-Is this the last one? -I don't know.
There's no ether, either.
Jesus Christ.
You there! Is this the last one?
God, what a mess.
At least there's no gangrene.
There will be if it doesn't come off soon.
I can't saw if I can't keep my eyes open.
I'm sorry.
Let's coffee up. He can wait a few more minutes.
God!
Glass.
-ls that Tucker's men? -Yes, sir. I think it is.
How long has it been like this?
We found 'em this morning, sir. They've been here for two days.
Is that you, Lieutenant?
Sons of bitches.
Come on. You better take cover.
I ain't kidding. These boys are shooters. Come on. Go under cover.
There you go.
You went to the hospital?
It was no good.
What's going on here?
That seems to be the question, all right.
See, you could ask the major...
...but he don't know.
He's busy.
He's busy trying to figure out how come the officers' mess...
...run out of peach ice cream.
Then, of course, you got the general.
He come up to see the show.
All he knows is there ain't no show...
...which ain't entirely correct 'cause we started a balloon up...
...but they shot her down before we got off the ground.
Nobody's made a run either way. It's been a standoff all damned day.
Now, the major, he's looking at the general.
He's thinking to himself, "l better do something."
You know what that means.
I sure as hell don't want to be the first one across this field.
They're supposed to be beat up just like us.
Hell, everybody knows Tucker's men are tough as cobs.
So far, the only thing been killed out here is three milking cows.
Course, that's about to change.
You son of a bitch.
You know, some of the boys are saying if we ain't gonna fight...
...we could just settle this whole business with a little...
...high-stakes poker.
Wouldn't that be a sight?
A bunch of fellas sitting in the middle of this field...
...drawing cards.
What is it, sir?
Looks like a suicide.
Tucker!
What's he doing?
-What did you say to him? -I didn't say nothing.
Come on back, you son of a bitch!
-You won't make it no second time! -All right by me.
Forgive me, Father.
-He's coming back again! -Here he comes, boys!
-Ready! -I got him.
Don't....
Don't take off my foot.
You rest easy, son. You'll keep your foot.
With God as my judge, you'll keep it.
-Bring up my ambulance. -Sir?
Bring up my ambulance, and bring my surgeon with it!
We got an officer who's worth something lying here.
"The strangeness of this life cannot be measured.
"In trying to produce my own death...
"...I was elevated to the status of a living hero.
"I was also awarded Cisco...
"...the trusty mount that carried me across the field that day.
"And on full recovery, was given transfer to any station I desired.
"The bloody slaughter continues in the east as I arrive at Fort Hayes.
"A tiny island of men and material surrounded by a never-ending sea of prairie. "
Lieutenant.
Where can I find Maj. Fambrough?
Down at the end of the hall.
Thank you.
"Lt. John J. Dunbar."
Lt. John J. Dunbar?
-Yes, sir. -"Yes, sir."
Indian fighter.
Excuse me?
It says here that you're to be posted on the frontier.
The frontier is lndian country.
I quickly deduced that you're an lndian fighter.
I did not ascend to this position by being stupid.
-No, sir. -"No, sir."
It says here that you've been decorated.
Yes, sir.
And they sent you here to be posted?
Actually, sir, I'm here at my own request.
Really? Why?
I've always wanted to see the frontier.
You want to see the frontier?
Yes, sir.
Before it's gone.
Such a smart lad, coming straight to me.
Sir...
...Knight.
I am sending you on a knight's errand.
You will report to Captain Cargill...
...at the furthermost outpost of the realm...
...Fort Sedgewick.
My personal seal will assure your safety...
...through many miles of wild and hostile country.
-I was wondering.... -Yes?
I was wondering, sir, how will I be getting there?
You think I don't know?
-No, sir. -You think that.
-It's just that I don't know-- -Hold your tongue.
I am in a generous mood and I will grant your boon.
See that peasant out there?
He calls himself Timmons.
He's going there this very afternoon. You can ride with him if you like.
He knows the way. Thank you. That is all.
Sir Knight?
I've just pissed in my pants...
...and nobody can do anything about it.
To your journey!
To my journey!
Haw!
Over a little bit, Jim!
-Have this by tomorrow. -Yes, sir.
I'll have my crown now.
-Sir? -I'll have my crown now!
-I'm sorry, sir. -Are you deaf, fool?
I said I'll have my crown right now!
Now!
No.
-I'll get your crown. -No.
Sir?
Major?
The king is dead.
Long live the king.
Get these kids out of here, come on!
Haw, Jim and Jake!
Gee a little bit, Jim!
The hell was that?
What is that?
What the hell is that?
Why don't you put that in your book?
"Were it not for my companion...
"...I believe I would be having the time of my life.
"I know he means well...
"...but he is quite possibly the foulest man I have ever met. "
How far you make the Fort?
Far.
How far?
Forty, fifty mile, maybe.
What's the big hurry on Sedgewick?
It's to be my post.
My home.
You ain't hard to please, I'll give you that much.
Look yonder.
What you got there?
Somebody back east is saying, "Why don't she write?"
You stupid bastard.
Get up, Timmons.
Get up.
Come on. Get up.
Get up!
Someone poked me in my butt. Was that you?
Goddamn it!
I'm gonna have a welt.
Cpl. Guest?
You don't have to talk to me, just please come out.
It's the end.
Assemble the men in front of my quarters.
You hate me.
But I feel none of the same for you.
You men stayed.
You stayed after they took all our horses.
You stayed after all the others deserted.
You stayed after the army failed to resupply us.
I have looked for that wagon from Fort Hayes...
...just as you have...
...day after miserable day.
And all I can say is that I'm proud of you.
Now get your things, men. We're leaving this place.
The army can go to hell.
Go.
Get your things.
How come we haven't seen any buffalo?
You can't figure the stinking buffalo.
You can't. Sometimes you won't see any for days.
Other times, they'll be thick, like curls on a whore.
What about lndians?
Indians? Goddamn lndians!
You just as soon not see 'em unless the bastards are dead.
They're nothing but thieves and beggars.
Ho, up there!
Not what you would call much of a going concern now, is it?
Go down there.
-Why? There ain't nothing down there. -Because I said.
Go down there.
There, son of a bitch!
There ain't nothing here, Lieutenant.
Lieutenant!
Everybody's run off or got killed.
All right. Let's unload the wagon.
What? What, and leave it all here?
I'm staying, too.
There ain't nothing here.
No, not at the moment.
We don't know what's happened.
Things being as they are...
...we might as well just turn around and get headed back.
This is my post.
"This is my post?"
This is my post.
"This is my post?"
Jesus H. Christ.
What, are you crazy, boy?
Fast son of a bitch.
-Jesus H. Christ. -This is my post.
All right, put it down.
And these are the post provisions, all right? Now get your ass off the wagon--
-Put it down! -And help me unload.
We're just havin' a conversation, now put it down.
I'll let them know where you are.
Good.
Good luck.
Thank you.
Jake and Jim!
Good mule!
Haw up there now!
Good mules!
"Have arrived to find Fort Sedgewick deserted.
"Am now waiting for garrison's return or word from headquarters.
"The post is in exceedingly poor condition...
"...and I have decided to assign myself clean-up duty beginning tomorrow.
"Supplies are abundant...
"...and the country is everything I dreamed it would be.
"There can be no place like this on Earth. "
Bad horse.
"The animals in the pond had not been poisoned.
"They had all been shot.
"But why? Was it for sport?
"Could it have been out of spite?
"My first guess would have been that the men here were starving.
"But this rotting waste speaks to the contrary.
"The caves are an even bigger mystery.
"What could have driven men to live in caves?
"perhaps they were frightened.
"Maybe there had been some sort of revolt.
"I can make no sense of the clues left me here.
"perhaps my relief will provide the answers. "
Come on, Cisco. One more time.
Git up!
Come on! Git up, Cisco.
Git up!
Git up! There you go!
Easy.
Only a white man would make a fire for everyone to see.
Maybe there's more than one.
There might be three or four.
I know three or four...
...who will not be making the trip back home.
We have nothing to show for this trail.
We have no rifles.
White men are sure to have rifles.
It's hard to say how many might be down there.
We should forget this and go home.
Then go.
I would rather die...
...than argue about a single line of smoke in my own country.
He will not quit until we are all dead.
"And if l...."
Look at me.
Don't hurt my mules.
Stop.
Stop it.
Please don't hurt my mules.
"I am pleased with my efforts thus far.
"For all my improvements, though, there remains an ugliness here I cannot dispel.
"An injury that goes beyond neglect and like a bruise, it will be slow to heal.
"It's been almost 30 days.
"I have come to enjoy the patterns of my life at Fort Sedgewick.
"Especially my daily reconnaissance rides with Cisco.
"Each day, we go further into the prairie and every discovery...
"...big or small, becomes etched in my mind forever.
"It would seem I've been marooned, as no one has yet come for me.
"I can only assume that there is a problem, which the army will solve shortly.
"Maybe I am being foolish in my optimism...
"...but when I look to the eastern horizon...
"...I never fail to hope that a column might be out there. "
"Still no sign of Capt. Cargill's command.
"Though well-supplied, I've decided to ration my goods...
"...as if I were part of a post instead of the whole affair.
"There's a wolf who seems intent on the goings-on here.
"He does not seem inclined to be a nuisance, however.
"And aside from Cisco, has been my only company.
"He's appeared each afternoon for the past two days.
"He has two milky white paws.
"If he comes calling tomorrow...
"...I will name him Two-Socks. "
"Almost a month and no one has come.
"The longer this condition persists...
"...the less inclined I am to believe that anyone will.
"Rain has forced me indoors for most of two days now...
"...and I have begun work on an awning.
"It is the loneliest of times for me now...
"...but I can say honestly that I am not unhappy. "
"How can I marry a pretty little girl
"When I got no coat to put on?
"Soldier, soldier
"Won't you marry me
"Before the fight comes home?
"How can I marry a pretty little girl
"When I got no shoes to put on?
"How can I marry a pretty little girl
"When I got no hat to put on?
"Soldier, soldier, won't you marry me
"Before the fight comes home?
"How can I marry an ugly little girl
"When I got a pretty wife back home?"
You there!
"Have made first contact with a wild Indian.
"One came to the fort and tried to steal my horse.
"When I appeared, he became frightened and ran off.
"Have decided to bury excess ordnance lest it fall into enemy hands.
"Keeping only the barest necessities for myself.
"My afternoon rides have been pared down to short circular patrols...
"...always keeping the post in sight.
"Am taking steps to prepare for another visitation.
"Do not know how many more might be in the vicinity...
"...but am assuming that where there is one there's sure to be another.
"Most of my work has been geared toward creating the illusion...
"...of strength and stability.
"I'm still alone, however, and unless troops arrive soon...
"...all may be lost. "
Kicking Bird has been keeping to himself these last few days.
I do not like to see our medicine man walking so alone.
What does his wife say?
She says that he is keeping to himself.
That's not what I asked you.
Well, what did you ask me?
What did she say?
She said that he is keeping to himself these days.
That's what she says.
Make sure that my meat is soft.
My teeth hurt.
May I come in?
No, let him sit with me.
Our country seems good this summer...
...but I have not been out to see it.
But the buffalo are late.
And I always worry about the bellies of our children.
I was thinking of a dance.
Yes. A dance is always a good idea.
It would be good to have a strong sign.
There's a funny thing about signs.
We know when they are bad or good.
Sometimes they are strange and it's hard to understand them.
A smart man will think on these things.
If he is still confused, he will tell somebody.
For instance, he might tell you or me.
A smart man always does this.
I have seen such a sign.
Really?
I saw a man.
A naked, white man.
Are you sure it was a man?
I saw his sex.
Did you speak to him?
No.
"It's been two days now, and nothing.
"My presence here must have been reported by now.
"Have made all the preparations I can think of.
"Cannot mount an adequate defense as I am still alone.
"But will try to make a big impression when they come.
"Waiting.
"post-script....
"The man I encountered was a magnificent-looking fellow. "
He might be a god.
Or a white chief with special abilities.
That is why we should talk with him.
I do not care for this talk about this white man.
Whatever he is, he is not a Sioux, and that makes him less.
When I hear that more whites are coming, I want to laugh.
We took a hundred horses from these people.
There was no honor in it.
They don't ride well. They don't shoot well.
They're dirty.
Those soldiers could not even make it through one winter here.
And these people are said to flourish?
I think they will all be dead soon.
I think this fool is probably lost.
Wind In His Hair's words are strong and I have heard them.
It's true the whites are a poor race and hard to understand.
But make no mistake. The whites are coming.
Even our enemies agree on this.
So when I see one man alone without fear in our country...
...I do not think he is lost. I think he may have medicine.
I see someone who might speak...
...for all the white people who are coming.
I think this is a person with which treaties might be struck.
Kicking Bird is always looking ahead and that is good.
But this man cannot cover our lodges or feed our children.
He is nothing to us.
I will take some men.
We will shoot some arrows into this white man.
If he truly has medicine, he will not be hurt.
If he has no medicine, he will be dead.
No man can tell another what to do.
But killing a white man is a delicate matter.
If you kill one, more are sure to come.
It's easy to become confused by these questions.
It's hard to know what to do.
We should talk about this some more.
That is all I have to say.
What's the matter, now?
We don't think this is such a good idea.
If we take the horse of a white god...
...they will make up songs about us.
Maybe.
They will ask us to go on raids.
Who gets the horse?
I do.
I do, but we share. Now who can say this is not a great plan?
It's always the same.
Every time.
Yes, sir, I have. No, I'll ask, sir.
We'll be heroes.
They'll write songs about us.
What happened?
I don't know. My arm doesn't work.
You shouldn't have fallen off. Now we'll get in trouble.
It was your idea.
My idea was only to take the horse, not fall down.
Otter hurt himself.
What are you looking at? I'm the one who's hurt.
I will be when my father finds out. His bow will be across my back.
I am Wind In His Hair.
Do you see that I am not afraid of you?
Do you see?
The party that went against the Utes is coming back.
There are many hearts on the ground.
"I realize now that I have been wrong.
"All this time, I've been waiting.
"Waiting for what?
"For someone to find me?
"For Indians to take my horse?
"To see a buffalo?
"Since I have arrived at this post I have been walking on eggs.
"It has become a bad habit and I am sick of it.
"Tomorrow morning, I will ride out to the Indians.
"I do not know the outcome or wisdom of this thinking...
"...but I've become a target and a target makes a poor impression.
"I am through waiting. "
What are you looking at?
Son of a bitch!
No. Wait.
Wait.
You need help. You're hurt.
-You need-- -No!
Let me.... You need help.
You need help. You're hurt. Let me help you.
You're hurt.
Don't.
She's hurt.
You are not welcome here.
No. She's hurt.
Go away from us.