Bonanza (1959–1973): Season 9, Episode 27 - In Defense of Honor - full transcript
Longtime hand who was 'adopted' into the Cartwright family as a child decides to return to the Indian tribe to which he was born. Indian haters stir up trouble for Davey, which puts the entire treaty in jeopardy before it's even signed. Ute trial and knife fight used to decide the truth.
ANNOUNCER: The following program
is brought to you in living color on NBC.
I wonder what kind of trouble Candy's
getting himself into in San Francisco.
That's according to what
kind of gals he's meeting.
- [ALL CHUCKLE]
- [KNOCK AT DOOR]
I'll get it.
Peace, Indian.
Peace, Paleface.
Hey, Dave, come on in, buddy!
Confounded redskin wrangler! How
many of our cattle did you lose today?
- Davey, how you doing?
- Fine.
- How about some coffee?
- Thank you.
I'll get you a cup.
- Evening, Mr. Cartwright.
- Hello, Davey.
- Bill Corby said you wanted to see me.
- Yeah.
Davey, I want you to pick out two of the
best ponies you've been breaking for me
and bring them in tomorrow.
I need them for a gift.
Who are they for? I mean,
you want the best in the string?
The very best.
The best you've got.
I want them for, uh...
well, for Chief Lone Spear.
- You know him?
- I remember him.
The ranchers and Lone Spear are
signing that treaty tomorrow and...
It's a waste of time.
You can't trust him.
Davey, the sacred ground is
being returned to the Ute tribe.
Everybody's guaranteed
not to trespass on it.
- It means a great deal to them.
- Doesn't mean a thing to me.
Hoss, maybe you'd better
come by my place tomorrow
and pick out them
horses yourself.
Good night.
[SIGHS DEEPLY]
The treaty of the white
man will be signed tomorrow.
The sacred ground will be
our sacred ground once more.
I, Lone Spear, chief of the
Utes, will make my mark.
The white man will take
the water from our land.
He will take only
a small part of it,
and in trade, he will give us
back the land of our ancestors.
I do not trust them.
The white man trusts the Ute.
He has promised never again
to set foot on the sacred ground.
And if the white
man breaks his word?
We must kill.
- HOSS: Hey.
- JOE: Hey, brother. How you doing?
- You picked out two good ponies?
- Well, I think so, Pa.
- Ask old Dave what he thinks.
- Best in the string.
Well, good. I sure hope
Lone Spear will be pleased.
Don't want any hitch in
the signing of this treaty.
That sacred ground
means a lot to the Utes,
and the water rights sure mean
a lot to the settlers in the valley.
The settlers can use
that water without a treaty.
Well, not without a fight.
Be a pretty short fight.
The Utes wouldn't last long.
You can say what you want about
the Utes, they're still your people.
My people? Are they?
If Mr. Cartwright hadn't found
me where my people left me,
I would have been
killed that day.
I was only five years old,
but I remember it, I always will.
My people!
You're my people.
Only ones I've got.
Except for Hoss here, a
guy couldn't ask for better.
Well, we, uh... we'd
better get going.
Mr. Cartwright, do you
mind if I come along?
Sure. Sure.
Good idea. Dave, you and me
ain't been in town together in months.
Besides, you did such a bad job on
them broncs, we might need some help.
I swear Hoss, about the only thing
you don't need help on is eating.
You don't remember the time you cooked
out there on that hunting trip, right?
Almost noon.
Don't worry, they'll be here.
I can't say that I enjoy being
kept waiting by an Indian.
Now, he said he'd
be here at noon.
Judge Nelson, it must
be noon. Here he comes.
- Chief Lone Spear.
- Ben Cartwright.
Welcome, my friend.
We are here to speak as men.
My voice shall come from
the heart and from my people.
We shall see then
if we are friends.
This is Judge Nelson. He will
witness the formal signing of the treaty.
Of course, you know
all the ranchers present.
The treaty with Chief
Lone Spear and his people
will be a thing of
trust and honor.
Judge.
I want Lone Spear to know
that I consider it a great privilege
to be here on this
solemn occasion.
Let us enter the
lodge and speak.
Bright Moon.
You wait for me here.
- Impressive old gentleman, ain't he?
- Yeah, he sure is.
- How about something cold to drink?
- Sounds good.
Davey, you want
something to drink?
Yeah, sure, why not? Gonna take
these savages quite a while to pow wow.
Come on.
It's a disgrace,
that's what it is,
meeting with them,
bargaining with them.
Only way you can bargain with
an Indian is from behind a rifle.
- What'll you have, Davey?
- You have beer, I'll have sarsaparilla.
- Sarsaparilla’s good for me.
- Fine. Bartender, three sarsaparillas.
Oh, uh, bartender. You serve
Indians in a white man's saloon?
These Cartwrights, they don't care
who they bring into a white man's saloon.
You know, I bet you they'd even
bring in hogs if they had any hogs.
MAN 2: Wouldn't smell
much worse if they did.
Anything I can't stand is
the smell of a stinking Indian.
Refill, Frank.
[GLASS SHATTERS]
Just saving you
the trouble, Frank.
Wouldn’t want a white man
drinking out of that glass.
Not after the likes of him.
Just what seems to be you
two fellas' big problem, anyhow?
Let me straighten you two
fellas out a little something.
There's just an outside chance
that we two might be even more
uncivilized than our Indian friend.
Now, have you got
anything to say to us?
- Nothing.
- Good.
Bartender, give us
another sarsaparilla.
[DOORS SWING]
Let him go. Give him
a chance to cool off.
Miss?
When I said savages...
I'm sorry.
Your eyes. They show great hurt.
It is I who am sorry for you.
There's no need.
I have a job, a life. I
live like a white man.
There's much food to eat,
and I have a house to live in.
MAN: You know what's
wrong with this Indian?
- What?
- He thinks he's a white man.
Well, maybe we ought to teach
him some white man manners.
I will say goodbye now.
How about saying goodbye
to us, Indian? Real nice.
We’re waiting, Indian.
Like I said, Judd, maybe we
should teach him some manners.
How about you, honey,
are you gonna be nice?
- DAVEY: Leave her be!
- Out of here, Indian!
Get away from her!
Now wait a minute,
honey. You just stay here.
Take it easy, honey.
- Are you hurt?
- Oh, no.
I'll get me that Indian.
I'll see him dead if I have
to follow him from now on.
- You all right, Davey?
- Yes. Thank you.
Who is this white
man? What is he doing?
- Just hold on, I know how it looks...
- I do not speak to you.
But to her. Who is he?
This man tried to protect me.
And you are wrong.
He is not a white man.
He's an Indian, like us.
Like us? Look at him.
You call him Indian?
He is neither Indian nor white.
He's the hunting
ground without buffalo.
He is the land after the fire,
when even the roots are burned.
Indian? He is not
even a white man.
Davey, c'mon. Davey.
- Here! Stop that!
- Let him loose.
Joseph, Hoss, what's
the meaning of this?
- Well, Pa...
- I can speak for myself.
And I speak to you, Lone Spear.
Who is this man?
He is not a man.
He is a half-breed.
I am not a half-breed.
I'm an Indian.
You hear me? An Indian!
A Ute, like you.
- Well, you're all ready to go, Pa.
- Good.
Little brother, you
behave yourself, you hear?
Just because you're
going to the state capital
don't mean you can kick
them heels up too high.
Oh, don't worry, Hoss. I won't.
- Hoss, I'd like you to do me a favor.
- Yeah, Pa?
I told Lone Spear that the
treaty is in effect as of right now.
Except I've got to get the paper
signed by the Governor and I'm not sure
that Lone Spear quite believes it,
so I'd like you to ride over there today,
and again tomorrow and sort of quiet
any doubts that Lone Spear might have.
Don't worry about a thing, Pa.
I'll keep everything calm and quiet.
All right.
Come on!
[RUNNING WATER]
Bright Moon?
I have been waiting for you. You
were the last of the women to come.
If I had known you were here,
I would have been the first.
I had so many things I wanted to
tell you. Now, I've forgotten them all.
You need not say anything.
Yes, I must.
I came here just to
see you, and now...
You said you're an Indian.
A Ute.
Is this true?
- Yes, it is.
- But you live as a white man.
I would like to tell you
why, and I will, some day.
- You need not tell me at all.
- Here, let me.
[INDISTINCT]
The last thing my pa said was
that that sacred ground was yours,
and no white man was to set
foot on it from this day forward.
The sacred ground
is dear to my people.
And the water is
dear to the ranchers.
I trust that you will
guarantee them that water.
Hoss Cartwright speaks
well and from the heart.
But he speaks of guarantees.
What guarantee is there
that, as more white men come,
they will not take back the
land of the sacred ground?
I know that, in the past,
the white man has smoked the
pipe many times in sealing treaties.
And he's often broken them.
But this treaty is going to be
signed by the Governor of the state,
and the ranchers
have already signed it.
We Cartwrights will stand behind
every word of it, you can depend on that.
The word of a Cartwright
is one that I trust.
- Give me the pipe.
- Lone Spear...
Do as I say!
There are few of your race
with whom I would smoke.
Wait, a brave does
not carry water,
and my people should not see it.
- Well, I am your people.
- But you've been too long away.
Our customs are not
as the white man's.
And my heart fears for you.
- White Wolf will...
- He doesn't worry me.
But it has long been understood
that White Wolf and I would
plant side by side two reeds...
and live in one teepee.
This is Bright Moon's wish?
It is Bright Moon's fear.
Then it will not happen.
[CRIES OUT]
[SCUFFLING]
White Wolf, stop!
What is the meaning of this?
This white man's talk would
take the woman promised to me.
- Is this true, my daughter?
- It is true.
While one white man smokes the pipe
another brings dishonor to my daughter.
I am not a white man! My
skin is the color of yours.
You have lived as a white
man. You are a white man.
I am what I am because
Lone Spear's a coward.
Speaking dog!
Before you die, or I do,
I allow you to explain.
Davey, you apologize
to the chief right now.
Lone Spear spoke of honor. I
say his mouth fouls the word.
Is it honor to leave a
child on the field of battle,
to leave him to the
white man's revenge?
Would Lone Spear
call this honor?
He would not,
and he is listening.
Then listen well, for it
was you who did this.
You ran before the white man's
guns at the battle of Red Fork...
leaving behind my
mother and father dead.
And a child, me, to whatever mercy
the white man chose to show me.
And Ben Cartwright found me.
No, I did not choose
to be what I am.
You made me what I am,
and now you turn from me.
Your knife.
I will speak, and if my
words do not satisfy,
I ask you to take my life.
The battle of Red Fork was
one where we fought with honor.
When the sun rose, there
were over 200 of my people
ready to die for
what they believed.
When the sun set,
there were only a few...
like scattered grains of
corn to greet the night.
No longer an army...
disorganized, scattered, defeated.
And you were left behind.
I can only say this.
I would have given my
life to take you with us...
if I had known you were there.
If you do not believe this...
do now what you must do.
Perhaps it is I who should
offer my life to you, instead of...
Instead of what?
Of asking that I be
reunited with my people.
And that I might speak with your
daughter, Bright Moon, of marriage.
Before that day comes you
will lie with your ancestors!
Silence, White Wolf, it is
not your place to speak.
Perhaps it is not even
mine, but as chief, I do.
If it is your wish, you
may become one of us.
As for Bright Moon,
there must be time.
But in the end, she
alone will decide.
Come.
DAVEY: Lone Spear!
I will return to my
tribe to begin a new life.
I have spoken.
Lone Spear has heard.
[BELL RINGING]
Hey! What in tarnation? You trying
to wake up the whole of Ponder...?
Gee, Davey, what...
What is all this?
I just wanted you to
remember this night.
The night I became
an Indian again.
Yeah, I, uh... I ain't
likely to forget it.
- I came to say goodbye, Hoss.
- What does that mean?
I'm quitting my job. All the
stock is fed and watered.
They'll be all right till you find
another man to take my place.
Tell Joe and Mr. Cartwright
goodbye for me.
You're, uh... You're really
serious about all this, ain't you?
Yes, I am.
I reckon you got your
eye on that little gal.
She's gonna be my wife.
- She's pretty, real pretty.
- Yes, she is.
Hope everything
works out for you.
It will. It will.
Davey?
Peace.
Peace.
There they are.
- What are they up to?
- Some kinda Indian mumbo-jumbo.
[CRACKLING]
I don't know very much about
this promise-to-marry ceremony.
All I remember is what I saw
when I was a very small boy.
You saw? Small boy
is not supposed to see.
Well, it was dark. I
didn't see very much.
For shame!
It don't matter what they're doing. I'll
never get a better shot at that Indian.
Hold it.
I will guard you with all my
strength in all the years to come.
And I will serve you well
in all the years to come.
Will you die fighting,
or begging for your life?
I do not want to fight you.
Have you lived so
long with the white man
- that you have forgotten our customs?
- It is wrong to kill.
It is wrong to take the woman
meant to be another man's wife.
You will fight for her.
If I must.
[BREATHLESS] I will not kill you. We
are both Utes. We can become friends.
You have won.
Bright Moon is yours.
Go.
Give me that knife.
Now, let's see that Davey
talk himself out of this.
[INDISTINCT]
According to our laws and customs,
it was your right to kill White Wolf.
I could not kill him. Alive,
he will someday be a friend.
You speak with wisdom.
Lone Spear, I fought
for Bright Moon.
Our custom gives
you the right to her.
Does she feel as you do?
I could not be more
happy, my father.
We are happy, too, that our sacred
ground belongs again to the Utes.
So that your life together may
begin there, as it rightfully should.
Go now.
[HORSES APPROACHING]
- HOSS: Howdy.
- Howdy, Hoss.
- What can I do for you?
- Hoss, I got a little problem.
- What kind of problem?
- Murder.
These two men say they saw Davey
kill an Indian by the name of White Wolf.
- Threw a knife in his back and run off.
- I don't believe that.
They brought in the body with the
knife still sticking in it, no other wound.
He was probably fighting
over that young squaw.
Hoss, I got to ask Davey
some questions. Where is he?
He's gone to live with the Utes.
Hm. Well, I guess I'll just have
to ride in there and get him.
Hold up a minute, Sheriff. Let
me get my horse. I'll ride with you.
So, you see, Chief, the sheriff here
wants to take Davey into Virginia City.
The man you know as
Davey is a Ute of this tribe.
Yes, sir, I know, but you see,
we're up against the law now, Chief.
He just wants to take him
in for questioning, that's all.
- He did not kill White Wolf.
- Did you see the fight?
No, but my daughter, Bright Moon,
was there and told me how it was.
Well, two witnesses say they saw
Davey throw a knife in White Wolf's back.
Do you say she lies?
I don't say anybody lies.
Not yet. What I am saying is
I'm gonna take that boy in for trial.
He is a Ute. You
cannot have him.
Don't be telling me what
I can do and what I can't!
- You're talking to the law.
- Now, wait a minute, fellas.
There's gotta be some way
to straighten this thing out.
The boy and Bright Moon
are beyond your reach.
They are on sacred ground, Ute
ground, forbidden to all white men.
He's right. The Governor's
already signed that treaty by now.
If you go in there, you're gonna
be starting trouble, shooting trouble.
- It is sacred ground...
- Hoss, a crime's been committed.
Now, sacred ground or no
sacred ground, I gotta have the boy.
Wait a minute. Sheriff,
what would happen
if I went in there alone and got him?
That is if the chief would permit me.
- I'll just go to the boundary.
- You'll bring him in?
Yeah, I'll bring him in if you promise
to stay right here and wait for me.
All right. Make it quick.
Your friend Hoss.
- Dave, I gotta talk to you.
- What do you want?
White Wolf is dead and
they think you killed him.
Come, enter. We will talk.
That law work pays
pretty good, don't it?
Not too bad.
You seem like a nice fella. Be a
pity to see you lose that badge.
What makes you
think I'm gonna lose it?
One thing you always
hear about them Cartwrights
is that they're mighty
good to their friends.
Yeah, that Davey's been
on their payroll a long time.
I ain't saying Hoss
would break the law,
but on the other hand, he ain't
above helping an old friend get away.
Even if that friend happens to be a
knife-throwing, back-stabbing murderer.
You let them two Utes
get a head start on you
and you ain't ever gonna get
near enough to spot their dust.
Come on.
Deputy told the chief that they found
an Indian knife in White Wolf’s back
and that he had to bring you in.
But White Wolf was
alive when we left him.
But this deputy sheriff's
got a couple of witnesses
that claim they saw
you throw the knife.
- It's that Judd and Skinner.
- Those two.
Lies. Every word lies!
Hell! Look, Davey, all you
gotta do is ride in with me,
and tell Judge Nelson how it happened,
then it'll all be over and done with.
No, Hoss, it won't.
The word of two Indians will not stand
up against the word of two white men.
- They'll hang me.
- [HORSES APPROACHING]
HOSS: You promised
me you'd stay back there...
I'm sorry, Hoss, I
gotta have that boy.
This is Ute ground. It's sacred
ground. Don't you understand that?
- Hoss, I'm gonna do my duty.
- I'll tell you what you're gonna do.
You're gonna start a war,
that's what you're gonna do.
All right, so I start a war.
[GUNSHOT]
You've already made enough foolish
mistakes, Sheriff. Put that gun away.
[GUNSHOT]
One false move and
we're all dead men.
Four white men on Ute
ground, sacred ground.
I'm just trying to do my duty, Chief,
trying to bring a murderer in to trial.
- Who do you call a murderer?
- Davey, there.
- And you would have a trial?
- In Virginia City.
On Ute ground,
we have Ute trial.
Here and now.
Did you throw a knife
into White Wolf’s back?
- No, I did not.
- My daughter!
Were you with him when
he fought White Wolf?
Yes, my father, I was.
And what he has
just said, is this true?
It is true.
These two say they
saw the knife thrown.
- That's right.
- I say you both lie.
- No, sir, it's the truth.
- You bet your life.
We will see.
Then we'll have a trial.
Which of you fights for the
white man to prove the boy lies?
Wait a minute, Chief, a knife
fight isn't gonna prove anything.
Besides, you're only
starting another murder.
In your courts, some men put
their hands on a book, and lie.
In a Ute trial, some men feel the
knife's kiss of death at the throat.
And still lie.
Some men, but very few.
Which of you fights?
I choose you.
Hoss, stop this.
You can stop it.
Our land, Hoss Cartwright!
Your father signed the
treaty giving it back to us.
Ute land, Ute law.
Unless the word of
your father is worthless.
Ute land, Ute law.
You.
Fight!
Now we will see who lies.
Fight.
- Did I lie?
- No.
- Did you kill White Wolf?
- No.
- It wasn't me.
- Then who?
Judd. Hates every
redskin he ever saw.
Hates you more than any.
When he saw a chance to
put a knife in White Wolf...
Let him up, Davey.
We all know the truth now.
Come on, you two.
We got some talking
to do back in town.
HOSS: Dave, just because
you've gone back to your people
don't mean you can't come
back to the Ponderosa for a visit.
- You come and see us, you hear?
- I will.
And bring your wife.
ANNOUNCER: This has
been a color production
of the NBC television network.
is brought to you in living color on NBC.
I wonder what kind of trouble Candy's
getting himself into in San Francisco.
That's according to what
kind of gals he's meeting.
- [ALL CHUCKLE]
- [KNOCK AT DOOR]
I'll get it.
Peace, Indian.
Peace, Paleface.
Hey, Dave, come on in, buddy!
Confounded redskin wrangler! How
many of our cattle did you lose today?
- Davey, how you doing?
- Fine.
- How about some coffee?
- Thank you.
I'll get you a cup.
- Evening, Mr. Cartwright.
- Hello, Davey.
- Bill Corby said you wanted to see me.
- Yeah.
Davey, I want you to pick out two of the
best ponies you've been breaking for me
and bring them in tomorrow.
I need them for a gift.
Who are they for? I mean,
you want the best in the string?
The very best.
The best you've got.
I want them for, uh...
well, for Chief Lone Spear.
- You know him?
- I remember him.
The ranchers and Lone Spear are
signing that treaty tomorrow and...
It's a waste of time.
You can't trust him.
Davey, the sacred ground is
being returned to the Ute tribe.
Everybody's guaranteed
not to trespass on it.
- It means a great deal to them.
- Doesn't mean a thing to me.
Hoss, maybe you'd better
come by my place tomorrow
and pick out them
horses yourself.
Good night.
[SIGHS DEEPLY]
The treaty of the white
man will be signed tomorrow.
The sacred ground will be
our sacred ground once more.
I, Lone Spear, chief of the
Utes, will make my mark.
The white man will take
the water from our land.
He will take only
a small part of it,
and in trade, he will give us
back the land of our ancestors.
I do not trust them.
The white man trusts the Ute.
He has promised never again
to set foot on the sacred ground.
And if the white
man breaks his word?
We must kill.
- HOSS: Hey.
- JOE: Hey, brother. How you doing?
- You picked out two good ponies?
- Well, I think so, Pa.
- Ask old Dave what he thinks.
- Best in the string.
Well, good. I sure hope
Lone Spear will be pleased.
Don't want any hitch in
the signing of this treaty.
That sacred ground
means a lot to the Utes,
and the water rights sure mean
a lot to the settlers in the valley.
The settlers can use
that water without a treaty.
Well, not without a fight.
Be a pretty short fight.
The Utes wouldn't last long.
You can say what you want about
the Utes, they're still your people.
My people? Are they?
If Mr. Cartwright hadn't found
me where my people left me,
I would have been
killed that day.
I was only five years old,
but I remember it, I always will.
My people!
You're my people.
Only ones I've got.
Except for Hoss here, a
guy couldn't ask for better.
Well, we, uh... we'd
better get going.
Mr. Cartwright, do you
mind if I come along?
Sure. Sure.
Good idea. Dave, you and me
ain't been in town together in months.
Besides, you did such a bad job on
them broncs, we might need some help.
I swear Hoss, about the only thing
you don't need help on is eating.
You don't remember the time you cooked
out there on that hunting trip, right?
Almost noon.
Don't worry, they'll be here.
I can't say that I enjoy being
kept waiting by an Indian.
Now, he said he'd
be here at noon.
Judge Nelson, it must
be noon. Here he comes.
- Chief Lone Spear.
- Ben Cartwright.
Welcome, my friend.
We are here to speak as men.
My voice shall come from
the heart and from my people.
We shall see then
if we are friends.
This is Judge Nelson. He will
witness the formal signing of the treaty.
Of course, you know
all the ranchers present.
The treaty with Chief
Lone Spear and his people
will be a thing of
trust and honor.
Judge.
I want Lone Spear to know
that I consider it a great privilege
to be here on this
solemn occasion.
Let us enter the
lodge and speak.
Bright Moon.
You wait for me here.
- Impressive old gentleman, ain't he?
- Yeah, he sure is.
- How about something cold to drink?
- Sounds good.
Davey, you want
something to drink?
Yeah, sure, why not? Gonna take
these savages quite a while to pow wow.
Come on.
It's a disgrace,
that's what it is,
meeting with them,
bargaining with them.
Only way you can bargain with
an Indian is from behind a rifle.
- What'll you have, Davey?
- You have beer, I'll have sarsaparilla.
- Sarsaparilla’s good for me.
- Fine. Bartender, three sarsaparillas.
Oh, uh, bartender. You serve
Indians in a white man's saloon?
These Cartwrights, they don't care
who they bring into a white man's saloon.
You know, I bet you they'd even
bring in hogs if they had any hogs.
MAN 2: Wouldn't smell
much worse if they did.
Anything I can't stand is
the smell of a stinking Indian.
Refill, Frank.
[GLASS SHATTERS]
Just saving you
the trouble, Frank.
Wouldn’t want a white man
drinking out of that glass.
Not after the likes of him.
Just what seems to be you
two fellas' big problem, anyhow?
Let me straighten you two
fellas out a little something.
There's just an outside chance
that we two might be even more
uncivilized than our Indian friend.
Now, have you got
anything to say to us?
- Nothing.
- Good.
Bartender, give us
another sarsaparilla.
[DOORS SWING]
Let him go. Give him
a chance to cool off.
Miss?
When I said savages...
I'm sorry.
Your eyes. They show great hurt.
It is I who am sorry for you.
There's no need.
I have a job, a life. I
live like a white man.
There's much food to eat,
and I have a house to live in.
MAN: You know what's
wrong with this Indian?
- What?
- He thinks he's a white man.
Well, maybe we ought to teach
him some white man manners.
I will say goodbye now.
How about saying goodbye
to us, Indian? Real nice.
We’re waiting, Indian.
Like I said, Judd, maybe we
should teach him some manners.
How about you, honey,
are you gonna be nice?
- DAVEY: Leave her be!
- Out of here, Indian!
Get away from her!
Now wait a minute,
honey. You just stay here.
Take it easy, honey.
- Are you hurt?
- Oh, no.
I'll get me that Indian.
I'll see him dead if I have
to follow him from now on.
- You all right, Davey?
- Yes. Thank you.
Who is this white
man? What is he doing?
- Just hold on, I know how it looks...
- I do not speak to you.
But to her. Who is he?
This man tried to protect me.
And you are wrong.
He is not a white man.
He's an Indian, like us.
Like us? Look at him.
You call him Indian?
He is neither Indian nor white.
He's the hunting
ground without buffalo.
He is the land after the fire,
when even the roots are burned.
Indian? He is not
even a white man.
Davey, c'mon. Davey.
- Here! Stop that!
- Let him loose.
Joseph, Hoss, what's
the meaning of this?
- Well, Pa...
- I can speak for myself.
And I speak to you, Lone Spear.
Who is this man?
He is not a man.
He is a half-breed.
I am not a half-breed.
I'm an Indian.
You hear me? An Indian!
A Ute, like you.
- Well, you're all ready to go, Pa.
- Good.
Little brother, you
behave yourself, you hear?
Just because you're
going to the state capital
don't mean you can kick
them heels up too high.
Oh, don't worry, Hoss. I won't.
- Hoss, I'd like you to do me a favor.
- Yeah, Pa?
I told Lone Spear that the
treaty is in effect as of right now.
Except I've got to get the paper
signed by the Governor and I'm not sure
that Lone Spear quite believes it,
so I'd like you to ride over there today,
and again tomorrow and sort of quiet
any doubts that Lone Spear might have.
Don't worry about a thing, Pa.
I'll keep everything calm and quiet.
All right.
Come on!
[RUNNING WATER]
Bright Moon?
I have been waiting for you. You
were the last of the women to come.
If I had known you were here,
I would have been the first.
I had so many things I wanted to
tell you. Now, I've forgotten them all.
You need not say anything.
Yes, I must.
I came here just to
see you, and now...
You said you're an Indian.
A Ute.
Is this true?
- Yes, it is.
- But you live as a white man.
I would like to tell you
why, and I will, some day.
- You need not tell me at all.
- Here, let me.
[INDISTINCT]
The last thing my pa said was
that that sacred ground was yours,
and no white man was to set
foot on it from this day forward.
The sacred ground
is dear to my people.
And the water is
dear to the ranchers.
I trust that you will
guarantee them that water.
Hoss Cartwright speaks
well and from the heart.
But he speaks of guarantees.
What guarantee is there
that, as more white men come,
they will not take back the
land of the sacred ground?
I know that, in the past,
the white man has smoked the
pipe many times in sealing treaties.
And he's often broken them.
But this treaty is going to be
signed by the Governor of the state,
and the ranchers
have already signed it.
We Cartwrights will stand behind
every word of it, you can depend on that.
The word of a Cartwright
is one that I trust.
- Give me the pipe.
- Lone Spear...
Do as I say!
There are few of your race
with whom I would smoke.
Wait, a brave does
not carry water,
and my people should not see it.
- Well, I am your people.
- But you've been too long away.
Our customs are not
as the white man's.
And my heart fears for you.
- White Wolf will...
- He doesn't worry me.
But it has long been understood
that White Wolf and I would
plant side by side two reeds...
and live in one teepee.
This is Bright Moon's wish?
It is Bright Moon's fear.
Then it will not happen.
[CRIES OUT]
[SCUFFLING]
White Wolf, stop!
What is the meaning of this?
This white man's talk would
take the woman promised to me.
- Is this true, my daughter?
- It is true.
While one white man smokes the pipe
another brings dishonor to my daughter.
I am not a white man! My
skin is the color of yours.
You have lived as a white
man. You are a white man.
I am what I am because
Lone Spear's a coward.
Speaking dog!
Before you die, or I do,
I allow you to explain.
Davey, you apologize
to the chief right now.
Lone Spear spoke of honor. I
say his mouth fouls the word.
Is it honor to leave a
child on the field of battle,
to leave him to the
white man's revenge?
Would Lone Spear
call this honor?
He would not,
and he is listening.
Then listen well, for it
was you who did this.
You ran before the white man's
guns at the battle of Red Fork...
leaving behind my
mother and father dead.
And a child, me, to whatever mercy
the white man chose to show me.
And Ben Cartwright found me.
No, I did not choose
to be what I am.
You made me what I am,
and now you turn from me.
Your knife.
I will speak, and if my
words do not satisfy,
I ask you to take my life.
The battle of Red Fork was
one where we fought with honor.
When the sun rose, there
were over 200 of my people
ready to die for
what they believed.
When the sun set,
there were only a few...
like scattered grains of
corn to greet the night.
No longer an army...
disorganized, scattered, defeated.
And you were left behind.
I can only say this.
I would have given my
life to take you with us...
if I had known you were there.
If you do not believe this...
do now what you must do.
Perhaps it is I who should
offer my life to you, instead of...
Instead of what?
Of asking that I be
reunited with my people.
And that I might speak with your
daughter, Bright Moon, of marriage.
Before that day comes you
will lie with your ancestors!
Silence, White Wolf, it is
not your place to speak.
Perhaps it is not even
mine, but as chief, I do.
If it is your wish, you
may become one of us.
As for Bright Moon,
there must be time.
But in the end, she
alone will decide.
Come.
DAVEY: Lone Spear!
I will return to my
tribe to begin a new life.
I have spoken.
Lone Spear has heard.
[BELL RINGING]
Hey! What in tarnation? You trying
to wake up the whole of Ponder...?
Gee, Davey, what...
What is all this?
I just wanted you to
remember this night.
The night I became
an Indian again.
Yeah, I, uh... I ain't
likely to forget it.
- I came to say goodbye, Hoss.
- What does that mean?
I'm quitting my job. All the
stock is fed and watered.
They'll be all right till you find
another man to take my place.
Tell Joe and Mr. Cartwright
goodbye for me.
You're, uh... You're really
serious about all this, ain't you?
Yes, I am.
I reckon you got your
eye on that little gal.
She's gonna be my wife.
- She's pretty, real pretty.
- Yes, she is.
Hope everything
works out for you.
It will. It will.
Davey?
Peace.
Peace.
There they are.
- What are they up to?
- Some kinda Indian mumbo-jumbo.
[CRACKLING]
I don't know very much about
this promise-to-marry ceremony.
All I remember is what I saw
when I was a very small boy.
You saw? Small boy
is not supposed to see.
Well, it was dark. I
didn't see very much.
For shame!
It don't matter what they're doing. I'll
never get a better shot at that Indian.
Hold it.
I will guard you with all my
strength in all the years to come.
And I will serve you well
in all the years to come.
Will you die fighting,
or begging for your life?
I do not want to fight you.
Have you lived so
long with the white man
- that you have forgotten our customs?
- It is wrong to kill.
It is wrong to take the woman
meant to be another man's wife.
You will fight for her.
If I must.
[BREATHLESS] I will not kill you. We
are both Utes. We can become friends.
You have won.
Bright Moon is yours.
Go.
Give me that knife.
Now, let's see that Davey
talk himself out of this.
[INDISTINCT]
According to our laws and customs,
it was your right to kill White Wolf.
I could not kill him. Alive,
he will someday be a friend.
You speak with wisdom.
Lone Spear, I fought
for Bright Moon.
Our custom gives
you the right to her.
Does she feel as you do?
I could not be more
happy, my father.
We are happy, too, that our sacred
ground belongs again to the Utes.
So that your life together may
begin there, as it rightfully should.
Go now.
[HORSES APPROACHING]
- HOSS: Howdy.
- Howdy, Hoss.
- What can I do for you?
- Hoss, I got a little problem.
- What kind of problem?
- Murder.
These two men say they saw Davey
kill an Indian by the name of White Wolf.
- Threw a knife in his back and run off.
- I don't believe that.
They brought in the body with the
knife still sticking in it, no other wound.
He was probably fighting
over that young squaw.
Hoss, I got to ask Davey
some questions. Where is he?
He's gone to live with the Utes.
Hm. Well, I guess I'll just have
to ride in there and get him.
Hold up a minute, Sheriff. Let
me get my horse. I'll ride with you.
So, you see, Chief, the sheriff here
wants to take Davey into Virginia City.
The man you know as
Davey is a Ute of this tribe.
Yes, sir, I know, but you see,
we're up against the law now, Chief.
He just wants to take him
in for questioning, that's all.
- He did not kill White Wolf.
- Did you see the fight?
No, but my daughter, Bright Moon,
was there and told me how it was.
Well, two witnesses say they saw
Davey throw a knife in White Wolf's back.
Do you say she lies?
I don't say anybody lies.
Not yet. What I am saying is
I'm gonna take that boy in for trial.
He is a Ute. You
cannot have him.
Don't be telling me what
I can do and what I can't!
- You're talking to the law.
- Now, wait a minute, fellas.
There's gotta be some way
to straighten this thing out.
The boy and Bright Moon
are beyond your reach.
They are on sacred ground, Ute
ground, forbidden to all white men.
He's right. The Governor's
already signed that treaty by now.
If you go in there, you're gonna
be starting trouble, shooting trouble.
- It is sacred ground...
- Hoss, a crime's been committed.
Now, sacred ground or no
sacred ground, I gotta have the boy.
Wait a minute. Sheriff,
what would happen
if I went in there alone and got him?
That is if the chief would permit me.
- I'll just go to the boundary.
- You'll bring him in?
Yeah, I'll bring him in if you promise
to stay right here and wait for me.
All right. Make it quick.
Your friend Hoss.
- Dave, I gotta talk to you.
- What do you want?
White Wolf is dead and
they think you killed him.
Come, enter. We will talk.
That law work pays
pretty good, don't it?
Not too bad.
You seem like a nice fella. Be a
pity to see you lose that badge.
What makes you
think I'm gonna lose it?
One thing you always
hear about them Cartwrights
is that they're mighty
good to their friends.
Yeah, that Davey's been
on their payroll a long time.
I ain't saying Hoss
would break the law,
but on the other hand, he ain't
above helping an old friend get away.
Even if that friend happens to be a
knife-throwing, back-stabbing murderer.
You let them two Utes
get a head start on you
and you ain't ever gonna get
near enough to spot their dust.
Come on.
Deputy told the chief that they found
an Indian knife in White Wolf’s back
and that he had to bring you in.
But White Wolf was
alive when we left him.
But this deputy sheriff's
got a couple of witnesses
that claim they saw
you throw the knife.
- It's that Judd and Skinner.
- Those two.
Lies. Every word lies!
Hell! Look, Davey, all you
gotta do is ride in with me,
and tell Judge Nelson how it happened,
then it'll all be over and done with.
No, Hoss, it won't.
The word of two Indians will not stand
up against the word of two white men.
- They'll hang me.
- [HORSES APPROACHING]
HOSS: You promised
me you'd stay back there...
I'm sorry, Hoss, I
gotta have that boy.
This is Ute ground. It's sacred
ground. Don't you understand that?
- Hoss, I'm gonna do my duty.
- I'll tell you what you're gonna do.
You're gonna start a war,
that's what you're gonna do.
All right, so I start a war.
[GUNSHOT]
You've already made enough foolish
mistakes, Sheriff. Put that gun away.
[GUNSHOT]
One false move and
we're all dead men.
Four white men on Ute
ground, sacred ground.
I'm just trying to do my duty, Chief,
trying to bring a murderer in to trial.
- Who do you call a murderer?
- Davey, there.
- And you would have a trial?
- In Virginia City.
On Ute ground,
we have Ute trial.
Here and now.
Did you throw a knife
into White Wolf’s back?
- No, I did not.
- My daughter!
Were you with him when
he fought White Wolf?
Yes, my father, I was.
And what he has
just said, is this true?
It is true.
These two say they
saw the knife thrown.
- That's right.
- I say you both lie.
- No, sir, it's the truth.
- You bet your life.
We will see.
Then we'll have a trial.
Which of you fights for the
white man to prove the boy lies?
Wait a minute, Chief, a knife
fight isn't gonna prove anything.
Besides, you're only
starting another murder.
In your courts, some men put
their hands on a book, and lie.
In a Ute trial, some men feel the
knife's kiss of death at the throat.
And still lie.
Some men, but very few.
Which of you fights?
I choose you.
Hoss, stop this.
You can stop it.
Our land, Hoss Cartwright!
Your father signed the
treaty giving it back to us.
Ute land, Ute law.
Unless the word of
your father is worthless.
Ute land, Ute law.
You.
Fight!
Now we will see who lies.
Fight.
- Did I lie?
- No.
- Did you kill White Wolf?
- No.
- It wasn't me.
- Then who?
Judd. Hates every
redskin he ever saw.
Hates you more than any.
When he saw a chance to
put a knife in White Wolf...
Let him up, Davey.
We all know the truth now.
Come on, you two.
We got some talking
to do back in town.
HOSS: Dave, just because
you've gone back to your people
don't mean you can't come
back to the Ponderosa for a visit.
- You come and see us, you hear?
- I will.
And bring your wife.
ANNOUNCER: This has
been a color production
of the NBC television network.