Seven Alone (1974) - full transcript

- The sun
shines differently

through these windows.

I can see my life colored
by all that's gone before:

dreams, hopes,

and the orneriest, pig-headed
dreamer of a boy,

my brother John Sager.

Most folks said he
didn't have the sense

God gave a pump handle.

But John knew one thing
about life, that's for sure.

He knew that a heart
without a dream

could be as dark and as lonely
as a house without windows.



Hear the mountain

I hear it call you

How young and small
you and I must seem

But the mountain

was made for climbing,

Let's get the climbing done

We've only begun our dream

Every sunset

We'll leave behind us

I know we'll find us

Closer to the day
when we'll find the home,

That's waiting somewhere

Our home is a dream,
but only a dream away.

- Here chick, chick,
chick, chick, chick.



Here chick, chick, chick,
chick, chick, chick, chick.

Here chick, chick, chick,
chick, chick, chick.

Here chick, chick, chick.

Here chick, chick, chick.

- Now careful, it's hot.

All right, Mama.

- Come on, girls,
It's going on seven.

Catherine?

You've been in that bed long enough.

Oh, I wonder where your
brother is, Matilda.

Should be here with
the milk by now.

You tell him to
hurry, and he dawdles.

John Sager?

Oh, no!

What in heaven's name?

Girls?
What's the matter?

John Sager!

You come back here this
minute, do you hear me?

Here, let me help you.

- You got a lot of good
in you, John Sager.

But sometimes I wonder if
I'm going to live long enough

to see it showing.

Now, I want you to
get on that horse

and push the cows up the grass.

Do you understand me?

Can I go with you, John?
- Only if you keep your mouth shut.

Now, I don't want you boys fooling
around and wasting time!

We've got plenty more
right here for you to do!

Now, go on!

- Nobody around here
can take a joke.

All they think about is
chores and more chores.

Well, I'm sick of it.

I have a mind to run away.

- You don't do much anyway.
Nobody'd miss you.

- Didn't I tell you to
keep your mouth shut?

There's a lot of guys my age
out scouting and trapping.

Boy, wouldn't that be the life?

Nothing to do but scalp
Indians and shoot a buffalo.

I bet you....

Look at that, Francis!

Look at all those wagons,
all of 'em headed West!

- Boy, if
Papa could see that!

- Get off, I'm
gonna go tell him.

Pap told you to
drive these cows.

- I'll go back.

Get off!

You big bully! I'm gonna lick
you good some day!

Papa, Papa!

Wagon train is coming, and
they're all headed west!

- It's the Marcus
Whitman company, Naomi.

They're right on time, just
like they said they'd be.

And to think, we could've
been going with them.

Oh, Henry, not again, please.

There's no need
talking about it.

After all these years
you opposing me,

I don't expect you
to understand me now.

- Let me ride
behind you, Johnny.

- Me too.

There ain't no room.

I know something on you.

- What?

That hard cider
you snuck of Papa's.

Why, that's Billy
Shaw with Dr. Whitman.

- How can you ever
think of traipsing

across 2000 miles of wilderness
with this family, Henry?

We've worked and sacrificed
so hard for this place.

I can't help it, Naomi.

Every man has his dream.

Mama, Mama, look!

Oh, John Sager.

Matilda, would you like
to ride with Uncle Billy?

Huh?

Come on, here we go, hep!

- Hello Uncle Billy!
- Hi darling.

- Hello Uncle Billy.

Howdy, Billy!

- Hi!

Howdy.
Doctor, welcome, welcome!

- Good to see you again.

- One more stunt
like that, John Sager!

Billy, don't tell me that
you and Sally are going to--

- Now hold on, hold on.

You don't think we'd leave without
taking our good neighbors along.

- How are you?
- Hi, Dr. Whitman.

- I'm just riding a little
way with Dr. Whitman.

No, we're going next year.

Naomi, did you hear that?

The Polks, and the Argyles,
and the Mitchells, and the Shaws,

they're all going next year.

- You know, Mrs. Sager, it's
not really as dangerous a trip

as most people think.

Why, more women and children
are going every year.

- The way Dr. Whitman
tells about Oregon Country

and the Willamette Valley, it's
hard for any man to resist.

Can you imagine, Henry, black soil,
hundreds of feet deep,

and thousands of acres of it?

Oh, and flowers the
whole year round.

That's right, I swear.

- I'd love to go out West.

- Me too.

- Doc Whitman, is it
true you know Kit Carson?

- Kit Carson, Jim Bridger,
Fremont, know 'em all.

You see, Dr.Whitman and his wife run
a mission near the end of the Oregon Trail.

Everybody going west stops
over there one time or another.

- Maybe we'll be seeing
you folks next year.

You know, if we Americans
don't get that Oregon Country,

the British will.

Well, so long folks.

Bye-bye, doctor.
- Bye-bye, doctor

Bye, folks.

Billy!
Give my best to Mrs. Whitman.

- Gee, Kit Carson.

You know a man can make a place
for himself out there in Oregon.

Why, he could plow
enough acreage

so that he to become
part of America forever.

Come on, girls.

- Papa, ain't there no way
we can talk Mom into going?

Sometimes I think only the voice of the
Lord could change that woman's mind.

And then sometimes I wonder
if even that'd do it.

The way you keep polishing that
glass, Naomi, morning and night.

You know, someday you're
going to wear it out.

That's what makes
it so pretty, Papa.

I love Mama's windows.

They're my most favorite
thing in our whole house.

When I think about
all the gloomy days,

these windows have brought
me sunshine and happiness.

You know, I remember
this very same pane

in my grandmother's
parlor and her polishing it.

And then it was my mother's.

And now it's mine.

- And we've packed them to
every house we've ever lived in.

You know, sometimes, Naomi,
I wonder what you'd take

if you had to choose between
that window and me.

I love you too, Henry.

We're done, Mama.

All right, girls, off to bed.

- But ain't we gonna
read the Bible?

Are my ears hearing me correct?
Is that you, John Sager?

That's a mighty sudden
change for a boy

who's never been too
interested in the Bible.

- Johnny wants to read the Bible?

Be quiet or I'll
knock your head off.

All right, boys.

Girls, sit down and listen to your
brother before he changes his mind.

Can I read now?

Whatever you say, Johnny.

All right, girls,
now be quiet, listen.

Wives, submit yourselves
unto your own husbands,

for the husbands are the head
of the wives, even the bosses.

And the wives should do what
the husbands tell them to,

wheresoever they
desireth them to go.

That's enough, John Sager.

I know what you're trying to do.

And you're twisting
the scriptures.

It's not going to work.

Don't look at me, Naomi.
I didn't put him up to it.

All right, listen, once and
for all: I'm not going West,

and that's final.

I hate leaving it all
behind not knowing for what.

Don't you worry, honey.

When we get to Oregon,
I'm going to build you

the biggest house you ever saw.

There'll be a parlor window
for your pretty glass,

Lilac tree in the
front yard, nice fence.

Sure ain't nothing
like I expected it to be.

I bet you old Jim Bridger
and Kit Carson

never had to eat trail dust like this.

If I had any sense, I'd run away
and become a scout or a trapper.

Yah, get up there!

Come on, get up!

Come on!

Come on!

Come on!

Get up there!

Get up, come on!

Come on! - Come on!

Come on!

- Get up there!
- Come on!

Come on! - Come on!

- Catherine?

Yes, Daddy.

I want you to go back,
drive the herd,

and send John up
here to help me.

Yes, Daddy.

There you are, honey.

Here, put this around you.

There you go.

John Sager, whatever are you doing?
- It's none of your business.

Papa wants you. He said for me
to drive the herd.

You'll have to go find them.

They're back by that
clump of tress.

You better drive 'em
up near our wagon.

But I can't 'em out the herd.
You'll have to help me.

John!

You better not tell Papa I've
been playing cards, either.

I will if you don't help me.

You do, and I'll
knock your head off.

You hateful, lazy thing.

Whoa, whoa.

Whoa.

All right, John, get on that wheel
and give it all you got.

Naomi!
- Ja?

You got a good, tight
hold on them horses?

Don't worry about me.
You just keep pushing.

I'll handle the team.

All right!

Papa, Papa!

What's wrong?

I can't find our cows!

What?

The big herd's gone.

Billy Pimrose is tied
up in those trees.

And he said the other boys have been
playing cards under an old wagon.

Henry!

Henry, please!

Give the boy a chance
to have his say.

He's had more than
his share of chances.

I'm gonna send you running
if you don't shut up!

That's enough of that!

We've got to get this
wagon out of here!

John, you and Catherine
get by that front wheel.

The rest of you,
get behind and push.

Oh, goodie!

What good are those
little kids gonna do?

You tend to your
business, John Sager.

And push when I tell you!

Get ready, children!

Okay, steady boys, steady.

Push, yah!

Ha ha!

Ha ha!

Push, yah!

Mama!

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

My leg!

My leg!

Mama, Mama, it's Catherine!

Mama, Mama!
- I'm coming!

My leg, my leg.

Catherine?

Catherine, what's happened?

My leg!

John, you go get
Dr. Dutch right quick!

That stupid boy, if not for him,
none of this would have happened,

- all the cows gone, and this
poor child with a broken leg.

Now, Dr. Dutch, you can't
blame John for the broken leg.

And I'm sure he's
sorry about the cows.

Sorry?

He does not even know
the meaning of the word.

Wait till Henry gets back.

He'll be standing to
eat, that boy will.

Are you feeling
better now, Catherine?

Much better, Mama.

That's good, darling.

Now, remember, child,
you must lie still.

You must not try to stand up,

or you will be crippled
all your life.

Henry.

Hello, Papa.

What's happened to Catherine?

The wagon wheel ran
over her leg.

Dr. Dutch says it
snapped clean in two.

Did you find the cows?

Yeah, we found them.

But it cost me $10
to get them back.

$10? Henry, why?

It was a band of Indians
that had them hidden

about five miles from here.

Billy and the others are
bringing them back now.

- Well, I better go to
heat up supper then.

Come on, Dr. Dutch.

Remember, child, lie still.

Yeah, that Dr.
Dutch is a quack.

And I've heard that from
more than one person.

For a boy who's about
to get a licking,

you'd do well to speak of
your elders with more respect.

Ain't you going
to let me explain?

You've done all you
could to earn a licking

ever since we left home.

You've been lazy.

You've been disobedient.

You've played all kinds of
pranks on the other wagons.

And now this business
about the cattle.

You come outside, boy.

And I want you to
drop your britches.

Hey, you, you dirty redskin!

Hey, mister!

Don't shoot.

Ain't nothing funny.

Well, where's your clothes at?

Dirty Indian stole 'em.

What are you doing
out here alone?

I had trouble with my Pa.
I run away from our wagon.

You pulled a snake, did you?
Well, you're big enough in size.

But I'll bet your mind ain't
more than five years old.

Imagine being out here
as long as you have,

and not having sense enough
to stay with your outfit.

Pa licked me, and I'm
too old to be licked.

Well, if I was your Pa, I'd lick the whey
out of you from morning till night,

till you got some
sense in your head.

Now, you come over here
and I'll take you back.

Is that your wagon down there?

Yeah, I guess they're waiting for me.

Now, unless you want
to lose your scalp,

- Indians,
there's Indians coming!

Indians!

Hurry up, children!

Hey, mister, don't you know better

than to get separated
from your main outfit?

I know, but my wife...

No time to explain, we've got
to get out there to meet them.

They'll want to parlay first.

All right.

John, get in the wagon.

Throw me my rifle, quick.

Dr. Dutch, get ready to drive
like the devil, just in case.

Me, drive?
Drive!

Once a doctor, now a drover.

New baby sister, John.

Looks like they're sending their
leader out to do the bargaining.

That's the Indians I paid the $10
to last night to get my cows back.

Are you willing
to give up any more?

Well, we don't have
any food to spare.

And I ain't about to give
up my only saddle horse.

Well, you just stay
here and let me handle it.

What do they want?

Trouble, let's go!

Hee-yah!

Move that wagon out of here!

Ha!

Ha!

Shoot, John, shoot!

It's jammed!

Papa.

Let me take a look, Henry.

That sure was a brave thing
you did there, Mr. Sager.

Everybody here all right?
Thanks to this stranger we are.

Well, don't thank me, thank the boy.

If I hadn't of run into him,
I'd have gone on to the main outfit.

We're still mighty
obliged to you, mister?

Carson, Kit Carson.

You're Kit Carson? Well,
now, ain't this something.

I heard you've been
traveling this trail a lot.

Well, where you folks headed?

The Willamette Valley in Oregon.

If you're going that way, we'd sure
like to have you travel along with us.

Well, I sure do thank
you for the invitation,

but I'm on important
government business.

And I'll see you folks
further on up the trail.

All right.

So long.

Just remember what
I told you, John.

You listen to your Pa.

He's one of the bravest
men I've ever seen.

Who is that man?

Who is this Kit Carson?

I think maybe you better keep
to your medicine, Dr. Dutch.

Come on, let's help
Henry back to his wagon.

Yes, quickly.

John Sager?

What are you doing?

Nothing, Papa, nothing.

Everything's all right.

John?

I don't know about you, boy.

You're lazy, and you're
good for nothing.

All right, go on and do your job.

Go on.

Terrible boy, look what
you cause your father!

Henry, you must let
me drive for you.

I'll be all right.

Then let Naomi watch the team
while I look at your shoulder.

Get in the wagon.

That old quack doctor
has got it in for me,

snooping around, getting
me in trouble with Papa.

Serves you right.

Well, I ain't letting
him get away with it.

I wish every one of you goodnight.

After I go, ha.

Dr. Dutch?

Yeah?

Do I have to stay in this wagon?
Can't I go sit out by the fire?

What?

And take a chance to
break that bone again?

You stay put, my child.

She must not be moved
under any circumstances.

And how is the little
mama and the little baby?

Strong as can be, doctor.

- Gitchy-goo!

Gitchy-gitchy-gitchy-
gitchy-gitchy-goo!

Beautiful baby.

You Henry, is that shoulder of yours
giving you any trouble?

It's worse than it
was yesterday, Doctor.

Are you sure you didn't
leave something in it?

Well, let's take a look.

That terrible boy of yours,
he's trying to kill me.

All right children, isn't there something
you should be doing before going to bed?

Henry, with all your troubles,
I think maybe you should

go back from where you came.

Nothing will ever turn
Henry back, Doctor.

Well, let me see now.

How does it look, Doctor?

I don't know.

For one week old, it
should not be so red.

You should not use
it so much, Henry.

You should let me drive.

No, Papa, we don't
need him, I can drive.

What?

A boy who falls
asleep at the reins?

Hah!

He wants to be a great
scout like Kit Carson.

Him, a scout?

Even the horses laugh!

Him, who runs away,
who loses the cows,

and falls asleep at the reins

Why, you could not even
scout your own backyard, ha!

Well, I must tend
to the other sick.

And remember, Henry, if you
want me, I'm ready to help.

Papa, how can you let
him talk about me like that

and not say nothing?

- Well now, let me see.

If I rightly remember,
you did run away,

and you did fall asleep.

What exactly did
you want me to say?

Come here, son.

John, I know sometimes you
think I'm awful hard on you.

But, son, I'm only doing
it for your own good

because this is a
tough country, boy,

and it's going to take
tough men to make it great.

And you're the kind that
one day's going to do it.

But you gotta learn right
now while you're young

what it means to be
responsible and trustworthy.

That's the biggest part of
growing up and being a man.

Do you understand?

All right, go on
and do your chores.

What is it with
your good man, Naomi?

Ever since supper,
he's been getting worse.

Doctor, please, you've
got to do something.

Billy, help me
get him in the tent.

Be seeing you boys.

It's pretty bad, isn¨t it.

We can only wait.

If it is blood poisoning,
there is nothing I can do.

Goodnight, Henry.

You just get a good nights
rest, you'll feel fine.

Thank you for all your
help Billy, good night.

Good night.

You're a good good woman, Naomi.

Leaving so much behind
to come out here.

Shh, you mustn't talk.

When I think about all that
beautiful Oregon country

out there, just waiting for us, I...

And that house I was
gonna build you,

that beautiful house.

No.

You will.

John?

John?

Your, your father is...

Don't give in, Henry.

You've got to fight.

What's to become of
you and the children?

Don't think about that.

Just put your mind
to getting well.

John needs a
father to guide him.

He's got good stuff.

But he needs discipline.

Papa!

Remember what I told you, son,

about responsibility
and becoming a man.

Your mother's gonna need
you more than ever now.

You've got to help her.

You can make it.

I know you can.

It's just like
Kit Carson said.

You're the bravest
and the greatest man.

Papa!

Papa!

As long as I can remember, Papa wanted to
plow that black soil out on the Willamette.

But now he'll never do it.

You know something, Francis?

I'd sure give a lot if
I had been a better son

to Papa these last few months.

In thee, dear Lord,
do I put my trust.

For thou art my
rock, my fortress.

And to thine hands,
I commit my spirit.

Come on now!
Easy boys, get up!

Ha!

It's snakes, the horses!

Come on, get back
here, stop it, horses!

Get back, whoa whoa!

John!

John!

Dr. Dutch, get everybody
out of the way!

Hurry!

What are you doing?

I told you to get everybody out!

Hurry, Mama!

Come on, John,
hurry, hurry!

What the blazes?

John, get those horses unhooked!

Dr. Dutch!

Dr. Dutch, pay attention!

Why, what is it?

Get up to the Polk wagon quick.

Emily's ready to deliver.

And there are more folks down
with that blasted dysentery.

I'll get a team up here and
help you out of this fix, John.

There, that should do it.

We'll have you out of there
in no time, Catherine.

Oh, John, darest I?

Of course, come on.

Francis, help me get her on her feet.

But Dr. Dutch said--

The devil with Dr. Dutch.

Now get used to 'em for a minute,
then we'll go show Mama.

She's doing it, Johnny!

She's doing it!

Billy?

Yeah?

We must hold up a couple of days
until this epidemic is over.

We're behind schedule already.

With dysentery, we have no schedule.

I must tell you, Billy,
there's hardly a wagon

in this whole company
that is not infected.

Well, I guess we
got no other choice.

I'll go tell the others.

Mama, Mama, look!

Catherine!

Carry her back or she
will be crippled for life!

Let her be.

She'd rather be lame than staying
in that old wagon all the time.

Wouldn't you, Catherine?

Yes, I would.

Oh, now Catherine, I think
the doctor knows best.

He don't know beans.

Anybody knows a broken bone
heals up sooner than this.

Anyway, if Dr. Dutch would
have taken better care of Papa,

he'd still be alive today.

What, you dumkopf, you!

Take your hands off me.

I'm head of our home now.

And another thing, ain't a bit of use

for you to try to marry my
mom, 'cause I won't let you!

I'm sorry, Doctor.

- John.

I know what you want me to go do.

You want me to go tell him I'm sorry.

Well, I ain't gonna, 'cause
what I said was true.

John, let's suppose
that Francis came to you

and said that you were
bossy and used bad grammar.

What would you say?

I'd knock his head off.

But it's true.
- I don't care.

I wouldn't let a kid like
that say such things to me.

That's exactly how Dr. Dutch feels.

John, go sit down.
I want to talk to you.

Haven't seen you hold little Anna.

Don't you like her?

Yeah, but there's always so
many others fussing over her.

There's no one here now.

John, I'm going to give little Anna
to you for your very own.

What?

Now that your father's gone,
she needs a man

to take care of her
while she's growing up.

And you're the man
of the family now.

Yeah, but I don't know
how to take care of a baby.

She just needs lots of love.

She's your special baby.

And I know that you'll
take care of her,

just as I know that you'll always
keep the children together.

I can trust you to do that.

Yes, Mama.

Mama was slipping away.

I think John must have known that.

But us kids, we just
thought she was tired.

Mama died of pneumonia on the
darkest night I can remember.

And on that night, for the first time
in our lives, we were alone.

Now all of you stop your fretting.

They're not going to divide us up.

I promised Mama I'd keep
the family together,

and that's just what
I'm going to do.

Johnny?

Do you think we'll all be together
with Mama and Papa again?

Of course we will.

If God put us in the
same family down here,

it's a cinch he wants us
together up in heaven.

Well, you're a hard-nosed
boy to deal with, John Sager.

I guess we're gonna have
to give into you this time.

Think you can handle this brood
of yours all the way to Fort Hall?

I know I can.

Well, that's fine for everybody
but this little baby.

Give it to me, Catherine.
- No, she's mine.

Mama gave her to me.

Please, John.

I'm not gonna keep her.

All right, but just
remember she's mine.

Now, your mother left enough money
to send you back to Missouri.

We'll make all the arrangements
in Fort Hall

for you to stay there
during the winter.

Come on, Matilda.

You can stay with Aunt Sally, too.

Now that I'm boss
of this family,

I can lick any one if
you don't do what I say,

and you know it.

I ain't gonna be bullied.

If you're fair, I'll
let you be boss.

If you ain't, you'll have
to scalp me before I mind.

Keep quiet, let's
hear what he wants.

Now, the first thing is, I want to
write down about Mama in the Bible.

And while I'm at it, I want
to change the baby's name.

I want to call her Henrietta
Naomi, after Papa and Mama.

I'll get the Bible.

Folks!

Folks, would you come
over here, please?

Folks, come on, over here!

I wanna talk to you.

Folks, over here!

Now, if you want my advice,
it's too late in the year

to try to go on to Oregon.

Of course, if you want
to die of lung fever,

or freeze and starve to death
in the Blue Mountains,

well go ahead.

But if you have an ounce of sense,

you'll decide in
favor of California.

Well, if it ain't
young John Sager.

Mr. Carson.

I was hoping our paths
would cross again.

Well, am I glad to see you.

Well, how's your Ma and Pa and
the rest of that family of yours?

Mama and Papa died, Mr. Carson.

I'm sure sorry, I hadn't heard.

Well, what are your plans now?

Well, Mama planned
to stay till spring,

and then take us back to
St. Louis with some traders.

But now the Shaws want to
keep the baby and Matilda,

and I ain't gonna let 'em.

Well, that don't hardly seem fair.

The last thing my Mama told me
was to keep the family together.

So now we're gonna go on to Oregon.

We're going to take up that
homestead just like Papa planned.

You know, John, that's a job
for at least two full grown men.

And this late in the year
with the snow coming,

the wagon just won't
make it through.

I wouldn't take a wagon.

I'd use a pack train just like
Uncle Billy and the others.

All's I got to do is convince
Uncle Billy to let us go along.

Could you help us, Mr. Carson?

You could talk him into it.

You sure got a lot of
spunk and determination.

You wait right here.
I'll be back.

Now, I don't know
about the rest of you,

but I started out for the Willamette
Valley, and that's where I'm going.

You can count me in, Shaw.

Good, good.

- Billy Shaw?

I have a matter to
take up with you.

Why, Mr. Carson?

It's about that young fellow
by the name of John Sager.

Heard of him?

Yes.

Young Sager, I suppose you know

that all has been arranged for you
to remain at the fort this winter.

I don't need no quack
doctor telling me nothing

'cause I'm taking my
family on to Oregon.

Have you lost your mind?

What does a dumb kid like
you know about this country?

Ah.

Disrespectful young cub!

I'm sorry, John, but
he's convinced he's doing

what your mama wanted him to do.

And if you want my advice, I think
you're best off doing what he says.

I've been hoping and
praying I'd find you,

'cause I knew you'd help
me do what my Pa wanted.

But you're just like
the rest of 'em!

Hey, wait a minute. You think
I don't want to help you?

I tell you, I would
if I only knew how.

I don't need nobody's help.
I can do it on my own.

You got to be a plumb loco to
take off out there by yourself.

Maybe so, but I
got to do it anyhow.

I've never met anybody
like you, John Sager.

You're more stubborn than
five mules in a bath tub.

Now, you come along with me.

You and I got a lot
of thinking to do.

He said he'd come, and he will.

Now, you better be getting the girls up.

Tell 'em to be quiet.

Is everything ready?

Sure thing, Mr. Carson.

Boy, you sure got two fine mules.

I got a good price
for your wagon and team.

And you should have enough
supplies and pemmican to last you.

What is pemmican?

Oh, that's a tasty little
dish the Indians make.

Sure tastes good, if you
can overlook the hair.

Is this everything you want loaded?

Everything we got room for.

John, you almost forget these.

We're not taking 'em, Louisa.

There's not room.

You can't leave Mama's windows.

Mr. Carson, can't we take them?

What windows are you talking about?

That would be a fine thing,
a house without windows.

I think we can find a place
for 'em on old Silas.

Don't you two have another job to do?

Matilda, wake up.

What's wrong, Francis?

We got to hide.
There's Indians, hurry.

Here, take this.

Billy?

Hmm?

Turn over.

You're waking up the whole camp.

Now, remember, there's Indians,
so don't make a sound.

Is Aunt Sally hiding?

Hurry.

Now, John, don't you let that
Shaw come to get ahead of you

more than a day or two, or you're
gonna to be in a lot of trouble.

By the time you catch up with them,
you're far enough down the trail

that they're not going to
want to send you back.

Another thing, you tell old
Shaw if he's got any sense,

he'll hold up for the winter
at Whitman's Mission.

Well, how far before we get there?

Not till you get over
the Blue Mountains,

the last leg of the journey.

You tell Mrs. Whitman
that Kit Carson sent you.

She'll take real good care
of you, especially that baby.

Thanks, Mr. Carson, for all you've done.

I sure wish you was going with us.

Well, when I get through
that Army business,

I might just come over to the
Willamette and see how you're doing.

We'd be mighty pleased if you do that.

Well, I plan on it.

And when I get there, I'd
like to see that house

with all them pretty
windows, you hear?

Ew, I hate this pemmican stew.

Eat it or I'll knock your--
- I know, I know.

You'll knock my head off.

Say, isn't today Sunday?

Yes, it is.

I remember Aunt Sally said

they always read the prayer
book and sang hymns on Sunday.

This being Sunday, we're going to
hold services right here ourselves.

Francis, go get the bible
and give it to me.

You're not our father and mother and
they're the only one in the family,

that I would let read
the bible to me.

Go get the bible or I'm
going to give you a beating.

I'm not going to.

Stop it!

All right, I'll get it.

Can I read it, John?

I said I was gonna read it.

Here.

Blessed is he, who's merciful
to little children,

and leadeth them with love, and
kindness, and understanding.

It's them, they're coming!

It's Uncle Billy!

I want Aunt Sally.

Shh!

Not so loud.

We're dreaming we're watching 'em.

We'll let them get a day or so ahead
of us, then we'll follow 'em.

Hey, look at this, John.

I wonder who it belonged to.

It don't matter, it's ours now.

Go on Francis.

Let's go get Silas
hooked up to it.

What are we gonna do now, Johnny?

Yeah, what are we?

We're gonna camp here for a while
'cause we're going to build a raft.

That's what we're going to do.

Let's get busy. Francis, you take
care of the stock.

Sure it'll float, Johnny?

The only way to find out,
is to try it.

Where's Louisa?

She was here just a minute ago.

There she is!

What's wrong with her?

She's scared of the
water, that's what.

Ever since she fell in that old
swimming hole back home, remember?

Well, we don't have time
for foolishness like this.

Come on, Louisa, stop
acting like a baby.

No!

Stop it.

Either you come out of
there or I'll give you

a licking you'll never forget.

You bully!

You can't force a person
not to be scared.

Since you think you know
it all, smarty, you do it.

Come on, Louisa.

I won't let John
spank you, I promise.

And you don't have
to get on that raft

till you're good and ready.

I'm not going on that raft!

Look, Louisa, there's
nothing to be scared of.

I'll hold on to you real tight,

and you can close
your eyes if you like.

We have to get across that old river.

No!

All right then, I guess Mama will never
have that house she wanted out in Oregon.

Poor Mama.

I bet she's looking down
from heaven right now

and feeling real sad, and Papa too.

Catherine, wait.

Do you really think that Mama and Papa
are looking down from heaven?

Of course they are.

They've been watching over
us ever since they died.

Isn't that right, Johnny?

Yeah, we're their children, ain't we?

Then I guess I won't be scared anymore.

Come on.

Now, don't let go of her
for nothing, Catherine.

Now if you all be quiet and trust me,

nothing's going to happen.

Keep 'em coming, Francis.

I'm trying.

Hold on to those horses, Francis!

I'm trying.

I can't hold them anymore!

Hold on there, Francis!

Mama's windows!

Hey, watch out!

I'm sorry, John, but I just
couldn't hold on any longer.

That's okay, old trapper.

You did the best you could
and that's what counts.

Come on, let's go find them.

Now, you girls stay here
and get ready to go.

They were watching
over us, weren't they?

Who was?

Mama and Papa.

John, we've got to stop and rest.

I can't go on any further.

We would've caught up with Uncle Billy

if it wouldn't have been for you always

wanting to stop and rest.

Well, if your leg hurt like
mine, you'd wanna rest too.

I'm hungry.

John, can't we stop and rest?

Next one that opens his mouth,
I'm gonna knock his head off.

I think she's sick, John.

Old Betsy's must not be
right for her anymore.

John, look!

What are we gonna do?

Let's just hope they're friendly.

We're just passing through here.

You haven't by any chance seen
any of our people, have you?

They might have gone by
here a couple days ago.

Be mighty obliged if you tell us.

No no, you're not getting this.

Keep her quiet, Catherine.

She's hungry.

No, no!

I think she wants to feed her.

We can't let a squaw
feed her, can we?

I don't know nothing about that.

She don't take to Betsy's milk,
and they seem pretty friendly.

Don't worry, I won't
let them steal her.

She ain't gonna hurt her.

Let's go set up camp.

This is such a lovely place.

I wish we could stay
here for a whole week.

With John pushing us, we're lucky
to stay here for a whole minute.

Is Henrietta going to
be a papoose, Johnny?

Stop your fretting, Matilda.

You'd think I'd give
my own little baby

to a bunch of Indians?

Wish they'd quit staring.
It makes me nervous.

If they were going to give her back,

wouldn't they have done it by now?

I don't want Henrietta
to be a papoose.

Maybe they already took her off.

Probably won't see her again.

Would you girls be quiet?

I think someone's coming.

Thank you, ma'am, much obliged to you.

Hey, come and look!

Everybody's gone!

They robbed us.

They took Papa's horse.

I knew we shouldn't have trusted them.

Everything's gone except some
baby things and some blankets.

Well, at least we got our scalps.

They didn't take Mama's windows
'cause I've been sleeping with them.

John, what are we going
to have for breakfast?

Willow leaves, why ask me?

'Cause you're always
telling us who's boss.

So you should be in charge
of getting us some food.

Look, smarty, you want a licking?

You can't hit Catherine.
She's the only mother we've got.

Come on, Francis. Let's go
see what we can find.

The rest of you, get
ready to move out.

If we don't catch up with Uncle
Billy now, we're really in trouble.

It's them, it's them!

It's Aunt Sally!

It's Uncle Billy!

Wait, Aunt Sally.

Great goshes, it's John Sager
and his brood.

What in blazes, boy?

We've been trying to catch
up to you since Fort Hall.

You poor children.
You look starved.

We haven't eaten for two days.

Emily, get them something to eat.

John, how, let me
have that little thing.

How is she?

She cries a lot, Mrs. Polk.
She acts like she's sick.

Maybe some warmer clothes will help.

I'll give her some
of our little Myra's.

She, uh, come on, children.

Little Myra drowned in
the last river crossing.

That's what decided
us to come this way.

This way?

Don't you know where you are, boy?

This is the California trail.

California?

But where's Billy Shaw?

Still bent for the Willamette.

We left him and Dr. Dutch
back on the Oregon Trail

20 miles or so.

You must've been careless
at the forks.

Thanks, Mrs. Polk.

Sure obliged for the food.

Nothing ever tasted so
good in my whole life.

We've been talking things
over, John, trying to come

to some sensible decision.

Adam, we're taking
them with us, surely.

Little Henrietta.

Ain't none of us going
with you, not even the baby.

We're going on to Oregon.

Don't be foolish, son.

You're talking about 20
miles of backtracking.

You'll never catch up with the Shaws.

I want to stay with Mrs. Polk.

Me too.

Don't you kids want to take
up that homestead for Papa?

Some Indians stole our supplies.

If you could sell us a few,
I'd give you my Pa's watch.

Well, like I said, we
ain't got much to spare.

But we'll let you have
what we can.

You can keep your Pa's watch.

Adam, you're not going to just let
him go off by themselves like that.

Give him the baby, Emily.

Well, we won't hold
you folks up any longer.

Come on, kids, we got a
lot of backtracking to do.

White man trail take too long.

Indian trail take you fast.

You know a shorter way
to the Oregon trail?

Over mountain.

John and that Indian figured
they knew what they were doing.

But to me, leaving the
Polks was a foolish a thing

as anyone could ever do.

And if you'd have asked me
then what our chances were

of ever running into the
Shaws, I'd have told you

all our chances put together
wouldn't have filled a thimble.

- Johnny?

I think Henrietta's getting worse.

If we're not careful, we're
going to lose White Elk.

Look how far ahead he is.

Hey, you crazy Indian!

Stop!

Hey, we got a sick papoose back there.

Can't you slow down?

White children slow like turtles.

We'll never catch Billy Shaw!

We've got to.

You've got a fast pony.

You ride ahead and tell
Uncle Billy to wait for us.

First, you give me father's watch.

No, the deal was for you
to get us to the Shaws.

All right, here.

But you better stick to your
bargain and not run off.

All right, hurry up.

It's Uncle Billy and Aunt Sally,
John. I just know it is.

Well, White Elk
should have come back.

I want Aunt Sally, Johnny.

Wait a minute.

I think something's wrong.

John Sager?

Don't come in.

You will get this awful
dysentery for sure.

The baby's awful sick, Aunt Sally.

We thought maybe you could help.

We know, John.

White Elk was here.

He's gone on to the Whitman
Mission to bring back help.

That's Cayuse country.

He told me he'd never go that far.

He said they'd scalp
a Ute Indian for sure.

All I know is he said Mrs. Whitman

could help your sick baby,
and for you to wait here.

Don't feed 'em too fast, Catherine,

it'll make him worse.

Where'd you get the meat, John?

One of our mules was killed by wolves.

There's enough soup here
to last you for a week,

plenty of wood.

You girls got everything ready?

We don't want to go, Johnny.

We want to stay here
with Aunt Sally.

Please, Johnny, please?

I don't want to hear
any more talk like that.

We got to go.

But White Elk said we should stay here
till he brings help.

The baby'd be dead by then!

Look at her!

If I can keep her alive
till we get to Mrs. Whitman,

she might have a chance.

But if we stay, she'll die.

And I promised Mom.

You're right, John.

That baby needs to be under shelter,
in a house with a woman's care.

By going on to meet the rescue party,
you'll be that much closer.

We'll make sure you get
help as soon as possible.

Thank you, John.

We didn't know it then,

but John's worst fear was
staring him dead in the eye:

Winter!

The colder it got, the
harder he pushed us.

Look, there's White Elk's
tracks again.

Francis, you turn Betsy
and Silas lose to graze.

I'm going to go gather
some wood and make a fire

that'll melt the snow
off this whole mountain.

You mean we get to rest?

I reckon.

It'll be easy for Dr.
Whitman to find us here.

What makes you think
he'll find us here?

White Elk!

I'm going to sleep all
day in the warm sunshine.

Then maybe I'll never be cold again.

I wish we had something
different to eat.

I'm tired of eating poor old Hiram.

Look, Henrietta's smiling!

Johnny, Henrietta smiled!

John, you look sad.

We're not staying here.
We're moving on.

But Johnny!

Shut up, all of you!

You dare say another word,
I'll whip the lot of you!

Now, Francis, get that stuff
loaded back upon Silas.

I ain't going to.

You ain't what?

I'm staying here till morning.

We've been traveling half
the night and all day,

and I'm too tired to move on.

And another thing, I'm sick and
tired of you bossing me around.

Get going or I'm gonna
knock your head off.

You'll have to knock my head off,
too, 'cause I ain't going either.

That goes for me.

Me too!

Okay.

Then I'm going on without you.

Johnny, don't leave us!

Okay, then let's get going.

Crying won't bring him
back to life, come on.

Straighten up, all of you!

We've either got to go
on or freeze to death.

You've got to quit
driving us so hard, John.

I kept it from you,

but I found White Elk dead and scalped.

He never made it to the Whitman's.

The only way we're
ever going to see them

is to keep on going for
as long as I tell you to.

Henrietta hasn't moved since
the last place we stopped.

What things do we leave behind?

Come on, Louisa,
we got to keep going.

No, I'm too tired.

Francis, stop!

Come on.
- No!

Just a little father.
- No!

Come on.

We got to keep on going, please.
- No!

We gotta keep on going.
- No!, I'm too tired!

We're going to freeze.
- No!

Francis!

Elizabeth!

Catherine!

Come back here!

Don't worry, everything's
going to be all right.

You're in charge now, old trapper.

Please, dear Lord, help me.

I just knew that if I could
get her to you, you'd save her.

Please, Mr. Whitman,
don't let her die.

She's gonna make it, John.

Well, if it ain't Rip Van Winkle.

How you feeling, boy?

Much better.

How's Henrietta?

Come see for yourself, John.

Thanks, Mrs. Whitman,
for all you've done.

John, isn't this a lovely place?

Look what I found to read.

Mrs. Whitman says that we
can stay as long as we want.

Now all of you quit pushing me.

Have you forgot Papa's dreams?

As soon as spring comes,
we're going to go out there,

and we're going to take
up that homestead for him.

These little ones need
a home and a mother.

She's right, John.

with the government
to hold land for you?

Can you do that?

Sure I can.

You know, I've got
just the spot in mind.

It's beautiful.

You've never seen land like it,

green as far as the eyes
can see, hundreds of acres.

You know, your Pa would
be mighty proud of you

if you'd set up a homestead there.

Is there a meadow there, Mr. Carson?

Well, what'd you have in mind, boy?

Just a place to build that house
that Mama always wanted.

John's promise was this valley,

sheltered by tall trees,

covered with sweet green grass.

It was as beautiful as the
dream that lived in our hearts,

and in the hearts we left behind.

Hear the mountain.

I hear it call you.

How young and small
you and I must seem.

But the mountain

was made for climbing.

Let's get the climbing done.

We've only begun our dream.

Every sunset

we'll leave behind us.

I know we'll find us

closer to the day,

when we'll find the home,

that's waiting somewhere.

Our home is a dream,

But only a dream away.