Virginia City Page #4

Virginia City, Kerry.

Yes.

Looks like they're celebrating our arrival.

Glad to be home?

Oh, yes, of course.

- Now, now, take it easy.

- What you need is a good, stiff drink.

That's the best advice

I've had since I've been on this trip.

This is the roughest ride I've ever had.

I'm certainly gonna write a letter

to my congressman.

I would too.

Miss Julia. Miss Julia.

Oh, Cobby. How are you, Cobby?

- I missed you, but I'm glad you're back.

- Thank you.

This is Cobby, Mr. Bradford.

- How do you do, Cobby?

- How do you do?

- Pleasure to meet you.

- Same here.

A rival, huh?

Well, I hope they're all that size.

We want every copperhead Southerner

in Virginia City to see this.

And remember it because the next time

we hang one of them...

...it won't be filled with sawdust.

Driver, will you get my grip?

I'll get it for you, I know where it is.

Julia, what's the matter?

Oh, I think I'll get out.

- My home is near here.

- Wait a minute.

Why, you haven't even

told me your address.

We'll see each other, Kerry.

- I'm in a hurry.

- You're not in that much of a hurry.

How can I show up at your home

to pay my respects to your family?

I haven't any family.

Oh, sorry.

Here they are, Miss Julia,

I got them both.

Well, thank you, Cobby. Oh, just two.

I have another one on the rack.

Would you get it for me, please?

Sure.

This is very interesting, Captain Bradford.

The Bureau of Military Information

is unduly alarmed.

I can assure you we have

the local situation well in hand.

Yes, I read your reports in Washington, sir.

But from our information...

...the next rebel attempt to run gold

might be more successful.

Eh?

- They have a new leader.

- So, what's his name?

I wish I knew, sir.

All we do know is that he came west

from Richmond about a month ago.

By the way,

where do the local Southerners gather?

Oh, no one place in particular.

The Crystal Bar, Sazerac.

Would you like an escort

to show you around?

Oh, I think we can manage,

thank you, sir.

You don't happen to know

the Haynes family here, do you?

The Haynes family?

No, I never heard of them. Why?

Oh, nothing. Just friends. That's funny.

I was under the impression she...

The family that is.

...lived in Virginia City.

You seem to have two problems, captain.

I should be interested to hear

what you find out in either case.

You'll be among the first to know,

I assure you.

- Good day, sir.

- Good luck, gentlemen.

Good day, major.

Hello, Cobby.

- Mr. Vance.

- Hello, Cobby, what's on your mind?

Miss Julia came in

on the stage last night...

...but she was afraid to come here,

so she sent me.

But she wants you

to meet her at the Sazerac tonight.

- How did she look, Cobby?

- Oh, swell.

Happy as a colt in clover.

- Thanks. That's fine. Come on, get to work.

Yes, sir.

Hey, kid. Give us a hand here.

Measure your pourings carefully, boys,

and keep those bars as uniform as possible.

Put a little more gold dust

in each bag, John.

When you finish loading, nail down

the false lid and start loading sacks.

Yes, sir.

Pack the flour a little harder

around each bag, Mrs. Carter.

Double-bottom wagons and flour sacks,

they were smart ideas.

I just hope it works.

- I guess that's the last of it.

- That's all for this wagon.

One more load will take care of the rest.

Gill, 50, Picket, 45, Talbot, 70, Parrish, 85.

- How much do you figure the lot, Cameron?

- Just a shade over 5 million.

Five million into 1200 miles,

that's our next problem.

- You can do it, Irby, if anybody can.

- Let's hope.

Listen, everybody.

If everything goes right,

we'll be able to start within 48 hours.

Pack your wagons, but keep out of sight.

All of you know what's expected of you.

It'll be a hard and dangerous journey,

even if we escape the Union soldiers.

And for all outward purposes we are an

immigrant train headed for California...

...with our wives and children. Once we're

out of town, the rest is up to me.

We've got to watch ourselves

every minute from now on.

One slip, just one, and we're goners.

Not only for us, but for the South,

remember that.

And one thing more.

When you leave here, don't go together.

It might give some bright Yank an idea.

I value this about $30.

And the name is Tom...

I think you're on the wrong track, sir...

...but I've completed the list of what

you term "copperheads" or "rebels."

- Yes, sir.

- Yes, sir.

And here it is:

"John Armistead, Thomas A. Marshall,

Dr. Robert Cameron, Frank Gaylord."

Et cetera, et cetera.

Fifteen or 20 of them.

All reputable citizens.

I see. Thanks.

Well, my understanding is that Virginia City

has mined 48 millions in gold...

...since the war started.

The Comstock ran most of it, I know that.

We've got a record of their activities.

That still leaves

a considerable amount unaccounted.

Apparently the property of these men.

Your information is approximately correct.

These people

have had accounts in this bank.

Have had? Haven't they still?

No, only one or two small accounts.

Being Southerners,

they were afraid of confiscation.

- Yes.

- And frankly, I don't blame them.

No.

- Yes, sir.

- Yes, sir.

So this gold's back in their possession,

is it?

Safely hidden away until the war's over.

But they're all friends of mine,

I'm not afraid. They'll bring it back.

Well, I wouldn't count too much on that

if I were you, sir.

- How's that?

- I said, to your health, sir.

Oh, yes.

To yours, to yours, by all means, sir.

By the way, I don't see the name

of Haynes on this list.

- Haynes?

- Yes, Haynes or Hayne.

I thought they might be

depositors of yours.

No, never heard of them.

Sure that's the right name?

Frankly, I'm not sure

of anything these days, sir.

You see some incredible mirages

in the desert.

- I beg your pardon?

- I said, thanks for the information, sir.

Not at all, sir. It's been a pleasure.

Step this way, folks,

to the door of rum, riches and rapture.

The one and only famous Sazerac Saloon,

known from Philly to Frisco.

See the Living Lily,

the only person ever framed in the Sazerac.

She inhales, she exhales.

She does everything but talk,

and she is liable to do that.

Just look on the inside, folks.

See and hear the most beautiful girls

that ever escaped from a female seminary.

Let's go in and mix around.

Keep your eyes and ears open.

- Don't get into trouble, don't get drunk.

- He don't think we'd do anything...

...wasn't pious, does he?

Well, I hope not.

Let's mosey over here.

Something might turn up.

- Well, well, hello, stranger.

- Something did.

- True enough.

How about trying your luck?

- I got a lot of luck and it's all bad.

- The old guessing contest.

Pays one, two and three for one.

Three winners and losers.

There she goes.

Going like a boll weevil in a cotton patch.

Like taking a gal to a picnic, you don't

know whether you're gonna bring her back.

We got a winner.

Just a minute, mister.

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