Taza, Son of Cochise Page #2

- As an auxiliary to the army.

- Armed?

- And uniformed.

- This I will do.

Are you willing to accept it

even it jeopardizes your army career?

I realize that, sir. But I trust Taza.

Well. I agree.

Release the captives!

I will never betray you, Nantan.

"Nantan"?

When an Apache calls you "Nantan",

he means you're a great leader,

a good friend.

And he will protect you with his life.

Put out the fire!

Weeks later,

the Apache nation led by Taza

left their beloved mountains

and moved to the San Carlos Reservation.

Taza, come in.

I have your uniforms.

- Well, it's yours.

- My people are restless.

They keep asking about the tools.

The seed, the sheep you promised.

They're on their way.

Should be here tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

- Good.

- Try for size.

It will easier fit my body,

than my mind.

- What is it?

- Message from Fort Apache.

The Sixth Cavalry

has captured Geronimo.

Captured? Geronimo?

Yes.

Will he and his people be brought here

in the reservation?

Certainly.

They'll be here in a few days.

We'll be ready for them.

Taza!

It's yours.

- Fine horse.

- Courtesy of the Army.

Thank you, Nantan.

Detail! Prepare to mount!

Mount!

Good luck.

Forward!

- What is it?

- Geronimo was captured by soldiers.

Our last hope.

Maybe they'll bring him

in the reservation.

- Without his weapons.

- He is still Geronimo.

With him here

we'll find our way out to this...

Detail! Prepare to dismount!

Dismount!

- Sergeant.

- Yes, sir?

Break out the uniforms

and the equipment.

Yes, sir.

Taza, it's up to you now. Good luck.

He led us to this barren land

and now he betrays us.

Father, that's not true.

He moved us here to keep the peace.

He thinks of his people.

In her father's presence

a girl should hold her tongue.

I trust no one

who wears a soldier coat.

Last night at the council fire,

I told you evil Apaches

would not be punished by the White Eyes

but by the Apache Reservation Police.

I'll choose these policemen

from among our warriors.

It is strange to see

an Apache wear a soldier coat.

You must trust me.

Hear me!

I want warriors

for the Reservation Police.

I want Apaches

who think of their people.

Who are able, if they have to,

to punish a friend,

a father or a brother.

Come forward when you hear

your name, if you can do what I ask.

Chato! Tubac!

Naiche.

Naiche, do not turn your back

on your people.

Kayita!

Eskina!

Maco!

Oona.

What's wrong?

Nothing, Taza. You just startled me.

I saw a look of trouble.

I look at you, Taza,

and I see a soldier coat.

Which my father hates.

Grey Eagle is old.

He has old wounds, old hates.

I have to live with them.

Not for too long.

Soon I'll take you for my wife.

When? How soon?

When I can settle our people

I'll think of you and me.

Forgive me, Taza, for giving you grief.

I know your burden is heavy.

Oona.

- Have faith in me.

- I have, Taza, I have.

Come in.

- What is it?

- Geronimo.

He'll be here before sunset.

- How did you find it out?

- I saw smoke signals at dawn.

He was answered by the Jicarillas

and my Chiricahua.

Geronimo has been guarded

by the Sixth Cavalry.

How could he be sneaking out

smoke signals?

- Squaws at cook fires.

- I'll be darned.

It takes an Apache to watch an Apache.

Taza, keep a close eye on Geronimo.

Where do you plan

to let them build their wickiups?

Next to my Chiricahua.

We'll see if he makes no trouble.

- Has Geronimo many followers?

- His names is magic.

They're many who would ride with him

if they had guns.

Taza.

Better I be blind than see

an Apache in a soldier coat.

Geronimo has been blind

to the ways of peace.

You mean, the ways of Cochise.

The hate I had for your father

I now have for you.

Just as Cochise did,

I will always challenge you.

Geronimo,

Chief of the Mogollon Apaches.

And Lobo, his lieutenant.

- How many are they?

- 27 warriors, 7 women and 10 kids.

44 in all. That tallies.

Geronimo, I hope

we'll walk together in peace.

Never in peace.

I leave you to the Reservation Police.

- Give them instructions and report me.

- Yes, Nantan.

"Nantan"!

The Captain is our friend.

Because of him

you are not in Fort Apache.

Anyone in a soldier coat is my enemy.

Have you not had enough of fighting?

Of stealing and killing.

Of hunger and cold...

We'll give you blankets and food.

Start building the wickiups.

Geronimo.

Where is Taza is taking Geronimo?

An hour from here,

the Redsand Mountains.

Where's my daughter?

Find Taza and you'll find Oona.

Taza!

I'll join you later.

Taza, you must take me away from here.

I can't without the word of your father.

That is the Apache law and it is sacred.

Would you not break the law,

even for me?

We can't think of you and me now.

When Geronimo is settled,

I'll bring presents to your father.

Make it soon, please!

There were smoke signals from our village.

Did you see them?

Was it Naiche?

What is wrong?

I feel we're being watched.

No one is there. This is important.

Who gave the signals?

- Naiche, Skinya and...

- And?

And my father.

If you hear any word of a breakout,

you must tell me.

I will. I will.

Taza is an enemy.

You will tell him nothing.

- Here you'll built your wickiups.

- Then what?

Do we sit here on this evil land?

We'll starve to death.

- You'll be given sheep and corn.

- Corn?

Sheep? We are warriors, hunters.

Not traitors.

- Like that Taza.

- You betrayed the Apache with war.

With the talk of war.

I warn you now,

do not make a wrong move.

Yeah.

There is no warrior as brave,

as strong or as wise as Geronimo.

- Yet he let the soldiers take him.

- Why?

The soldiers gave us no rest.

Food was gone,

our horses worn out, no bullets.

And now Geronimo

will plant corn and raise sheep.

Not while I have money...

300 dollars.

I took this from the White Eyes

and I'll give it back for bullets.

300 dollars. This is good.

It is only talk if we don't find

someone who will sell us what we want.

- We know someone.

- His name is Tiswin. One day to the North.

The police coats!

What can we do?

Taza and his soldiers

watch every move we make.

We'd have to bring

the stupid White Eyes instead of Taza.

If someone kills Taza's friend,

Captain Burnett...

The Great Soldier Chief would have

to put and end to the Police.

Oona.

Grey Eagle?

He watched us last night.

He heard what we said.

- I'll kill him.

- No, Taza, you must not.

- My father has a right to beat me.

- I know the Apache law.

You did nothing to be punished for.

Taza, I could not sleep last night.

- The pain will go away.

- It is not that.

My father has a gun hidden.

Last night he gave it to Lobo.

If your father wanted to kill me,

he'd do it himself.

The bullets are meant for someone else.

Please, Taza, be careful.

Tomorrow I'll bring presents

to your father

and take you as my wife.

But now I must find Lobo.

Chiricahuas!

The White Eyes have kept the promise.

They have send us the plows,

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