Heaven & Hell: North & South, Book III (1994): Season 1, Episode 1 - Episode #1.1 - full transcript

This is John Jakes.
Before the Civil War...

northerner George Hazard and
southerner Orry Main...

met as cadets at West Point.

They and their families
became lifelong friends...

but they made an enemy of the
evil and sadistic Elkanah Bent.

Bent also came to hate
Orry's young cousin...

Charles Main, who
served under him.

George married Constance Flynn...

while Orry fell in love with
and married Madeline Fabray.

The two families remained close
until the Civil War divided them.

Fire.



George and Orry fought
on opposite sides,

both rising to the
rank of General...

while secretly maintaining
their friendship.

Maybe it's up to us...

to start healing the
wounds of this nation.

Charles Main served
the Confederacy

as a scout behind enemy lines.

Elkanah Bent spent the war...

smuggling black-market food
and arms into the South...

while having an affair with
Orry's cunning sister, Ashton.

She was jealous of her brother
and hated his wife, Madeline.

Toward the war's end...

Orry and Charles destroyed all of
Bent and Ashton's evil plans...

and Bent was killed.



Now the war is over...

and Mont Royal has been burned
to the ground by renegades.

Orry and Madeline have
lost everything...

and they're staying at a wealthy
friend's home in Richmond...

while trying to find food for the

hungry all across
the defeated South.

Now Ashton and Bent, alive through
some bitter quirk of fate...

come to seek Orry out...

Stop, right here.

Each with a different
plan in mind.

Look at what we have here.

My good old friend, Orry Main.

I've waited a long time for this.

Now you be careful.
Remember the plan, El.

I couldn't bargain
money out of Orry,

him being angry at me and all...

but I'm sure that you could
do such a nice job of it.

Don't you worry your pretty
little feet about that.

It's going to be business,
pure and simple.

Your brother wants
to feed the South.

Since Yankee conquerors can't be
bothered with such trivialities...

I'm the man he has to deal with.

He thinks I have what he needs.

I will prevail.

I know where you're going to be
and I will meet you there...

however, I'd like to have a few
words with Madeline first.

So you go on and do the
best that you can.

That's just what I'm going to do.

Move.

Ashton?

- Miss Ashton to you, Jane.
- I'll get Madeline.

Uppity. Far too uppity.

I could scarcely believe
it when Jane told me.

Why, yes, of course.

Those Negroes do tell
strange tales, don't they?

What are you doing here?

Laying claim, I
believe they call it.

Mr Main never did show
me proper respect.

He ruined my reputation
with lies and slander.

I'll see him in hell
before I deal with him.

- Mr Bent, Miss Ashton...
- Shut your mouth.

Stop. Right here.

- Get out of here.
- Yes, sir.

Get out.

Orry Main.

Your life is over, Main.

I paid you back for
your arrogance.

Now I'm going to take care of your
good friend, George Hazard...

and your precious
cousin, Charlie Main.

Charlie ever tell you what he
did to me down in Texas Way?

And you crippled me...

just like yourself.

You thought you
burned me all up...

but you just got a piece of me.

You want to see
what you did to me?

Here.

I intend to take
back everything that

you and Orry have taken from me.

- We've done no such...
- Your home...

the land, Mont Royal,
all of it back.

- Ashton, you can't do that.
- I can't?

But of course I can, and I will.

And I will use your little
secret as the key to it all.

I'll bring you both
down so hard...

you'll think the great horned God
of Hades has descended upon you.

Ashton, please.

So, my dear Madeline,
my advice to you is:

Enjoy what you have while
you still have it.

My Lord.

Don't tell me you're going to
act the grieving sister now.

What in God's name have
you done, you fool?

I've righted a grievous wrong.

Where's the money? It was supposed
to just be about the money.

Money? What the hell is money?

I never intended to do
business with your brother.

And he never would
have dealt with me

with his antiquated
sense of honour.

And now he's dead.

- What about me?
- You?

I don't need you to do
what I'm going to do.

I never needed you.

Lord.

George, you know dwelling on dark
memories creates a darkened heart.

I guess Orry's death
has brought back

some memories too recent to bury.

I had to search for this.

That old half-dollar that you and
Orry split so many years ago.

We each kept a half and pledged
to mend it together someday.

And now that day will never come.

Darling, I know you
miss him terribly.

I can't believe he's gone.

My God, Constance, he survived
it all, the wars, the wounds.

Only to have some coward knife him
dead. Where's the sense in that?

Poor Madeline and the baby
must be suffering so.

Yes.

Things are so grim in
the South right now...

and she's all alone now.

I know.

Have you thought
about going there?

Yes, I have, but...

I'm sure it would be a great
comfort to her, George.

And perhaps it would help ease
the pain that you're suffering.

The foundries and the ironworks
do well under Mr Ouinlan.

We're more than comfortable.

I don't know, Constance.

George, I know you.

I trust you and your love.

Go to Mont Royal. Help ease
the pain and suffering there.

Orry would've done
the same for you.

St. Louis. Next stop, two hours.

Porter, some help, please?

May I be of assistance,
madam? Charles Main.

Gallant.

- Captain? Lieutenant?
- Private.

New to the cavalry.

Truly?

I do not have a mind
for uniforms...

but your manner is most
deceptively genteel.

I'm a southerner, madam. Manners
count a great deal down there.

- If you'll allow me...
- Yes.

- You know Trump's playhouse?
- Yes.

- Take the lady there.
- Yes, sir.

If you please.

- You're an actress?
- I am, indeed.

You know the theatre?

No. I've seen Edwin
Booth. That's about it.

You will hear of Willa Parker,
and perhaps come to watch.

Driver.

Squad, on my command you'll
mount and move into formation.

Squad, prepare to mount.

Squad, mount.

Corporal Main.

Squad, rest.

I see progress with the
recruits, Corporal.

Not much, but progress.

Give these horses a rest before
they get confused and go wild.

Yes, sir. Right away.

Main.

Squad, dismissed.

Major Shagrue, I know
that corporal, Major.

He was at West Point, sir.

Graduates of the Point who
fought for the South...

should be excluded
from the amnesty.

Perhaps, Captain. But he's in my
unit now, and Corporal May...

His name is Main,
sir. Charles Main.

He was an underclassman
at the Point.

I had to put him on
report many times for

actions bordering
on insubordination.

As far as I'm concerned...

Corporal Charles May
is one of the best

damn horse trainers
I've ever seen...

including me, and I'm pretty good.

You leave him be, Captain.
Do I make myself clear?

Yes, sir.

"Be the attorney
of my love to her:

"Plead what I will be,
not what I have been

"Not my deserts, but
what I will deserve:"

Damn.

"Shall I be tempted
of the devil thus?"

And is this Elizabeth
come to torment Richard?

Yes. I'm Willa Parker, Mr Trump.

Eddie Booth wrote to
you on my behalf.

- Booth?
- Yes.

Yes, I've heard of him.

He thinks he's great, but he's
really quite second-rate.

His brother was quite a marksman,

though, particularly
at close range.

I've never heard of you, my dear.

I've played Portia and Beatrice...

Can you do arithmetic?

- Arithmetic?
- I don't need an actress.

I need someone to manage the
books before I go bankrupt.

I also need someone to keep me
sober till after the performances.

But I'm an actress.

Of course, and I'm sober as
a church warden sometimes.

Mr Booth told me
that if I arrived...

Blast Mr Booth.

He says you have talent, that
you are bright and clever.

Then you can use me.

As I said before, I
need a caretaker.

I'm the star. I'm the person
people pay money to see.

Take care of me, and
I'll try to fit you

into some rather
minor roles in time.

- No.
- No.

What do you want, child?

I will keep your books for you...

and tuck you into bed when
you fall into your cups.

But I want good roles.

By God, everyone
thinks they can act.

Very well. We'll give you a try.

Off.

I am not a servant.

I will, however, see you
one hour before curtain...

sober.

By God.

Madeline, somebody's coming.

Lord.

It's Cooper.

Your brother-in-law.

Welcome to the new
Mont Royal, Cooper.

This is your nephew, Orry.

What brings you here?

Passing by.

Thought I'd pay my respects.

And survey my home.

I do hold the mortgage, you know.

You look thirsty. Come
and have some water.

I'm returning from Columbia.

I had to sign a damnable
loyalty oath to the Yankees.

"To the victor goes the
honour and the spoils."

A loyalty oath.

How can I be loyal to the people
who destroyed all that I love?

But you signed it.

I didn't have much choice.

But then, we all have
to survive, don't we?

You've been busy.

Clever.

We've worked the garden...

and the vegetable crop has
been very good to us.

And how do you plan
to pay the Negroes?

With shares from the harvest.

- Have you lost your mind?
- Not in the least.

If Mont Royal is to thrive again,

that is going to
take new thinking.

For your sake, or
little Orry's sake...

I do hope this works.

But mark it well, you
miss one payment

on that mortgage, and
you'll be out...

lock, stock, and barrel, and
on the road with your Negroes.

Orry wouldn't have wanted that.

That's why he gave you the
paper regarding the land.

Orry is gone.

Believe me, I do hope you succeed.

I want that for the
sake of the family.

I do hope you understand the
depths of my sincerity, Madeline.

I never misdoubted it.

Good day, my dear, and
good luck to you.

That man don't much
like the change

that's going on around here.

Change comes harder for
some people, Jane.

One ticket. Front
row centre, please.

Hello.

- Private.
- It's corporal.

Excuse me.

Anything else?

Dinner with you this
evening after the show.

I'd love to.

Mr Gettys.

The illustrious Mr Main.

I've come apiece. I
could use a drink.

Sir, you must have
come by Mont Royal.

Your sister-in-law
couldn't give you a drink?

Water's one thing.

Sir, do step right in.

You know, there's some fancy
doings up at Mont Royal.

Nothing fancy about a
few fields of crops.

No, I'm talking about the school.

The Negro school.

Madeline Main been
borrowing all over

the country for
lumber and hardware.

Yeah.

She's gonna educate
her coloured folk,

so they can be as
good as you and me.

Ain't that something?

- You can't be serious.
- But I am.

There's word of it all
over the country.

This is nice, isn't it? Yeah.

Now, those creatures, they
have grand ideas, poor things.

It was the Yankees.

The Yankees made them believe
that they could be...

good as or better than us.

But then you and me, we
know that never can be.

Of course, Miss
Madeline Main would

have other thoughts on the matter.

You ever heard of
a word "kuklos "?

It's a Greek word.
It means "circle."

I heard of the Klan.

We have ourselves a
branch right here.

You ought to come
around once in a while.

We could use a man of
breeding like yourself.

Not interested.

You might be, and right
soon, Mr Cooper Main.

The war may be lost...

but the cause ain't.

Niggers and leaguers

Get out of the way

We're born of the night

And vanish by day

No nations have we

But the flesh of a man

And love niggers best

The Ku Klux Klan

but for the Bureau of Education...

I never dreamt we'd
be so blessed...

to find a teacher this
quickly, Miss Chaffee.

I must warn you, Mrs Main, I was
an abolitionist before the war.

Does that disturb you?

Before the war, it might have.

It wouldn't disturb Jane in the

least, then or now.
Would it, Jane?

No.

Never would.

Now, don't go thinking Madeline
Main is wrong-minded, either.

During the war, she
spent herself...

feeding, clothing, and
sheltering hundreds of us.

Worked herself to the bone.

The men who are building it...

they were once slaves
at Mont Royal.

Now they have their
own parcels of land,

and they will share in the crops.

Isaac Kano supervises.

A fine man.

You'll be seeing him frequently if
Jane has anything to say about it.

I shall require a platform
for my table at that end.

And I want windows
large as possible...

so the students may enjoy
the full use of good light.

- Agreed?
- Agreed.

Then you accept?

With enthusiasm.

- You sent for me, missis?
- Yes, Isaac, I did.

Try this on.

- No...
- Please.

This belonged to my
late husband, Isaac.

And now I want you to have it.

- No, madam. I...
- No, please.

You can wear it on
your wedding day.

You're still planning on
having a wedding, aren't you?

We're not hopping over some
broomstick like in the old days.

Yes, madam.

We're having us one
fine wedding with

a real preacher, and everything.

And we want you to be
there with us, madam.

Isaac, will you stop calling
me "madam" and "missis"?

Those days are long gone.

Yes...

Madeline.

You make me feel so
fine and proud...

Madeline.

We can't thank you nearly enough.

You don't have to.

You already have.

Good to see you.

Mrs Main.

You are no longer welcome in
this Christian house of worship.

Not any more.

I beg your pardon, Reverend?

Coloureds can't worship
in God's house no more.

I'm talking about you, Mrs Dark.

Excuse me?

I seen the daguerreotype
photograph of your grandma...

and it may be long
gone, but I seen it.

So have the others.

Cooper Main knows it, too,
ain't that right, Cooper?

Shut your mouth, Gettys.
Shut your damn mouth.

Boy, don't you go
damning me on Sunday.

Now, it is a fact that Mrs
Main is one-eighth Negro.

So go on, Mrs Dark.
Get on out of here.

I will return for you after the
service is over, Prudence.

No, you won't.

There is no Christian God blessing
this house of abomination.

You are filth, Gettys.

You shame me.

Boy, you better get a
grip on yourself...

because there ain't
no place for honour

in a world gone mad with defeat.

There is only death
and destruction...

and the hope that we can get
things right again for ourselves.

And I know you feel just
like we do, don't you, now?

Now...

I ain't about to fight you.

But I will offer you
my hand in friendship

on behalf of the brethren here.

You see? There ain't no
chivalry left in the South.

Cooper.

Come with us.

I do hope we'll be
welcome here, Mrs Main.

Every rung goes higher, higher

Every rung goes higher, higher

Every rung goes higher

Look.

Lord, have mercy.

What is the matter?

Miss Madeline, come on
in here. Come on, now.

You all move on down,
now. Come and sit here.

Now, watch your step.

Praise the Lord.

We are climbing Jacob's ladder

We are climbing Jacob's ladder

We are climbing Jacob's ladder

Soldiers of the Cross

How do you do, sir?

Afternoon, sir.

Madeline.

George.

Look at you. You're
more lovely than ever.

- I'm awfully dirty.
- Even so, all the more beautiful.

Where's Constance?

She's at home in Lehigh
Station with the children.

I cabled I was coming.
Didn't you get it?

Cabled?

It's probably still in
Charleston waiting delivery.

Only bad news travels
swiftly, I'm afraid.

Madeline, I can't...

I can't tell you how sorry
I am about Orry's death.

Murder.

Orry was murdered, George.

But life at Mont Royal goes on,
and there is so much to do.

It eases the pain.

Let's get you a drink.
It's good to see you.

I know I wouldn't
be alive today...

if Orry and Charlie hadn't broken
me out of that confederate prison.

How is Charlie? Have
you heard from him?

Not in some time. He headed
West, that's all I know.

His son Gus, he's with some
good people in Chicago.

And Orry's killer, what
do you know about him?

What law remains in the South,
George, is in the form of...

troops of occupation and
night-riding vigilance committees.

No one knows the identity
of Orry's killer. No one.

- How long has this man been here?
- Weeks.

He was fished out of
the river ranting

and raving, so we
keep him restrained.

He's developed some
sort of brain fever.

Sir, how do you feel today?

Captain.

I've achieved the rank of captain.

Captain what?

I don't remember my name.

I remember...

the once great and sovereign
state of Georgia.

I remember West Point...

where my superiors compared my
tactical manoeuvres to Napoleon's.

- Captain...
- Jefferson Davis.

If Jefferson Davis had not failed
to recognise my abilities...

the South would not
be suffering this

humiliation at the
hands of the North.

I wish to be released from
this institution, sir.

I have an honourable history
of service with the South.

- Seems quite lucid to me.
- But, sir...

Release him immediately. Leave the
bed space for truly sick men.

One by four equals four.
Now pay attention.

- One by seven equals...
- Seven.

Now repeat after me. One
by seven equals seven.

Good. Now we'll go right
on to the threes.

Three by two equals six. Good.

Three by three equals nine. Good.

Everything was built right here.

The wood was salvaged
from the old house...

then it was cut by hand and
finished much the same way.

The schoolhouse, as well.

They did a fine job.

But surely it would
have been cheaper

to have the lumber
cut by a local mill.

There is no such thing, George.

Sherman's troops laid waste to

everything they got
their hands on.

Isaac Kano and the other men from
the plantation did the work.

Forgive me for asking, but
how much did it cost?

Mr Hazard, how very rude of you.

Miss Chaffee, Orry Main
was my best friend.

I come down here, and
I find his widow...

labouring in the fields
like a common farmhand.

I see her table is spread with
an absence of meat or poultry...

and I see her hands
are rubbed raw.

Forgive me, ladies.

Would you indulge us with
a few moments of privacy?

You go to Jane, honey.
That's a sweetheart.

I don't intend to be rude,
Madeline, but I do speak directly.

How much are you in debt?

There is no debt, George.

We live quite simply off the land.

And though meat is rare...

I think the food is quite good,
as your empty plate attests.

Madeline, I can help.

Please, accept it...

for the sake of our friendship and
what's gone between our families.

I know you mean well
with your offer.

But if Mont Royal is to survive,
it must do so under my hand.

Charity will just
tarnish that effort.

Don't you see?

I want to speak to Cooper.

Cooper? He hates northerners.

I'm afraid the war has taken its

toll on his pride.
He won't see you.

But he's a businessman
now. He'll see me.

I know how you feel about charity,
but I've got a better idea.

- A partnership.
- Partnership?

I want to build a
sawmill, right here

in Mont Royal, for you to manage.

Imagine it. The only
mill for miles around...

right here, where the logs can
be floated down the river.

The South needs
rebuilding, and you

can aid that, as well as yourself.

Madeline, what do you say?

I have nothing to offer in return.

Do you know what this is?

Yes. Orry told me. I
have the other half.

Then let's make it whole and
start mending our lives.

This will be our contract.

Mr Hazard, sir...

I do believe we have
ourselves a deal.

What was the war like?

The war left me very cold.

You're not cold.

You're warm and alive.

So it would seem, wouldn't it?

Can I ask you another question?

I imagine you're going
to ask it anyway,

so why don't you just go ahead?

Why stay in the Army?

There's nothing left for
me in the South any more.

Out West there's a whole
country to be found.

There's a need for
soldiers with experience.

Fighting Indians.

No, I don't want to
fight anyone unless

they pick a fight with
me. It's what I do.

I think there's better
in you, Charlie.

So have others, and times
have proved them wrong.

Times change.

You don't give up easy, do you?

No.

Charlie?

Not here.

Not for my first time with you.

You ever been in love?

This sounds like one
of those questions

that leads into a long discussion.

No.

Answer me.

Yes, I have been.

Who was she?

That was a long time ago.

I think I could love
you, Charles Main.

Not today.

Be back soon. I expect
this to be done.

All right.

Here you go.

- I got the other one out back.
- All right.

This is not charity, Madeline.

It's the same deal I
was going to offer

Cooper, but we can
do it without him.

In a year you'll own
all the machinery.

We'll split the profits
60 to you, 0 to me.

0-0.

Deal, but with one condition.

Hazard Iron builds a steam engine?

Business and industry, Madeline.

I paid for fun,
lady. You ain't it.

Could have had better
from a dead cow.

If you want fun, take
a bath next time.

If I have to bathe, I'd
rather do it to myself.

Then do it.

I told you to take a bath.

Excuse me. I paid for
the whole night.

Why, hello. Aren't you ambitious?

But I don't really
require the usual.

I don't do the unusual.

Unless, of course, you pay me,
not Rosa. Then it's double.

That's fine.

I'll get some clean sheets.

- See, I sell pianos.
- I'm not in the market.

I sell Hochstein pianos
to church elders.

I'm one tuckered man.

I just need a little company
and a good night's sleep.

People call me Fen. I don't
much favour the rest.

As long as you don't bring
the piano to bed...

you can have as much sleep
and cuddling as you'd like.

Madame Rosa says you're
a lady of quality.

Why, yes.

Yes, I am.

I'm sorry you've
fallen on hard times.

And you, my dear sir, sell pianos.

We all take money
however we can get it.

Yes, of course. Ouite.

Is that your home?

Yes. It's the most
beautiful place on earth.

And some day soon I'm going to
return and claim it for my own.

Perhaps I can be of service
in that endeavour.

Maybe you can.

However, I should
tell you that the

last person who
tried to help me...

died a most unfortunate death.

Let me help you with this.

- Will that be all?
- Yes.

I have seen so much injustice...

and it only gets worse.

That's why I feel so strongly
about the Negroes and the Indians.

You've seen city life, but
read about injustice...

and there's a world of difference.

I don't understand.

How can you save one and
fight all the rest?

I don't want to fight anyone, but
I'm a soldier. That's what I do.

But why do you have to fight?

See, the Cheyenne and the
Comanche, they have a reason.

They're fighting to protect
their way of life.

How would you feel if someone was

trying to destroy
your way of life?

It already was, and I
didn't much care for it.

When will you be back?

Excuse me, gentlemen.

- It depends.
- Will I see you again?

Yes.

Beg your pardon, madam...

but I mean no insult
to you or your beauty.

- Not so for you, Johnny Reb.
- Go away, Venable.

Captain Venable to you.

Only on the parade ground.
Go away, Venable.

The man who promoted
you to sergeant

may have forgotten the war...

but I haven't.

I have power over you, and
always will, in this man's army.

If you want to speak about power,
let's go outside right now.

You'll pay, Sergeant.

May I take your order?

No, that'll be all.

If you don't mind, I believe
I've lost my appetite.

Charlie.

I have to go.

Reveille isn't until:00.
Come back to bed.

I have to take my
horse to the post.

I'm going to Chicago.

Chicago?

I have a son. I
haven't seen him in

a while. Tomorrow's his birthday.

Friends of mine, a
brigadier and his

wife, take care of
him for me up North.

I didn't know how to
explain it to you.

What else haven't you told me?

Am I just your kept woman?
Does your wife know...

- about your actress whore?
- I don't have a wife.

Willa, you once asked me
if I was ever in love.

And her name was Augusta.

We were going to be
married during the war...

but she was killed in Virginia.

She left me a son.

How old is he?

Five.

- What's his name?
- Gus.

I swore I'd never let
myself feel this way again.

Do you?

I don't know.

Will you come back?

I don't know.

What do you have to say now, Main?

Looks like you got
me outnumbered...

but then again, that'd be your
way, wouldn't it, Venable? Boys.

Better odds than most raped and
murdered women had in Kentucky.

I wouldn't know. I've never raped
and murdered anybody myself.

Your army guerrillas
killed my mother,

then raped and murdered my sister.

Display of Southern
chivalry, no doubt.

Take the son of a bitch.

Look here, my boy, you stay
here. He'll be all right.

- But, Uncle Dolph...
- Be quiet. We'll have some fun.

- Okay.
- You stay.

- Pick him up.
- Hold it.

All right, Lieutenant.

Drop that pick in your hand before
I put a hole in you, Captain.

I don't know what this is about,
save four-to-one don't seem fair.

So you better get.

Go on, get.

A kick in the head feels
right poorly, Captain.

You aim to make
that discovery? No?

Crawl out of here like the
lizard you are on all fours.

Go on.

Sergeant?

Soldier boy.

What will it be, friend? Whiskey?

Yeah.

And this one. How
much for this one?

She's the best one we got.

$2.00, and I'll tell you this,
you'll have a good time.

Excuse me, Luis...

but you seem to have forgotten
that I'm spoken for.

I'm Willard Fenway's girl now.

I don't see Fenway here
now. Do you, Rosa?

She said she's Fenway's girl.

- No, Rosa.
- Upstairs.

Damn it, Luis.

Can you make a piano?

"Hello, Fen" might be nice.

Make a piano?

I'm a drummer when it comes to
timbre, tone, and action...

but I know men who can.

We're going to make Fenway pianos.

We'll sell them to
every sporting house

and saloon this side of Chicago.

I'm through with trying to
get Mont Royal back from...

The position I've been in lately.

It's going to take capital.

It's here, under Rosa's desk.

Every other day she takes
money to the bank...

and she brings back
gold and she puts it...

in a hole underneath her desk.

- That's one crazy notion.
- It'll take a pair of us.

We're gonna have to move that
desk and get that gold out.

But we are going to do it. I'll
need some horses and a gun.

I don't have a gun.

Then get one.

All aboard.

Excuse me.

I'm trying to locate a
General George Hazard.

I'm promised a position
at the ironworks foundry.

The General's away now, and
the foundry's not hiring.

George and I got to know
each other at the Point.

We were good friends, and he
promised to hire me after the war.

He swore to me.

If the General promised...

when he returns, no doubt
he'll see you employed.

- He always keeps his word.
- As do I.

A fine quality.

Meanwhile, if you don't mind
swamping out the station...

running messages for the
telegrapher, you can work here...

- until General Hazard comes back.
- That'd be all right.

You can even bunk down
here in the baggage room.

And your name is?

Ben. Ben Ellis.

Uncle Dolph, he woke up.

No. I wouldn't do that right now.

You took a hell of
a beating. You got

more purple than a
side of bad beef.

- How long I been out?
- Four days.

What's your name, soldier?

- Charles Main.
- I'm Adolphus O. Jackson.

Where are we?

A way west into Missouri.
We're heading wester.

There we go.

What the hell is that?

It's just a little herbs
and buffalo brains.

It's a good salve, brings
down the swelling.

Put it on yourself where it hurts.

You know, the fellas that
was beating on you...

they was determined to finish
you, but I run them off.

- I guess I owe you for that.
- What was it about?

It's an old grudge.

Must be. They charged you with
desertion the next day...

so I pulled you out of there.

If you go back now, they'll
jail you or shoot you.

If the Army don't, your soldier
friends will finish that job.

So you can stick
with us if you like.

We're the Jackson Trading Company.

- This is my brother's boy Jim.
- Hi.

He's a little touched in the
head, but he's a good lad.

Well, hell.

I'm going to level with you.

I pulled you out of that fight...

because I need a man to cover
my back that can shoot.

Now, Jim here...

he tries, but he's the one
that needs caring for.

We trade with the Arapaho
and the Cheyenne.

There's considerable
profit in it, too.

I'll give you 20%...

and if you prove out, I'll
make you a full partner.

Presuming you need a partner...

do you mind me asking what
happened to your last one?

I ain't gonna lie to you. I
lost old Dean on the last trip.

He grabbed a Cheyenne woman
who had a husband...

and they carved him up.

It's sweet country out there.

They got plenty of
the fairest maidens

you ever seen that ain't married.

I get along with the Cheyenne...

because I admire them,
and I respect them.

What do you say?

Under the circumstances, it looks

like you've got
yourself a partner.

All right, Sergeant.
Can you shake?

I got lucky, ran into a waggon
train on the overland road...

and I traded some skins
for these other horses.

Got the boy working. That's good.

I never thought he'd listen to
anyone but me. How'd you do that?

It wasn't hard. I
have a boy myself.

It just takes patience.

Speaking of that, let's
load up and move out.

Want to catch the Cheyenne
before they go into hiding...

for the season of making war.

Going to learn you the
Cheyenne, Charlie.

Learn you well so you
can keep your hair.

That's it, Jim. You're doing good.

Thanks.

Let's roll it tight. Come on.

Here. Here we go. Yeah.

Sam?

Sam, I'm back.

And you return
loudly as a tempest.

- Find what's-his-name?
- No.

There is no shortage of prodigals
in this world, my dear...

nor is there a shortage
of eager young men.

You're drunk.

- Happily so.
- I've been gone for only one day.

Didn't take that long to
get drunk, roaring drunk.

- Where are the receipts?
- I don't know.

- Did you give a performance?
- I can't quite recall.

Now, now, now.

We'll find you another
soldier boy...

if you wish.

- Mrs Duncan?
- Yes.

I'm Willa Parker. I wrote to you.

It's Maureen, dear.
Please come in.

The Army calls him a deserter, but
he just received a promotion.

All he said in his letter was that
the Army wasn't working out...

and he was heading West.

Do you know about his son?

Charlie writes to him, and he
told Gus about you in his letter.

We also received
letters, but he didn't

say much more than
you know already.

Something must have gone terribly
wrong in Charlie's life.

He's not a deserter.
He was a fine soldier.

He wrote about me?

And was very flattering,
but after meeting you...

he clearly was not
flattering enough.

I'm in love with him.

Charlie is easy to love and
difficult to hold on to.

But he is forever loyal to his
commitments once they are made.

This charge of desertion
is very disturbing.

My husband, Brig. Duncan, had put
in for a transfer to St. Louis...

so that Charlie could
be near his child.

Hello, sweetheart.

This is Charlie's son Gus.

Hello, Gus. I'm Willa.

- You know my papa?
- Yes.

- He sent this to me.
- He did?

Are you the beautiful lady
that makes my papa happy?

- Yes.
- That's sweet of you to say that.

I do hope so.

All right, now. Take him home.

All right.

We did it, Madeline.

- It worked. It really worked.
- I never doubted it would.

Now all we need is some business.

Don't worry. Once the
word gets around,

business will come, believe me.

Come, sit with me awhile.

I got a letter from
Constance today.

She said that my letter to
her revealed a delight...

that she hadn't seen
in me since the war...

or since Gettysburg, to be exact.

I fought so long and hard
to destroy this place.

Isn't it funny that I should
feel some peace here at last?

It's time I went home, Madeline.

You can come back.

Bring Constance and the children.

Yes.

I love her very much, Madeline.

I know.

Come on. I'll help
you start packing.

Wire just came in for Mrs Hazard.

General Hazard is on the
Washington train tomorrow night.

Now, run along and bring
his missis the good news.

It's under here. Help me
move the desk this way.

My God, the horses
can't carry all this.

Then we'll stash it and come back.

We couldn't spend all
this in a lifetime.

But of course, we can.

Greed is a true sin.

Have you lost your mind?

It's better than losing your life.

Grab a little, and
let's get out of here.

Hurry up.

Stop. Thief.

There be your Cheyenne,
Running Wolf's band.

They're peaceable, as Cheyenne go.

Running Wolf's a real kick
if he ain't too liquored up.

You know him, then.

I've had some good trades. He
likes me better than most whites.

Yeah, Running Wolf, he's
peaceful for the most part...

but watch your step
with his women.

Adolphus, who the hell is that?

Hell. Dog soldiers.

Don't do nothing foolish,
Charlie. Just listen to me.

When I tell you to do something,
for God's sake, do it quick.

I gather this is not Running Wolf.

You gather that up right.
This is Man-ready-for-war.

I call him Scar. I
reckon you can see why.

That son of a bitch.

He's always messing up
my business dealings.

- Does this happen often?
- It does.

They're funny. Says he's
going to lift our hair.

And now what?

We're going to get down and walk
around like we own the place.

Just listen to me, Charlie,
and take good care of Jim.

Listen, Charles, grab
Jim's hand. Can you run?

Run? Yeah. I can run.

Jimmy can't run much, so
you'll have to drag him.

- Where am I dragging him to?
- Just follow me.

- Are you ready?
- No.

Ready or not, here goes.

Come on now.

We're safe. Won't
need weapons here.

This is just fun.

Running in here. That's real good.

Haven't you figured they
know how to get in...

See, it's like the
old days in Europe.

When a thief was running from the
law, he could go into a church...

- and they gave him sanctuary.
- This isn't exactly a church.

Of course it is. This
is a medicine lodge.

Same as a church to the Cheyenne.

Of course, once we walk
out that door, they'll

skin us alive and
feed us to the fish.

He says that Chief Running
Wolf will come here tomorrow.

We're safe till then, and
he'll give his verdict.

He also says that I
shouldn't have grabbed

Scar's breechclout
and humiliated him.

Tell him good advice always
comes late, doesn't it?

At least I bought us
some time, didn't I?

You saved us from
Man-ready-for-war and I thank you.

Dog soldiers, go.

Man-ready-for-war, go.

Hunt buffalo.

I truly thank you, Running Wolf.

Go, Jackson. Go fast.

All right. Charlie, watch my back.

And who's going to watch mine?

Just trust in the Lord, my boy,
and the goodness of Running Wolf.

We were about to give up on you...

but you made it just in time.

Captain, this here is one
of our quality folk.

Mr Cooper Main.

Captain. Jolly comes all the way
to us under direct orders...

from Nathan Bedford Forrest.

You come to join our happy
band of brethren, Mr Main?

Let's say I'm interested.

All the way from Charleston?

I'd say that's more than interest.

Please dismount, sir.

I don't much fancy speaking up to
a man who's merely interested.

Cooper's a good man, Captain.

Are you a good man, Mr Cooper?
You have to prove that to me.

I'm not in the habit
of proving myself.

Get the habit.

You got a mess of difficulties
here in Carolina.

You got a nigger
school underway...

and the uppity ones are
having a convention.

They're conspiring
how to take over

your businesses and
your private lives.

Soon they'll marry your
sons and daughters.

Never happen.

It's happening in
Virginia and Maryland...

and all over the North.

Try that on for size, Mr Main.

I don't have to hide my
face to show my feelings.

No, Cooper, it ain't about hiding.

Of course not.

- See, they superstitious.
- They superstitious.

And we just going to
scare them a bit.

Mr Main, since you
are the newcomer...

you are going to have the
honour of lighting the fire.

Take it.

This way, sir.

Go on, Mr Main. Light it.

Let's ride, boys.

Let's do it.

I don't even know when the
work's going to be done, honey.

Do we have to wait to get married?

I reckon not.

Titus is willing to stand as
witness before God for me.

Madeline will do the same for me.

- Miss Madeline?
- Madeline.

You still think the
old way, Isaac.

- She's my friend.
- Yeah, but she white.

Sort of.

And you worked alongside
General George Hazard.

And you shook his
hand and hugged...

and you liked it.

That was different. Old George...

- Isaac, a fire.
- That ain't no fire.

You go get Miss Madeline
and the teacher.

Don't you let nobody see you.

That ain't no fire.

That's the devil coming down
the road. Now you go on.

Go on. Git.

- "And you wonder if..."
- Madeline.

My God. Blow out the lamps.

Look.

Come on out, missy. We
know you're in there.

Either you close down
that nigger school...

or we're going to close
it down by fire.

Tonight.

Stay down.

Gettys, that hood doesn't hide
your voice, and, Cooper...

who wouldn't know
that horse of yours?

Close the school, Madeline,
please. We'll leave you in peace.

You want to burn me
down, then go ahead.

May the curse of Jesus
be on all your heads.

All of you.

You can't talk with no
niggers. Let's do it.

Come on, brethren. Let's move.

This way. Come on. Let's move it.

You all get ready for the devil.

Knock them boys out the
way. Knock them down.

Let's go now.

Isaac.

All around, boys,
through the windows,

through the doors. Burn it down.

Come on, Gettys. Do something.

You're part of this
gang, ain't you?

Let's go. Let's get out of here.

My God.

All my books.

Edwin, tell Mr Hazard I'll
be waiting up for him.

Yes, madam.

Not a sound, or I'll cut you.

You don't know me, do you?

Maybe the name's familiar.

Elkanah Bent?

I'm an old friend of your
husband's and Orry Main's.

We were up at West Point together.

Those boys used to have
a pet name for me.

Butcher. Butcher Bent.

I'm sure it was something
foolish from youth.

Now you listen here, little cow.

Your husband and his friends...

injured me.

They ruined my reputation
at West Point.

They conspired to rob me
of a military career.

Now you will answer
all my questions...

or your husband, who
is on his way home...

will die as soon as he steps his
foot through the front door.

Where are your children?

They're not here.

- They're at boarding school.
- Good.

What about Charlie Main?

Where's Charlie?

He's out West somewhere.

We only hear of him
through a Brig. Duncan.

I don't know.

He got a wife? Charlie got a wife?

He got something.

A child? He got a child?

Children...

they present such
interesting possibilities.

Don't you think?

Your husband's home.

No.

Say good night, Mrs Hazard.

Constance?

Please, please.

Bent.

I thought you were dead.

You bastard.

I'll kill you.

By God, I'll kill you.