Hello! John Cameron!
Alexandra, set three more places.
Chingachgook! How are you?
The Master of Life is good,John.
Anotheryear passed.
- How is it with you? - Gettin' along. Yes, I am.
Nathaniel.
Hello, John.
- Cleared another quarter, I see. - Yes, I did.
- Alexandra. - Welcome.
- Jack, how are you? - Hello, Nathaniel.
- How've you been? - Good. Thank you.
Where you boys been trapping?
West of the Continental.
Why is Uncas with you?
He should have settled with a woman, started a family by now.
Hey! Hey! Hey, Uncas, look!
Mohawk field we saw was five mile long on the river.
- Chief Joseph Brandt's field. - You take much fur?
- That we did. The horicane's near trapped-out now. - Lots.
- Where areyou tradin' your skins? Castleton? - Schuylerville.
Schuylerville. With the Dutch, for silver.
French and English want to pay with wampum and brandy.
So what is it,Jack? What brings you here?
French and Indian army are headin' south out of Fort Carillon...
to war against the British,
and I'm helpin' raise New York's militia to fill the Crown's levy.
And the people here are gonna join in that fight?
We'll see in the morning. Where're you boys headin'?
We'll trap over the fall. Winter in Can-tuck-ee.
Find a Delaware-speaking woman for Uncas.
She will say, "You are the one!" Bear him many children.
Then you can have a boy like me.
Never. You're too strong.
- Turn me old too fast. - That's what he's doin' to his mama.
John Cameron, thank you for your hospitality.
Mohawk got no quarrel with les Francais.
Traded furs with les Francais.
Now les Francais bring Huron, Ottawa,
Abenaki onto Mohawk land.
Now Mohawk will fight les Francais and Huron.
I speak for the Twin Rivers Mohawk of the Six Nations.
His Majesty, King George II, is very grateful for your support.
- How far up the valley? - Up to Fort William Henry.
That's two nights and a bit from here.
- Should be enough to remind you that France is our enemy. - France is your enemy.
And while we're atyour fort, what ifthe French attack our homes?
- What then, Lieutenant? - For your homes,
for King, for country!
That's why you men ought to join this fight!
You do what you want with your own scalp.
Do not be tellin' us what we ought to do with ours.
You call yourself a patriot? A loyal subject to the Crown?
I do not call myself subject to much at all.
I agree with some of what Nathaniel and John say,
but I believe England's still our sovereign.
I'm stayin'on myfarm.
Any man who goes, his family's welcome to fort up with us till he comes back.
Boys, my sense of it is...
we have enough here to fill the county levy,
and it's a fight we ought to make.
But first we gotta get terms from General Webb.
We'll go to Albany.
Attention!
There'll be no conditions attached to service in the British army.
Help my man outside with the baggage.
If they're not allowed leave to defend their families and homes...
if the French attack the settlements,
no colonial militia is going to Fort William Henry.
They will report or be pressed into service.
- Any of the boys worth havin' can disappear. - They will be found.
- Where does that leaveyou? - Those men will be found.
I cannot imagine His Majesty, in all his benevolence,
would ever object to his loyal American subjects...
defending their hearth and home, their women and children.
Does that mean they will be granted leave...
to defend their homes if the settlements are attacked?
Of course.
You gotyourself a colonial militia, General.
Major Duncan Heyward reporting, sir,
en route to Fort William Henry and bearing dispatches.
- Safe journey, I trust? - Yes.
And I didn't experience anything so surprising from Bristol to Albany...
as that that I witnessed here today.
And what was that?
The Crown negotiating the terms of service.
Well, now, one has to reason with these colonials to get them to do anything.
Tiring, isn't it? But that's the lay of the land.
I thought British policy is " Make the world England," sir.
I see you're to serve with the 35th regiment of foot at Fort William Henry...
under Colonel Munro.
I'll be marching the 60th to Fort Edward.
Explain to the Major, he has little to fear...
from this General Marquis de Montcalm in the first place,
and therefore scant need of the colonial militia in the second,
because the French haven't the nature forwar.
Their Latinate voluptuousness...
combines with their Gallic laziness,
and the result is, they'd rather eat and make love with their faces than fight.
Might I inquire if General Webb has heard from Colonel Munro's daughters?
I was to rendezvous with them in Albany and escort them to the fort, sir.
You there, uh- What does Munro call you?
The Scotsman has sent you...
one of his Mohawk allies to guide you.
Magua.
The Scotsman's daughters...
are at the Poltroon's house.
A company of the 60th will accompany you...
and Magua will show you the way.
Dawn. At the encampment, 6:00 a. m. sharp. See to it you're there.
I'll take him for you, sir.
Cora.
Duncan!
- How long have you been in Albany? - For days and days.
- And yourself? - Just arrived.
By God, it's good to see you.
I don't know what to say, Duncan.
Alice and I have depended upon you and respected you...
since we were all children.
I truly wish they did, but my feelings don't-
don't go beyond friendship.
Don't you see?
Respect and friendship-
Isn't that a reasonable basis for a man and a woman to be married?
And all else may grow in time?
- Some say that's the way of it. - Some?
- Cousin Eugenie, my father- - Well, then, Cora.
In my heart I know, once we're joined...
we'll be the most marvelous couple in London.
I'm certain of that.
So why not let those whom you trust, your father,
help settle what's best for you?
In view of your indecision, you should rely on their judgment.
And mine.
Will you consider that?
Please consider that.
Yes.
- Yes, I will. - Duncan!
By God, you've grown up.
- We leave in the morning? - Yes, miss.
I shan't sleep tonight. What an adventure. Haveyou seen the red man?
A few.
I absolutely cannot wait to return to Portman Square,
having been to the wilderness.
- It's so exciting, Duncan. - It can be dangerous.
Nonsense. Papa wouldn't have sent for us.
- Would you like some tea? - Yes, thank you.
Alice?
- Can we rest soon? - Absolutely.
You there.
Scout, we must stop soon.
- Women are tired. - Not here.
Two leagues. Better water. We stop there.
No, stop in the glade just ahead.
When the ladies are rested we will proceed. Do you understand?
Excuse me. What did you say?
Magua said, understand English very well.
Make ready! Aim!
Ready!
Aim! Flank right!
Aah!
No, Duncan.
In case your aim's any better than your judgment.
Aah!
Your wounded should try walkin' on back to Albany.
They'll never make a passage north.
- Ahh! - Stop it! Stop it!
- We need them to get out! - Why's he loosing the horses?
- Why don't you ask him? - Too easy to track.
They'll be heard for miles.
Find yourself a musket.
We were headed to Fort William Henry.
We'll take you as far as the fort.
We're walkin' out of here fast.
Unless all ofyou'd rather wait for the next Huron war party to come by.
Scout, I'd like to thank you for your help.
- How much further is it? - Night and a bit.
- Appears we're well away from them. - Maybe.
Maybe they ain't alone. That Huron captain back there-
The guide? He's a Mohawk.
No Mohawk. He's Huron.
What reason did he have to murder the girl?
- What? - The dark-haired one.
Miss Cora Munro? Murder her?
He never set eyes on her before today. She's only been here a week.
Blood vengeance? A reproach or insult?
Of course not!
How is it you were so nearby?
Came across the war party. Tracked 'em.
Then you're assigned to Fort William Henry?
- Nope. - Fort Edward then?
Headin' west to Can-tuck-ee.
There is a war on. How is it you are heading west?
Well, we kind of face to the north, and real sudden-like, turn left.
I thought all our colonial scouts were in the militia.
The militia is fighting the French in the north!
I ain't your scout. And we sure ain't in no damn militia.
Ottawa, two Francais.
What did you say?
Mirrors,
tools, the clothes.
Everything was inside.
They didn't take anything.
They were movin' fast.
A war party.
Let us look after them.
Leave them.
Whoever they are, though they're strangers,
they're at least entitled to a Christian burial.
- They can't be left behind. - Let us go, miss.
I will not! I've seen the face of war before, sir,
but I've not seen war made upon women and children.
Nor most as cruel as your indifference.
Miss Munro,
they're not strangers.
And they stay as they lay.
Why didn't you bury these people?
Anyone looking for our trail would see it as a sign...
we passed that way.
You knew them well?
You were acting for our benefit, and I apologize.
I misunderstood you.
Well, that's to be expected.
- My father warned me about- - Your father?
Chingachgook. He warned me about people like you.
Oh, he did?
No.
Why did they turn back?
Burial ground.
Where is your real family?
They buried my ma and pa and my sisters.
Chingachgook found me with two French trappers, raised me up as his own.
I'm sorry.
I do not remember. I wasn't but one or two.
How did you learn English?
My father sent Uncas and I to Reverend Wheelock's school when I was ten...
so we would know both worlds.
Why were those people living in this defenseless place?
After seven years in dentured service in Virginia, they headed out here...
'cause the frontier's the only land available to poor people.
Out here they're beholden to none,
not livin' by another's leave.
Their name was Cameron.
John and Alexandra Cameron.
My father's people say that at the birth ofthe sun...
and of his brother the moon, their mother died.
So the sun gave to the earth her body,
from which was to spring all life.
And he drew forth from her breast the stars.
The stars he threw into the night sky to remind him ofher soul.
So there's the Camerons' monument.
My folks' too, I guess.
You are right, Mr. Poe.
We do not understand what is happening here.
And it's not as I imagined it would be,
thinking ofit in Boston and London.
- Sorry to disappoint you. - No, on the contrary.
It is more deeply stirring to my blood...
than any imagining could possibly have been.
Top ofthe next ridge. The fort's downhill ofit.
The men ofthe regiment will fetch water from the lake,
build fires, and provide every comfort and desire.
I can't wait to see Papa.
Aah!
Fire!
Aah!
Open up.
- I'm Major Duncan Heyward. - Captain Jeffrey Beams.
- Didn't expect you to make it through. - Let's go to Munro.
Hello, boys!
Nathaniel!
Uncas! Thought you and Nathaniel weren't joinin'up.
We didn't.
Papa! Papa!
Alice! Cora! Why are you here?
And where the hell are my reinforcements?
Get Mr. Phelps.
Told you to stay away. Why did you disobey me, girls?
- When? How? I- - My letter.
- There was none. There was no letter. - What?
- I sent three couriers to Webb. - One called Magua arrived.
- He delivered no message. - Does Webb not even know we are besieged?
Sir, Webb has no idea. And he certainly does not know to send reinforcements.
What happened to you?
- On the George Road. Attacked. - We're fine.
Are you all right?
- Yes. - What will happen here, Papa?
- We'll be all right, girl. - This Magua ledus into it.
Eighteen killed. These men came to our aid. They guided us here.
Thank you. Do you need anything?
- Help ourselves to a few horns from your powder stores. - Some food.
Indebted to you.
- Miss Cora, how are you? - Hello, Mr. Phelps.
Mrs. McCann will get some dry clothes foryou.
Thank you.
Go with your sister, Alice.
It'll be all right, girl.
It'll be all right.
Might I inquire after the situation, sir,
given that I've seen the French engineering from the ridge above?
The situation is, his guns are bigger than mine and he has more of them.
We keep our heads down while his troops dig 30 yards of trench a day.
When those trenches are 200 yards from the fort and within range,
he'll bring in his 15-inch mortars,
lob explosive rounds over ourwalls and pound us to dust.
They look to be 300 yards out.
If they're digging 30 yards a day, you have three days.
Damn. Damn.
This man here can make a run straight through to Webb.
Three days is not enough time to get to Albany and back with reinforcements.
Webb's not in Albany. He marched the 60th to Fort Edward two days ago.
Webb is at Edward?
- Yes, sir. - That's only 12 miles away.
He could have reinforcements here the day after tomorrow.
You, sir, pick your man. Major Heyward will provide a diversion.
I'll draft out a dispatch. Captain Beams will seek you out and give it to you later.
Somethin ' else. Cameron's cabin. Frontier cabin.
Came upon it yesterday. It was burnt out, everyone murdered.
It was Ottawa, allied to the French.
Aye. So?
It was a war party.
That means they're gonna be attackin' up and down the frontier.
Thank you, sir.
People here- Mohawks, settlers- have family out there.
That'll be all, sir!
Things were done. Nobody was spared.
Those considerations are subordinate to the interests ofthe Crown.
A terrible feature of war here in the Americas, Major Heyward.
Best keep your eye fixed on our duty: to defeat France.
That hangs on a courier to Webb.
For my children are the children of the true faith.
My friendship and esteem is boundless.
I will give you three oxen for a feast.
And tomorrow, I will sing the war song with you...
at the great council fire.
Magua, how are things with your English friends?
We're at one. Join us.
Hear what he has to tell us.
The English war chief, Webb,
goes to Fort Edward with 60th Regiment.
He does not know that my father's army attacks Fort William Henry.
Magua was successful?
The other two couriers died in the forest.
By now, Munro would know his dispatch did not get through.
- He'll send another. - Grey Hair will try.
Four orfive, including two women, entered the fort.
The Grey Hair's children were under Magua's knife.
They escaped.
They will be under it again.
Why do you hate the Grey Hair, Magua?
When the Grey Hair is dead, Magua will eat his heart.
Before he dies,
Magua will put his children under the knife...
so the Grey Hair will know...
his seed is wiped out forever.
Miss Cora.
Gentleman lookin' for you. Miss Munro.
Hello.
May I?
- It will seep, and then it's going to draw. - Thank you, miss.
'Bout done holdin' hands with Miss Munro?
We got some work to do.
What are you looking at, sir?
I'm looking at you, miss.
Munro refused to believe what happened.
He does not even want to hear it.
Well, he's gonna have to.
Get together by the west bastion.
Ian, Sharitarish, Onge was gone and William.
Tight weave?
Silk. Another 40 yards.
Fire!
Aim!And Fire!
Wheel to the right! On center! March!
Halt!
Ready!
Set! Fire!
Aah!
And how am I to know it wasn't a raid by common thieves?
The cabin was attacked by a war party fighting with the French.
They're sweeping south down the frontier attacking farms and Mohawk villages.
- All the men are stuck here. - I need proof more convincing than this man's opinion...
before I weaken the fort's defenses by releasing the militia.
Chingachgook's of the same opinion about the raid.
Taken together, that's gospel.
Your fort will stand or fall depending on Webb's reinforcements,
not the presence ofthe colonials.
I judge military matters here, not you.
Your judgment is not more important than their right...
under agreement with Webb to defend their farms and families.
Major Heyward was there. Hewas atJohn Cameron's. He saw what it was.
What exactly did you see, Major?
I saw nothing that would lead me to the conclusion it was other than a raid...
by savages bent on thievery.
- You're a liar! - Major!
Montcalm is a soldier and a gentleman, not a butcher.
Easy for you to suppose. It's their women and children alone on the farms, not yours!
- You forget yourself, sir! - We're not forgettin' Webb's promise.
British promises are honored, and the militia will not be released,
because I need more definite proof than this man's word!
Nathaniel's word's been good on this frontier a long time before you got here.
This meeting is over! The militia stays.
Does the rule of English law no longer govern?
Has it been replaced by absolutism?
If English law cannot be trusted, people would do better making peace with the French.
- That is sedition! - That is the truth!
I'll have you beaten from this fort.
Anyone fomenting on advocating the leaving of Fort William Henrywill be hung for sedition.
Anyone actually caught leaving will be shot for desertion.
My decision is final! Get out.
Cora?
Shh.
I wanted to talk to you.
Talkwith Duncan, Cora. I must manage.
I cannot be an invalid schoolgirl.
- Alice. - I'll see if Mr. Phelps needs anything.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-
Cora, when we come together back in England and are married and away from this place,
what had to be done and said here will matter not at all.
- I'm certain ofthat. - Duncan, I promised you an answer.
You've complimented me with your persistence and patience.
But the decision I have come to is that I'd rather make the gravest of mistakes...
than to surrender my own judgment.
Please take this as my final answer.
It must be no.
I see.
Yeah, Nathaniel, but you weren't ever for being here.
That's right. I saw it that way then and I see it that way now.
Ian, if I had kin in the settlements, hell be damn sure I'd be long gone.
What do we do about bein' under Crown law?
I believe if they set aside their law as and when they wish,
their law no longer has rightful authority over us.
All they have over us then is tyranny.
And I will not live under that yoke. So I will stay here no longer.
Anyone caught leavin' the fort could be shot, so each man make your own decision.
Those who are goin', be back in an hour.
Out the northern sally-port.
Strike for the east side of the swamp till you clear the French picket line.
Head north over the ridge, then come about southeast.
Fork left in Little Meadow and you're free ofthe outpost and skirmishes.
Should've skun out of this long ago.
Got no families, Captain. Figured we'd stay and give a hand.
- I'll cover you from the top of the bastion. - You're not comin' with us?
I got a reason to stay.
That reason wear a striped skirt and work in the surgery?
It does. No offense, but it's a better looking reason than you,Jack Winthrop.
Push hard, 'cause you gotta clear the French outpost by dawn. Good luck,Jack.
- Onge was gone, are you stayin'? - Yes.
- There's too many French. - And so few of us to fight.
Not too many to die. But we've given our word to our English fathers.
You, sir! As you were!
Stand off.
Take him.
As you were.
He saved us. We're alive only because of him.
The man encouraged the colonials to desert, in this very room, and in my presence.
- Sir. - He is guilty of sedition.
He must be tried and hanged like any other criminal, regardless of what he did for my children.
But he knew the consequences and he stayed.
Are those the actions of a criminal?
- Duncan, do something. - He knew the penalty for his actions.
He ought to pay without sending you to beg.
You know he wouldn't send me. You falsely spoke of what you saw.
What happened at the farm was as Nathaniel said.
But not with enough certainty to outweigh British interests in this fort.
And who empowered these colonials to pass judgment...
on England's policies in her own possessions,
and to come and go without so much as a by your leave?
They do not live their lives by your leave!
They hack it out ofwilderness with their own two hands, bearing children along the way.
You are defending him because you've become infatuated with him!
Duncan, you are a man with a few admirable qualities.
But taken as a whole, I was wrong to have thought so highly ofyou.
Cora!
Cora, I would do anything I could to keepyou from being hurt.
But this man is guilty of sedition and subject to military justice and beyond pardon.
Justice? If that's justice, then the sooner French guns...
blow the English army out of America, the better it will be for the people here.
- You do not know what you're saying! - I know exactly what I'm saying!
And ifit is sedition, then I am guilty ofsedition too.
They're going to hang you.
Why didn't you leave when you had the chance?
Because what I'm interested in is right here.
What can I do?
Webb's reinforcements will arrive or not.
If they do not arrive, the fort will fall to the French.
If that happens, stay close to your father.
Stay close to him.
The French officers will try to protect the officers among the English.
- No. I will find you. - Do not.
Promise me.
The whole world's on fire, isn't it?
Who is it?
Remember what I told you.
Stay close to your father and the officers.
Colonel Munro,
I have known you as a gallant antagonist.
I am happy to make your acquaintance as a friend.
And I yours, Monsieur Le Marquis.
Please accept my compliments...
for the strong and skillful defense ofyour fortress.
Under the command ofa lesser man, it would have fallen long ago,
given the superior numbers and materials.
Chance has allowed me to array againstyou.
Monsieur Le Marquis, I am a soldier, not a diplomat.
You called this parlay for a better reason than an exchange of compliments.
You have already done everything which is necessary for the honor ofyour prince.
But now I beg you to listen to the admonishments ofhumanity.
I beg you to consider my terms for your surrender.
Perhaps the general's glass can reach as far as the Hudson...
and seize the size and eminence ofthe army of Webb?
My scouts intercepted this dispatch intended foryou.
Capitan de Bougainville.
"To Colonel Munro. Sir, I regret to inform you...
that I have no men available to send to your rescue.
It is quite impossible.
I advise you to seek terms forsurrender.
I remain. Jerome Webb at Fort Edward. '
This is the signature of Webb. And I know the temper of our men.
Rather than spend the war in a French prison hulk in Hudson Bay, they'd fight to the end.
- You've had your answer, Monsieur Le Marquis. - Sir,
I beg you not to sign the death warrant of so many...
until you have listened to what I have to say.
- Go on. - None of your men will see the inside of a prison barge.
They are free, so long as they return to England...
and fight no more on this continent,
and the civilian militia return to their farms.
- Their arms? - They may leave the fortress fully armed.
My colors?
Carry them to England with pride.
Allow me to consult with my officers.
Webb can burn in hell.
And we'll go back and dig our graves behind those ramparts.
Death and honor are thought to be the same,
but today I have learned that sometimes they are not.
Sir-
Monsieur Le Marquis, I am deeply touched by such unusual and unexpected generosity.
My fort is yours under the condition...
that I be given till dawn to bury my dead,
to prepare my men and women for the long journey ahead...
and to hand my wounded over to your surgeons.
Granted, monsieur.
Is the hatchet buried between the English and my French father?
- Yes. - Not a warrior has a scalp...
and the white men become friends.
My master owns these lands...
and I have been ordered to drive off the English squatters.
They have consented to go,
so now I call them enemies no longer.
Magua took the hatchet to color with blood.
It's still bright.
Only when it's red, then it will be buried.
So many suns have set since Magua struck the war post.
And where is that sun?
Le Subtil is the son of his people and he has come to lead many ofthem.
But Le Subtil has power with his Huron people and others here,
I know well.
Magua's village and lodges were burnt.
Magua's children were killed by the English.