Major Dundee Page #7

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- Irish immigrant...

- Cashiered American officer.

And Confederate renegade.

- I don't like any of them.

- Well, now, isn't that a coincidence.

Get away from me.

I have orders, appropriate to your character.

I have to take you out the back door.

- Finish it.

- The patrol. We leave now.

Leave me alone, all of you.

Company!

Sergeant Gomez.

Major.

Fire!

Lt. Graham will be a general before he's 30.

Why, come on, get out of it!

- Come on!

- Ben, for God's sakes, let me be.

Why not, Major?

You're not worth killing anyway.

Until the Apache is taken or destroyed.

January 30. We thought we had lost

three troopers in Durango...

but two returned this morning,

and we became a command again.

- Lieutenant Graham!

- Yes, sir.

When I left I gave you a specific order.

You failed to carry it out.

No, sir. You gave me a command.

From then on I gave the orders.

You surely did. Have a cigar.

Move them out, Lieutenant.

We ran from the French

as we followed the Apache...

but time was running out.

The French patrols became thicker

while we never got closer to Sierra Charriba.

- How long ago?

- Four or five hours ago.

Charriba says you're to make

your peace with your Christian God...

as you are about to join him.

We must have hurt the old man

at the river more than we figured.

At least now he's got to finish it.

So far, he's been circling west.

Some time in the next week or two

he'll hit us again in a canyon...

or the middle of a river at night, or dawn.

When are we going to stop fighting

this Indian on his own terms?

Right now.

From this point on we tuck our tail between

our legs and run for home...

- straight for the Rio Grande.

- You'd let Charriba escape?

Let's just say I'm giving him

an equal opportunity, Lieutenant.

Major, but we have to make it look good.

First swing right, then head for the river.

But we really got to move.

If we don't, he'll be waiting for us there,

just like he is now.

- How'll we know?

- We won't, until it happens.

On your horse, Lieutenant, move them out.

- Go cut him down, Sam.

- You cut him down, Major.

I think he's earned it.

March 23. Today we learned

that Riago had been a true soldier.

I bitterly regret my suspicions,

as I'm sure does the Major.

April 18. We ran from the Apaches

and the French...

then circled and headed

for the river and home.

The men were angry,

wanting to continue our pursuit.

And then suddenly we all knew

we weren't running away from anything.

We were running toward

the end of our search.

River's less than a mile from here.

This is your last chance, Major.

It's as good a place as any

to do what you got in mind.

Sergeant, if you put your pickets out

far enough...

the Apache might leave them alone.

But no matter what happens,

don't fire unless you're attacked.

Just remember your orders and hope.

Good luck, Mr. Potts.

Who will you send against me now?

Fire.

He looks so small now.

He was big enough, son.

Now, Major...

or across the river in Texas?

Right now is just fine, Ben.

You boys want a fight, I got one for you.

Get up here and look.

We had forgotten the French,

but the French had not forgotten us.

Where can we ford the river into Texas?

It's the only shallow spot within

a half day's march from here, Major.

Mount up the troop, Lieutenant,

we're going back home.

- Sergeant Gomez!

- Sir?

- Mount the troops, we're moving out now!

- Yes, sir.

Congratulations, Major.

It appears that at last

you have found yourself a real war.

- Sergeant Gomez.

- Sir?

Dismount and deploy your men...

prepare to receive a mounted cavalry charge

from your front.

They won't charge, Major. Why should they?

By holding their positions,

they hold us here for the others.

- We have to move against them.

- When I'm ready.

- Lieutenant Graham.

- Sir?

- Make ready your artillery.

- Yes, sir.

- It's ready, sir.

- Simon.

Break out the ammunition...

we're about ready

to engage the pride of Europe.

Yes, sir.

- Well, Ben?

- I'll need five men mounted.

I'll hit their flank

after you break their charge.

- Bully.

- Bully.

Lieutenant, show the colours.

- Standard-bearer!

- Sir?

Show the colours.

- Sergeant Chillum.

- Sir!

Cut the fuse for 500 yards. Elevation 20...

- Make that 28 degrees.

- Ready, sir!

Start the ball, Lieutenant.

A mile, maybe less.

They'll be coming now.

- Sergeant Gomez.

- Sir?

- The bugle will be your signal to fire.

- Yes, sir.

Company, charge!

Any of you damn gringos fire

before the signal...

I swear to God I kill you.

On my signal, the horses.

I repeat, only the horses.

Mount your men.

Take up a skirmish line

at the foot of the bluff.

Here comes the second wave, Ben.

We're ready when you are.

Rally around me!

Major, I shall see you in Texas.

You're damn right you will. Bugler!

Dundee!

All present and accounted for, sir.

Your orders, sir.

Move them out, Lieutenant, column of twos.

Column of twos.

- Trooper Ryan!

- Sir.

- Play us a tune, son.

- Yes, sir.

Forward, ho!

April 19, 1865.

After a brief but costly battle

with French irregulars...

we crossed the Rio Grande

and re-entered the United States.

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