The Hallelujah Trail Page #7

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but first you give us presents.

- What'd he say?

- He said

"Hunt buffalo in peace,

minding their own business,

- when white Long Knives attack."

- What?

Yes, sir. But they're willin'

to go home now, sir.

Well, tell him he's made

a wise decision.

Yes, sir.

Where are presents for us?

You give me 20 wagons whiskey

or I don't take my braves home.

Period.

Yes? What'd he say?

He said he would like

to give you a present, sir.

- That's fine.

- But he hasn't got one, sir.

I see. Thank him, but tell him

no present is necessary.

Wait... I'll tell him.

All right, then. Tomorrow morning,

this whole, uh... this, uh...

We're leaving for Denver.

You will take your orders from

Sergeant Major Buell as to starting time,

disposition of marching order,

camp sites, et cetera.

Any decisions to be made

will be made by me.

- Sergeant.

- Conference stands adjourned!

- Buell.

- Yes, sir?

What are those Indians doing here?

- I don't know, sir.

- How long have they been following us?

I was gonna bring that matter

to the colonel's attention.

They've been trailing us all day, sir.

Shall I take a squad

and run 'em off, sir?

Buell, the Indian wars are over.

These Sioux are wards

of the government.

- How would that look in Washington?

- The colonel has a point, sir.

Get the interpreter. Find out why they're

still here. And we'll camp early tonight.

- Field quarters assembly?

- Have the sentries out before dark.

Carter, check the rest of the sentries

and find Sergeant Buell.

(water splashing)

Phillips, what's going on here?

Compliments of Mrs. Massingale, sir.

She has use of another tub, sir,

and she thought

the colonel looked dirty, sir.

Kind of scroungy and mucky, sir.

And she thought... she sort of...

Yes, sir.

- Colonel Gearhart, sir.

- Yes?

All sentries on their posts, sir.

The Denver militia has retired

for the evening.

Where's Sergeant Buell?

At the Indian camp

with the interpreter.

- That's all, Carter.

- Yes, sir.

- Sir?

- Come in, Buell.

The report from the interpreter, sir...

He, uh...

Well?

There might be a little confusion, sir.

- Confusion?

- Confusion. Yes, sir.

The interpreter was only sure they said

"Hunt buffalo in peace,

minding own business,

when white Long Knives attack."

"Willing to go home.

Would like to give you present."

Sergeant, get me Oracle Jones.

Yes, sir.

Friend.

Go ahead. Don't beat around the bush.

Find out why the hell they're still here.

He says he's waitin' for the presents.

Presents? Wait a...

Well, tell him we don't want

any presents, and thank him.

Not for you, Colonel. For him.

Just a minute. He said "Hunt buffalo

in peace, minding own business..."

- Sims!

- Yes, sir.

- You're under arrest.

- Yes, sir.

- Suppose I refuse to give them presents?

- They won't go home.

Well, find out what they want.

The chief says he wants 20 wagons of...

minne wakan... crazy water.

20 wagons of whiskey?

That chief...

he's a real boozer, Colonel.

Well, you tell him no.

No one's gonna blackmail

the United States Army!

Tell him to pack up his braves and get

back where they come from. I'll tell him.

White chief... Indian chief...

meet... as friends.

Leave as friends.

No crazy water, no whiskey.

Go home in peace... But go home!

- Sergeant.

- Yes, sir.

Hallelujah!

There! Now I see it!

Frank! Hold up there, Frank!

Frank, come sundown you head your

wagons in towards Quicksand Bottoms.

- Why?

- We'll be campin' there tonight.

No, we ain't. Not this train.

Well, sure, Frank.

You just suit yourself.

That's a waste of time

and horsepower.

I'll just light out for Denver

on my lonesome.

Wait a minute, Oracle.

You seen somethin'

Well now, I don't mind tellin' you

things is just beginnin' to come through.

- What? What?

- Can't say.

Got somethin' to do

with Quicksand Bottoms?

Yep.

Rafe! Rafe! When we get to

Quicksand Bottoms, head in.

- We're gonna camp there tonight.

- Huh?

When we get to Quicksand Bottoms,

head in. We're gonna camp there tonight.

OK, Frank.

Militia, halt!

Get that circle formed in there

and keep it tight.

Stay away from the edge

of that swamp. Look out!

Come on, move it up there.

Close it up tight!

Stay away from the edge

of that swamp. Look out!

All right! All right!

Come on, the rest of ya! Watch out!

Frank! You'd better come quick!

The Irish have gone on strike

and they've taken 10 of the wagons.

Clayton! Go and rescue

that precious booze. Form up your men.

Militia!

Form up in a column of fours! Hup!

Sir, the teamsters have

finally gone on strike.

They've taken 10 wagons

and formed a circle.

- Where's Wallingham?

- He's gettin' the militia together, sir.

I've put a platoon

between them and the ladies.

- The ladies?

- They're supporting the strike, sir.

It's quite possible

that violence is imminent.

Come down from there, you alien radical!

- Capitalist!

- Anarchist!

Hold your positions, ladies.

You finally got here, did ya? I want you

to get this damn mess straightened out.

You! Just what are you

and your ladies up to this time?

Merely exercising our right

to peaceful assembly,

as guaranteed by the Constitution,

which you, an army officer,

are sworn to uphold.

O'Flaherty.

We're just honest workmen,

your lordship,

exercising our God-given right

to refuse to work.

Hah! You're a pack of cowards,

hidin' behind the skirts of these women.

Besides that, you're a pack of Irish

thieves. They stole 10 of my wagons.

- I demand you do somethin' about it.

- Now, calm yourself, Mr. Wallingham.

I can see your wagons.

They don't look stolen to me.

Well, they're as good as stolen, by damn!

I must remind you, sir,

there are ladies present.

Damn right they're present.

I want 'em removed.

I'm sorry, Mr. Wallingham,

but this is obviously a labour dispute.

Much as I hate to admit it,

Mrs. Massingale and Mr. O'Flaherty

are within their rights.

What about my rights

as a taxpayer and a good Republican?

I'll protect your wagons and cargo,

but under army regulations I cannot...

All right, men. Enough of this

tin-soldier lawyer talk.

Club down them Irishmen.

Club 'em down and tote them women out.

Slater, take charge.

You'll meet force with force

to whatever extent is necessary.

Companies A and B, move up! Ho!

Draw carbines! Ho!

Come on, get in there!

What are you waitin' for?

Uh... be reasonable, Frank.

We can't fight the United States Army.

It wouldn't look good.

All right, Gearhart. I'm holding you

responsible for every one of my wagons.

- I accept the responsibility. Buell!

- Sir!

- We'll camp here tonight. Pick a site.

- Yes, sir. Field order 138, sir?

Yes, sir.

My congratulations, Mrs. Massingale. A

brilliant manoeuvre, flawlessly executed.

Thank you, Colonel. I'm very flattered.

Maintain order, Slater.

Ladies.

Mrs. Massingale, ma'am...

Would you mind telling me just what

you expect to gain by all this?

Time, for one thing.

But you can't keep my wagons

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