just mew life going on.

MAN: Pick up this woman and put the rest

of the injured in the tent house.

Hey, Merv...

KING: The rest of you. back to work.

We got a railroad to build.

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

(HORSE WHINNIES)

Well...

Looks like you finally got your bellyful.

Hello, Jethro.

Appears you're doing well.

Can't complain.

Creek's loaded with beavers,

fighting their way into the trap.

No white men looking

over my shoulder...

...and the Indians are plumb cordial.

Toss your stuff in there.

Plenty of room for two.

Thanks.

You'll be bunking yonder.

Take your bearings now

so you can find it when you meed it.

If you don't like my snoring,

you can build your own cabin.

I'll furnish the ax.

Thanks. I'm just passing through.

Through to where?

Anywhere you go is like

where you've been.

Ain't you lost enough tail feathers

back there?

I've been plucked some.

But that's what I like about this country.

There's always greener grass

over the next hill.

Not no more.

Not since that damn railroad come.

All the grass is being staked out now.

with a lock on it.

Maybe I'll just have to climb

a little higher hill to find it.

How about coning along?

You crazy?

Like the Indians say, "These rocks and

trees around here feel no call to move."

Why should I?

Guess I'm not an Indian. Jethro.

But I'm sure not a rock nor a tree.

Man belongs his own kind,

like him or not.

The coming of railroads brought changes

in the land through which they passed.

Now immense herds of cattle were driven

hundreds of miles to meet the limes...

...bound for markets in the East.

Fences went up, cattle

trails were barred...

...and a long and bloody wrangle began

between cattlemen and homesteaders.

The law was in the hands of whoever

could shoot fast and straight...

...except where there was somebody

determined to stand for law.

Others might look on sheep and a shepherd

as a pastoral scene.

(GUNSHOT)

Not the cattleman.

To him, sheep destroyed grass,

and grass came dear.

And if a man's life were held cheaper

than grass...

...it was considered a casualty of war,

not a crime.

And, in all this, the man with the star

was only one against many.

But time was running out

for the reckless ones...

...the desperadoes,

the gallop-and-gunshot boys...

...as more and more citizens demanded

respect for the law...

...and showed themselves ready to fight

to uphold it.

And the raw mew towns that sprung up

in the West began to dream...

...of becoming as refined as that one-time

hooligan city by the Golden Gate.

San Francisco was now respectable.

So sophisticated, in fact,

it even had mansions up for auction.

MAN:

Two thousand dollars.

Two thousand dollars.

Is that your last bid?

Ladies and gentlemen. this trophy

is solid gold and fully inscribed.

"Mr. Cleve Van Valen, president.

San Francisco-Kansas City Railroad."

It's a treasure he held dear to his heart.

Do I hear $3000

for this priceless possession?

Priceless, my foot.

We used it for a doorstop.

Twenty-five hundred.

Twenty-five hundred dollars.

Twenty-five hundred dollars.

Twenty-five hundred? Sold $2500.

It's a sad day, Lilith.

Sad?

We made and spent

three fortunes together.

What's so sad about that?

And if he'd lived a little longer,

we would've made and spent another.

I beg your pardon, Mrs. Van Valen.

What?

The chair, it's been sold. I'm sorry.

Well then. take it.

Quit apologizing and take it.

Thank you, madam.

If there'd been some other way

to pay off the debts...

It doesn't matter.

I've got two things

no one can ever take from me:

This and my land in Arizona.

Lilith, I don't want to dash any hopes...

...but that ranch is nearly worthless.

Well, it's there, isn't it?

Yes. but most of the cattle

have been sold off or stolen.

I'll get cattle.

You'll meed someone to work it.

Someone to manage it for you.

I'll get that too.

Who?

My nephew.

He's a marshal out there somewhere.

Now, Lilith. at your age,

it might be kind of rough.

Rough?

My ma and pa were killed

going down the river just looking for land.

I guess I got a little of that

Prescott blood in me after all.

Pa?

Is Aunt Lilith's house on Nob Hill

as high as that?

I don't know. son.

On our way home. you ask your aunt Lilith.

She'll tell you.

Homey? Do you think you'll know her?

What?

You aunt Lilith.

Do you think you'll recognize her?

Sure.

Zeb? What's the matter?

Nothing.

Come on.

Thank you.

Ma'am, are you our great-aunt Lilith?

If you're Zeb's children, I an.

Lilith.

Zeb.

Zeb Rawlings.

Oh, goodness.

I swore up and down I wasn't gonna cry.

You're just as pretty as Ma said you was.

I'd like you to meet my wife, Julie.

Pleased to meet you.

I'm pleased to meet you too.

I just can't tell you how pleased.

This here's Eve. underneath all the jam.

Come on and meet San now.

Sam?

San's our horse.

He could pull two wagons if he wanted.

Oh, well, if you'll excuse me,

I have my orders to meet San.

Come on.

Oh, just a minute now, boys.

But he's on the other side.

LINUS: Come on.

PRESCOTT: Okay.

LINUS: Come on.

LILITH: Just a minute.

I think this means a whole lot to her.

You have no idea how much

it means to me...

...to be able to settle down

to a life of peace and quiet.

I'll get the luggage.

(MAN CACKLING)

MAN:

Hello, boys.

Jake.

Ton.

Pablo.

Zeb. Let's go.

Now, marshal, don't tell me you come

all the way to Gold City just to meet me?

I hardly expected it.

And the beautiful, Mrs. Rawlings?

What a pleasure.

I envy you, marshal.

A well-favored, bright-eyed wife...

...just as dazzling as that sun up there.

Makes you almost thankful, don't it?

It makes a person wanna live.

(SPEAKS IN SPANISH)

That's Charlie Gant.

I thought you said he was in Montana.

Zeb?

I'm just gonna get the luggage, that's all.

See to the rooms, will you, Julie?

Prescott. take care of the horses.

Yes, sir.

Linus, help your mother.

Yes, sir.

Anything wrong, Julie?

No. No. nothing.

Come on. Eve.

Lou.

Zeb.

Got a minute?

Of course I got a minute.

Here.

MAN: Now, I urge you,

most respectfully to peruse the...

Cigar?

No, thanks.

Well, what can I do for you?

Go ahead, name it.

I saw Gant get off the train this morning.

There were three men waiting for him.

That's why you're here, huh?

That's it.

Look. there ain't a thing we can do...

...to keep Charlie Gant from going

where he wants to in this territory.

I know. I know what he was...

...but that's over now.

It was over the day his brother got...

Should've killed then both

that day, but...

Well, you didn't.

There ain't a thing I can do about it now.

What's he doing here, Lou?

Ain't you even curious?

Well, what do you want me to do?

Run him out of town at the point of a gun?

Do you think we still put the law

inside a holster here?

Look over there, Zeb. There's the law.

With all its writs and decrees and...

We abide by that circuit judge now.

How many get killed meantime?

Nobody's got killed. Nobody's going to.

Doc Holliday, the Clantons,

the Youngers...

They're all gone now.

Charlie Gant ain't gone.

You get me a warrant. I'll get you Gant.

Lou? They want three guards in the wagon

with the gold shipment tomorrow.

Three?

This is a big one. Over $100,000 worth.

I'll take Clayton and Sims with me,

all right?

Well?

Well what?

Doesn't that mean anything to you?

It means we put on a three-nan guard.

To the train.

What happens then?

You know there's gold going out here

every month or so.

There hasn't been a train robbery

since Jesse James was killed.

MAN: Now, if the councilors

wish to have a conference, we'll have one.

Zeb.

I don't want any trouble here now.

We've been friends a long time.

As a friend...

...I'd like you to leave town.

Boys, get back from there.

Look down there. son.

Do you know how deep that shaft is?

Uh-uh.

That's a thousand foot deep.

Do you know how deep

a thousand foot is?

Uh-uh.

Well, if you had 200 brothers,

all standing on your shoulders...

...you wouldn't be able to see

over the top. I'd be squished.

Come on.

I'll show you boys the donkey engine.

You boys go ahead.

I'll be along in a minute.

I hear you've been talking

to the local marshal about me.

Would you call that friendly?

I never considered us exactly friendly.

I don't like you, marshal.

I don't like what you and your kind

are doing to this country.

Now, I don't want any trouble.

But you wanna put things on the old basis,

just you and me?

That's fine.

I'm not gonna

get in a fight with you, Gant.

It's peace you want. huh, marshal?

Peace?

There's only one kind I know of.

That's the kind my brother's got.

What happened to your brother

didn't teach you very much, did it?

Easy, marshal.

Floyd never made mistakes...

...except the one time he trusted you.

And you're the one that got away.

One of these days, I'm likely

to pay you Rawlingses a little visit.

(IMITATES GUNSHOTS)

(GANT CACKLING)

MAN 1:

Come on. move along.

Get those gold boxes up there.

MAN 2:

That's a lot of gold.

MAN 1:

Come on. keep moving, boys.

Zeb?

Lou Ramsey's here.

Lou.

I warmed you, Zeb.

What is it?

Gant came to see me last night.

Said you tried to start

some trouble with him.

You believe him?

I'm telling you, Zeb, you take your

trouble to your own territory.

I don't want any more of it here.

There won't be any more trouble. Lou.

Gant's gone.

Rode out of here early this morning.

With who?

ZEB:

His gang.

They should be somewhere

between here and Kingman...

...waiting on that train.

You don't fool me for a minute, Zeb.

You are not looking for a robbery,

you're looking for Gant.

You still carry lead where he shot you.

That was Texas.

And Oklahoma, where you killed Floyd.

And now this.

I'm sorry, Julie...

...but I don't want my office

to be any part of this.

Zeb?

The boys have got the team hitched.

ZEB:

I know.

It's almost time to go.

Zeb?

Julie.

No one's asking you to face Gant.

No one's making you.

We could ride out of here right now.

We could forget it.

Maybe there's

something you haven't told me.

Is there. Zeb?

I'm asking you not to go.

Please.

Don't go.

Sorry, Julie.

I guess there's nothing more pigheaded

in a nan than his sense of honor.

They're all the same, every one of then.

You take my Cleve now.

Never could turn down a poker game.

Felt duty-bound to go.

Three nights running sometimes,

but he wouldn't quit...

...not if his life depended on it. He...

I guess it isn't very funny.

PRESCOTT:

Ma?

Where's Pa?

LILITH: Out. That's where he is.

What's the matter with Mon?

Nothing's the matter.

Come on. now, in the other room.

What's the matter?

LILITH: Come on, we're gonna play.

That's a good girl. That's better.

LINUS: What's the matter with Mama?

Nothing's the matter.

Do you know any games?

PRESCOTT: We know tag.

LINUS: Musical chairs.

Ugh. Tag.

I know hide-and-seek.

Well, do you know how to play poker?

Poker?

Poker?

You're in luck. Sit down right there.

Now, come on, sit down. That's it.

But we don't know how to play poker.

Well, it's time you learned.

First, we'll start off

with a little five-card stud.

I'll take that rifle, Zeb.

Your pistol too.

Sorry, Lou.

I just can't oblige.

Thought the law wouldn't let you

use that anymore.

I'll use it if I have to.

I'm going out of here. Lou,

and I'm taking this with me.

To kill Gant.

That's what you think, isn't it?

It's something personal

between him and me.

Well, Lou. it could be...

...if I settle down with my family

and wait for him to come.

And he'll come

if I don't stop him here and now.

I'm gonna catch Gant red-handed,

breaking the law...

...and then I'm gonna use the law

to put him away once and for all.

The law, Lou.

I'm gonna use the law...

...but I haven't got much chance

without your help.

How many men in the caboose?

Just one brakeman.

Is he armed?

No, never has been.

I'll be in the express car.

Thanks, Lou.

Marshal?

There's some riders up ahead.

ZEB:

I'll take a look.

Engineer. there's a barricade ahead!

Open it up, wide open.

Zeb!

Come on. Come on.

GANT: Everyone make it?

Frenchy's horse fell.

I don't think he made it.

Well, let's move.

It's a long way from here to that gold.

There's no danger. Just keep going.

It's Rawlings.

(YELLS)

Back this train up!

And fast!

(GANT CACKLES)

How come we're leaving so early, Pa?

ZEB:

We got a long way to go, son.

Here.

Auntie, when we going to your house?

Your daddy will decide

when we get to your home.

Auntie, can we take San with us?

I think Sam is taking us.

Pa, how much further is it

to Aunt Lilith's ranch?

Well, son, it's around the next bend,

the next bend...

...and the valley beyond.

Oh.

(HUMMING "HOME lN THE MEADOW")

Aunt Lilith. do you know that song?

LINUS: That's our song.

Your song?

I sang that song

long before your pa was ever born.

(SINGING "HOME lN THE MEADOW")

Come on.

Zeb.

The West that was won by its pioneers,

settlers, adventurers is long gone now.

Yet it is theirs forever.

For they left tracks in history that

will never be eroded by wind or rain...

...mever plowed under by tractors,

never buried in the compost of events.

Out of the hard simplicity of their lives,

out of their vitality...

...their hopes and their sorrows...

...grew legends of courage and pride...

...to inspire their children

and their children's children.

From soil enriched by their blood...

...out of their fever

to explore and build...

...came lakes where once

were burning deserts...

...came the goods of the earth,

mimes and wheat fields...

...orchards and great lumber mills...

...all the sinews of a growing country.

Out of their rude settlements,

their trading posts, came cities...

...to rank among the great ones

of the world.

All the heritage of a people

free to dream...

...free to act,

free to mold their own destiny.