The Black Dakotas

1

(EXPLOSION)

(PEOPLE SHOUTING)

(EXPLOSION)

Well, we're near

the end of our journey.

Mr. Marsh, our enforced association

has been most agreeable.

For me, it's been a distinct

pleasure, Mr. Paige.

Hard to believe that 2,000 miles

from this peaceful territory,

an unfortunate war is rending

our beloved nation in two.

Yes, we can be thankful that the differences

between the North and the South

haven't yet touched

the Dakota territory.

Those horsemen are chasing us.

- I haven't even got a gun, have you?

- No.

(GUNS FIRING)

Hurry, man! Hurry!

(GUNS CONTINUE FIRING)

Whoa!

Get out, both of you.

Well, sir, I suppose

you intend to rob us.

You may as well do likewise

and perhaps we can

get on with our journey.

Keep your money, sir.

We're only interested

in your dispatch case.

There's nothing in it of value,

only some unimportant papers.

Signed by

Mr. Lincoln?

Why, yes.

And they're not

important, Mr. Paige?

You know my name?

And that of your

travelling companion.

Brock Marsh, I believe.

John Lawrence?

Right.

Most happy to welcome you, sir.

Proud to know you. I've looked

forward to this moment.

These are our friends.

Warren, Stone, Gibbs.

Howdy.

Mr. Paige, your

dispatch case, please.

This is an outrage.

I represent the President.

I am in the employ

of the government,

empowered to make treaty

with the Sioux Indians.

We knew that before

you left Washington.

We even know about the gold that's

following you in a few days.

That gold is a peace

offering to the Sioux tribe,

from President Abraham Lincoln.

We think it will serve a

more worthwhile purpose

in the treasury of

President Jefferson Davis.

I take it I'm dealing

with traitors.

Traitors, rebels.

Whatever you Yankees

choose to call us.

We serve the government

of the Confederacy.

Mr. Marsh, these papers will

give you all the identification

that you need in town.

A letter of introduction

to Judge Baker. Everything.

You mean you are going

to masquerade as me?

To the best of my ability.

You see, I'm as much as a stranger

in this territory as you.

Then, what's to

become of me, sir?

You will be kept safe

in a place we know of

until this business is over.

Just a matter of days.

He mustn't escape, sir.

We have too much at stake.

You have nothing to worry about.

Warren, you'll be in charge

until we meet tonight.

I'll go on ahead.

I have a stop to make with

some of our Indian friends.

But I hope to be

in town when you arrive.

And you'd better remember

your new name.

Zachary Paige. It's my neck

in a rope if I forget.

And remember, too,

no matter what happens,

we're strangers to each other.

If you get into trouble,

I won't be able to help you.

It's up to you now.

Good luck.

Mr. Paige.

I don't care to

talk to you, sir.

Earlier today, I told you

that our journey together

had been a distinct

pleasure for me.

I lied.

- You see, I knew how it would end.

- Indeed.

- You had the advantage of me, sir.

- Yes.

I'm sorry.

But in war we have to do

many things we're sorry for.

What's this mean?

John left strict

instructions about this man.

He was perfectly safe with us.

He was not perfectly safe

as long as he was alive.

If I may say so,

neither was my neck.

Listen, Marsh, if you're only

worried about your neck...

I am.

My neck is most

important to our plan.

And nothing must stand

in the way of this plan.

Nothing.

Bury him.

(URGING HORSES)

(ALL CHATTERING)

What's the matter here?

Where's my driver?

Right in there.

What happened to him?

We were attacked by

a small band of Indians

about 20 miles out of town.

They came scrambling

out of the rock shooting.

We barely managed

to drive them off.

You did a good job.

- You the only passenger?

- Yes.

Your driver managed to

get in some good licks

before they got him.

They'll be storming

the town next.

No white man's life is

safe in Dakota anymore.

That's right.

There used to be soldiers

at the fort to protect us.

Now they're gone.

Can't even get an escort

for the stagecoach.

They're being put to better

use fighting rebels.

Well, I'd rather

they was fightin' Indians.

Drive the coach down

to Mr. Sherwood's, Charlie.

Tell him I'll pay

for Jim's funeral.

My name is Mike Daugherty.

I own the stage line.

Your name, sir?

Zachary Paige.

I'm here on a mission

from our President.

- From Mr. Lincoln?

- Yes.

I have a letter of introduction in

his own handwriting to Judge Baker.

I am Judge Baker.

How do you do, sir?

I have my credentials right

here from Mr. Lincoln.

Well, you see, friends?

My petition to the President

did carry some weight.

Sir, you are most welcome here.

And I extend my friendship

and full cooperation.

Thank you.

I'm gonna take quick advantage

of your offer, Judge.

I'd like an audience

with War Cloud,

the Sioux chief,

as soon as possible.

That can be arranged.

But those redskins are in

a scalping frame of mind.

I have authority to make any

treaty that'll satisfy them,

within reason, of course.

Uh, say now.

I'd be glad to take you out

to War Cloud, Mr. Paige.

Gimpy, I think Mike here

is the man for the job.

War Cloud has had

a warm feeling for him

ever since he learned to

speak the Sioux language.

You're elected, Mike.

War Cloud says he's the one man

in town whose word he'll take.

All right, I'll give it a try.

I can get you to him, but

understand, you can expect

anything except what you're looking

for while we're in Sioux territory.

You here to kowtow

to them, Mr. Paige?

You an Indian lover, too?

I'm here to extend

the hand of friendship.

Why don't you shut up, Grimes?

I'll shut up when I see soldiers

back here protecting us.

That's the kind of

friendship I want.

Judge, we caught us a traitor.

BAKER:
Why, Marshal,

that's John Lawrence!

I'm surprised

as much as you are.

Caught him red-handed, about

10 miles out of town,

dickering with some Indians.

I always suspected Lawrence was

in sympathy with the rebels.

MAN 1:
A traitor's a traitor.

MAN 2:
Let's string him up!

(ALL AGREEING)

We don't string up anybody without a

trial while I'm Marshal of this town.

But you caught him in the act.

And that's enough!

We don't have to

wait for nothin' now.

Be a warning to some

others I ain't sure about.

MAN 3:
Yeah. That's right.

(ALL AGREEING)

Just a minute!

You making the charge, Marshal?

Heard it all.

He and some renegade braves

were planning to kill War Cloud.

Then, they were going to take over

our town and the whole territory.

Haven't you anything to say

about it, Mr. Lawrence?

I don't think anything I'd

say would help me now, Mike.

You're right, nothin'

you'd say could help you.

He's going to get a fair trial.

All right, if we got

to have it legal,

let's get on with it, Judge.

- Right here.

- (ALL AGREEING)

It's as legal a place as any.

BOGGS:
Well,

what are we waiting for?

(ALL AGREEING)

Not a very peaceful introduction

to our town for you, sir.

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