Only the Valiant

My name is Joe Harmony.

This is my stamping ground.

I'm a scout for the Army.

Had my work cut out for me

for a long time.

Behind that pass

there is the whole 'Apache nation.

They used to come

swarming out of that pass

killing everything in sight.

Then we built a fort.

Fort Invincible.

Plugged up the pass

just like a cork in a bottle.

Things was fine for a while.

But them 'paches is pretty smart.

One day the bottle blew

the cork plum apart.

Just as I figured.

That's Tucsos.

He's the boss of all the Apaches,

the fella that started

this whole business.

You step aside, Corporal.

The Army doesn't shoot prisoners, Joe.

I'm a civilian.

We'll take him back

to Fort Winston with us.

You crazy?

This ain't no common injun.

He's just about as near to a god

as a fella can get.

If you shoot him now,

things will quiet down.

Without Tucsos stirring them up,

the rest of them injuns

would get reasonable

just as fast as they can.

If you take him in alive,

you'll have every Apache

in the territory coming after him.

We had three years of this.

You can stop it right now.

We'll take him back to Winston, Joe.

Suit yourself, Dick.

Come on.

- Lieutenant Underwood.

- Yes, sir.

Detail the men

to return to Fort Winston.

Have them inform Colonel Drumm

that we're bringing Tucsos in.

Yes, sir.

And put a burial detail to work.

I want this place looking like

a cavalry post before we leave.

Yes, sir.

That's all he ever cares about:

Leave it looking neat.

Cavalry post.

Atten-hut!

Eyes... right!

Present arms!

Send the prisoner over to the guard

and dismiss the detail.

Yes, sir.

Detail dismount!

I tell you, I ain't never

saw the likes of it.

Mike, rack that up for me.

There were 16 million Indians.

16 million of them, I tell you!

And they're running through that pass

like a bunch of crazy jackrabbits.

Oh, stop that noise.

And right there stands this fella Tucsos,

waiting to be shot.

Just waiting to be shot!

And what does our captain do?

He says, "Men, I want

this place cleaned up

and looking like a cavalry post

the first thing you do!"

And that's all he said.

By golly, it's enough

to drive a man to drink.

This is the last time I ever

go anyplace without this.

Did he have any orders

to go through the pass

or to shoot Tucsos?

How do I know?

Well, if he didn't, he wouldn't.

Orders was made to be broke, Rutledge.

Not with Captain Lance.

I ought to know that

better than anybody.

What's the matter with Saxton?

Oh, that one.

He's tired of tooting his bugle.

Wants a carbine.

You should have seen

the poor lad up there.

Shaking in his boots he was.

It was his first time.

Ah, first time.

I know all about that.

Listen, you either got it,

or you ain't got it,

and he ain't got it.

No, sir.

Why, you...

Did you want

to say something?

No.

Good.

Two cards, please.

- Hello, Captain Lance.

- Mrs. Drumm.

The Colonel's in his room.

Thank you.

Colonel.

Sit down, Captain.

Thank you, sir.

So you got him, Richard.

And they're all dead up there...

Selden, all of them.

Yes, sir.

That's horrible.

It can be worse.

There have been a few times

in my life, Richard,

when I regretted having to obey orders.

This is one of them.

I almost wish you'd

killed Tucsos up there

instead of bringing him in.

As it is, you saw these settlers

on the parade ground.

They've been coming in

for three or four days now,

looking for protection,

but it's blasted little protection they've got.

We're under-strength.

The relief column won't be here

for at least ten days.

They're sending 400 men,

which is enough to handle anything.

But if the Apaches make

a sortie to free Tucsos,

as they undoubtedly will,

this can be another Fort Invincible.

We've got to get Tucsos

up to Fort Grant right away.

The first thing tomorrow morning.

Yes, sir.

Have the adjutant

write out orders for a detail.

I'Il... I'll leave it in your hands

to choose an officer and...

and have him...

Will you please go now, Captain?

Dad?

No, thank you, dear.

- Bill?

- No, thanks.

I'll answer it.

Hello, Dick. Come in.

I was wondering where you were.

I got the same treatment, Dick,

so don't feel too proud.

I gather it was pretty grim at Invincible.

It was pretty grim.

What do you think happened?

Selden forget to put out

pickets once too often?

No. Tucsos cut off their water supply.

All he had to do then was wait.

That's a smart one, that Apache.

How about a little whiskey, Dick?

No, thanks, sir.

Not right now.

Come on, Dick, have one.

It'll relax you.

Besides, it tastes mighty good.

I'll bet it does,

but I got work to do tonight.

That's the trouble with you,

Richard Lance.

You're always working.

Do this, do that.

10,000 things to do.

And when you finally

get around to me,

it's for three minutes.

If Bill treated me like that...

If Bill was a captain

and I was a lieutenant,

he could make out the reports

and I could get here first.

Thanks. I like everything

just the way it is.

Not that you can't come and visit us

when Cathy and I are married, but...

Bill, don't talk like that.

Haven't I told you?

I'm going to propose to you tonight.

See? I got here first.

I asked for the pleasure

of the company

of the beautiful daughter

of Captain Eversham.

Lo and behold, I got it,

so I'll thank you not

to make any overtures.

Don't worry, Dick.

I'll see that they don't stay out too late.

To tell you the truth, Ed,

I'm going to get a lot of sleep

tonight anyway.

Why?

I'm taking Tucsos up to Fort Grant

first thing in the morning.

- No.

- Who wished that on you?

The Army.

Who do you think?

That's a mighty dangerous detail

the way things are.

It's not as dangerous

as keeping him around here.

Now, the beautiful daughter

of Captain Eversham,

that is why I have to sleep tonight.

Good night, Cathy.

Good night, Bill.

Good night.

Dick, will I see you before you go?

If you get up real early.

Dick.

You're enough to drive a woman insane,

running off like that.

Show me how much

you're gonna miss me.

That'll take a lot of showing, Cathy.

No, it wouldn't. Try.

That's how much I'm gonna miss you.

You better stop or I'll go over there

and shoot Tucsos and never leave at all.

I'd like that.

Good night, Cathy.

- Hey, Simpson.

- Yeah.

- Calhorn.

- Right.

- You're on a patrol tomorrow. 5:30.

- How nice.

I thought you'd like it.

Where's Kebussyan?

Probably tagging along

after Lieutenant Holloway.

I suppose you're right.

Thanks, Gilchrist.

I've done nothing for you, Murdock.

You brought Tucsos back.

Lance is taking him back

to Fort Grant tomorrow.

You going with him?

What do you think?

Well, the country's beautiful

this time of year, Mr. Murdock.

Be just as easy if the whole patrol

committed suicide tonight.

Save the Apaches a lot of trouble.

And if Lance don't wanna shoot himself,

I'll be glad to do it for him.

I wouldn't mind having

that pleasure myself.

But I'll say one thing.

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