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Ghosts of the Confederacy

TASTANAGI:

( speaking Seminole ) A man child.

MAN:

Gather around.

TASTANAGI:

He is a man child. He shall be called "Osceola." Go to your homes.

( speaking Seminole )

RAIN:

No, I must be with you.

EBAN:

No. Go.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

What is this place?

TASTANAGI:

We are Seminole. This is our home.

SERGEANT DARCY:

We run bunches just like this one out of Florida before the war. Half-breed trash, Colonel. Filthy mix of outlaw Indians and runaway slaves.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

You know what to do, Captain.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

Sir. Company, dismount!

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Take food and supplies. I respect no man's law but my own. You can beg your Yankee carpetbagger government for compensation. And you tell them: The Ghosts of the Confederacy will not die.

SOLDIER:

Oh, you want to mess with me?!

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Your orders were to take food and supplies. Nothing more. Well. I'll be damned.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Put your little foot, put your little foot, put your little foot, right there put your little foot...

SOLDIER 2:

Give me that! Hell, that ain't nothin' but a bunch of dirt.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

...put your little foot...

SERGEANT DARCY:

Colonel! Look what I found!

COLONEL ANDERSON:

...can't you see my new shoes? Mother bought them for me.

SERGEANT DARCY:

Is that what I think it is, sir?

TASTANAGI:

This is the face of our new land.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Gold. The ancient alchemist thought he could turn lead into gold. But I know I can turn gold into bullets.

SERGEANT DARCY:

Fire! Reload. Reload!

COLONEL ANDERSON:

I would appreciate knowing Where your gold is coming from.

TASTANAGI:

There is no more.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

No, of course there isn't. I guess we need another demonstration.

SERGEANT DARCY:

Swing it around.

TROOPER:

Swing it around.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

I'm afraid I must insist on an answer.

TASTANAGI:

We have no more gold!

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Carry on.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

No, wait. Colonel, what if this man is telling the truth?

COLONEL ANDERSON:

If we had money for arms, there are thousands living under the heels of the Yankees who would be willing to join us. Stand aside, Captain. We will find the gold.

TASTANAGI:

There's a mine...! There's a mine in the hills!

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Get the men ready.

SERGEANT DARCY:

All right, men mount up!

TROOPER:

Mount up!

COLONEL ANDERSON:

We will return in seven days, and that hole will be filled with gold or we will fill it with your blood.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

Company... Move... out!

SERGEANT DARCY:

Move out!

EBAN:

What we gonna do? There's no gold. The mines, they collapsed years ago.

TASTANAGI:

Would he have believed that?

EBAN:

We got few warriors... No guns. Now we gonna have to leave before they come back.

TASTANAGI:

Where will we go? This is now our home. We must get help. We cannot go on running. No. We will stay and fight.

NATHAN:

Let me go! What are you doing?!

( gunshots ) ( gunfire continues )

CHRIS:

Town always this lively?

MAN:

Trail herd from Texas. All liquored up. Got in the mood for a lynching.

CHRIS:

Where's the law?

MAN:

The Marshall and his Deputy. That isn't even his horse.

MARY:

Stop right there.

DRUNKEN COWBOY:

Step aside, Lady.

MARY:

We don't hang men around here for no reason.

DRUNKEN COWBOY:

He killed a good man. Said he was a doctor, but he let him die.

NATHAN:

I never said I was no doctor!

MARY:

Nathan didn't kill your boss--gangrene did.

DRUNKEN COWBOY:

Be thankful we're getting rid of this quack. Ain't no darkie doctors and there never will be.

MARY:

You're not hanging that man.

DRUNKEN COWBOY:

I said get out of my way! We're late for a funeral, boys. Get this wagon moving!

MARY:

Are you people just going to let this happen?

( random gunfire and whooping )

VIRGIL:

You walk off with that rifle, and you're fired.

VIN:

Hell, I'll probably get myself killed. Now, I got to worry about a new job, too.

JD:

Hey, mister, where are we?

STAGECOACH DRIVER:

You'll get your damn head back in there if you know what's good for you. Hey, this ain't your stop!

JD:

Oh, it is now. This is why I came west.

( driver urges horses on )

DRUNKEN COWBOY:

Figured you'd like to watch your killer swing, Mr. Fallon.

( laughing )

What the hell do you want?

CHRIS:

Cut him loose.

VIN:

Reckon you'd all be happier if you just rode away.

DRUNKEN COWBOY:

Not a chance, boys.

( men laughing )

CHRIS:

You shot a lot of holes in the clouds back there. Anybody stop to reload?

JD:

I got him! I got him!

CHRIS:

You don't shoot nobody in the back.

CHRIS:

Name's Chris.

VIN:

Vin Tanner. New in town?

CHRIS:

Yesterday. You?

VIN:

Last week.

CHRIS:

Buffalo hunter?

VIN:

Among other things. Not many left to hunt.

NATHAN:

One of y'all want to pull the knife out of that fella cut me loose here?

MARY:

Gentlemen, I run the Clarion News. Where did you come from?

CHRIS:

Saloon.

MARY:

Hey, I-I want to talk to you. Where are you going?

CHRIS AND VIN:

Saloon.

VIN:

Sight's a little off.

VIRGIL:

You can keep it.

MARY:

You know them, Virgil?

VIRGIL:

Don't you recognize that stranger? The one in black? Chris Larabee.

CHRIS:

Whiskey.

VIN:

One for the doc here.

NATHAN:

Like the man said, "ain't no darkie doctors." I was a stretcher bearer in the union army. I picked up what I could in the field hospital.

TASTANAGI:

We want to hire you.

BARTENDER:

$35, give or take.

TASTANAGI:

This may not seem like much to you but it's all that we have.

CHRIS:

How many of these ghosts are there?

TASTANAGI:

Would 20 men scare you?

VIN:

Hell, I was making five dollars a week at the hardware store without anybody shooting at me.

CHRIS:

Assume we pay five dollars a head that gets us all of seven men.

NATHAN:

The Seminoles put themselves on the line for many an escaped slave. They took us in when nobody else would. For five dollars, they can have a week of my life.

VIN:

Or all of it. Hell... I wasn't planning on dying with a broom in my hand anyway.

CHRIS:

All right. Tomorrow afternoon, then.

EBAN:

We cannot put our trust in them.

TASTANAGI:

I don't.

VIN:

If they're asking for help from the white man they're desperate. How are we going to find hired guns for five dollars?

NATHAN:

I think I know a man who can help.

CHRIS:

I know one, too... if we can get him out of bed.

VIN:

Hey, you in there with my wife!

WOMAN:

Oh, Lord, it's got to be my Billy.

BUCK:

I thought he was in Yuma prison.

WOMAN:

Oh, he is. He was. Go.

( pounding at door )

WOMAN:

Just a minute, hon.

VIN:

I hear you in there! Open this door!

BUCK:

I got to go.

VIN:

I'm gonna get you!

( pounding on door )

VIN:

Sorry, ma'am. Wrong room.

CHRIS:

Afternoon, Buck. Interrupt something?

BUCK:

Chris.

BUCK:

Hi. Hey, you old war dog! Good to see you, buddy. How you doing?

CHRIS:

Easy, big fella. Folks will talk.

( Buck laughing )

CHRIS:

Got a job. You interested?

BUCK:

Yeah? What's it pay?

CHRIS:

Five dollars.

BUCK:

A day? A week?

CHRIS:

I know it ain't much.

BUCK:

How are the odds?

CHRIS:

Three... four to one.

BUCK:

It's just our kind of fight. How'd you know I was here?

CHRIS:

I make a point of knowing who's in town. Live longer that way.

VIN:

He with us?

BUCK:

Is he with you? There going to be ladies where you're going?

CHRIS:

I imagine so.

BUCK:

Then imagine I'm in.

NATHAN:

He says he's not coming. He said that's his penance.

CHRIS:

For what?

NATHAN:

He won't say. Word is he done killed a lot of men. He's a hard man to persuade.

VIN:

Could be useful in a fight.

NATHAN:

The Seminoles are the dispossessed of the earth, Josiah. Ain't saving lives a part of saving souls?

JOSIAH:

Seems to me a man ought to put his own house in order first.

VIN:

We can promise you a hell of a fight.

JOSIAH:

Hell... I've already been there.

CHRIS:

Think he'll change his mind?

NATHAN:

Maybe. We could ride by tomorrow.

EZRA:

Stand aside, sir. You are... obstructing my view. This should be...( sighs ) a piece of cake.

MAN:

Pay up.

EZRA:

Nonsense. I was encumbered by the debris on the floor.

MAN:

Well, let's just try it again.

EZRA:

With pleasure. Double or nothing.

MAN:

It's your money. Get ready to duck, boys.

BARTENDER:

He put all six in the same hole.

EZRA:

My, my... how astonishing. I've never done that before.

MAN:

You sure sobered up quickly, Mister.

EZRA:

Must be the desert air.

MAN:

We don't take kindly to being hustled. Let's see how good you can shoot with one eye.

EZRA:

Sorry for the mess.

MAN:

You only got one shot left in that popgun.

EZRA:

Well, then... you best discuss amongst yourselves which one of you is going to die.

VIN:

Nice shot, pard.

EZRA:

Dreadful. I was aiming to kill him but the... mirror was cracked.

CHRIS:

First shot was louder than the other five.

EZRA:

What are you attempting to suggest?

CHRIS:

First bullet was real. The rest were blanks.

EZRA:

Well, sir... I abhor gambling and as such, leave nothing to chance.

CHRIS:

We're looking for guns to protect an Indian village. You interested?

EZRA:

Who's financing?

CHRIS:

The village. Five dollars a man.

EZRA:

Five dollars... wouldn't even pay for my bullets. Would, uh... would he be riding with you? Not interested.

VIN:

Reckon you should be leaving town anyway.

EZRA:

I'll sleep on it.

CHRIS:

Meet us at the livery at dawn if you live that long.

NATHAN:

Why would we want to use a cheater?

CHRIS:

Might need one.

CHRIS:

Could've used a few more men.

VIN:

Fewer ways to split that huge pot.

BUCK:

Looks like you're going to have to shoot straight for once, old pard.

JD:

Whoa. I hear you fellas are headed for a fight. My name is JD Dunne, and I can ride. Whoa. And I can shoot.

( men laughing )

EZRA:

And he can fly.

BUCK:

And he can swim, too.

JD:

You! Why didn't you grab my damn horse?

( laughing )

JD:

Real funny.

CHRIS:

You made it.

EZRA:

Hell, I couldn't stay away not once I saw I'd be riding with a genuine celebrity... "The streets ran red with the blood of 20 men yesterday as new resident and notorious gunslinger Chris Larabee turned our quiet town into a shooting gallery."

MARY:

I see you've read it.

CHRIS:

As I recall, your quiet town was full of drunken scum looking to lynch a man.

MARY:

If I have to bend the facts a little to keep our town safe and if the next bunch of drunken scum decides to steer clear of here, then it was worth another black mark on your... your already less-than-stellar reputation, Mr. Larabee. You see, I... took the liberty of researching your past in my late husband's files.

CHRIS:

You read second-hand trash, and you think you know a man. You don't know me.

MARY:

I'm just trying to scare the bad element away from this town.

CHRIS:

Lady... I am the bad element

-------

NATHAN:

Why'd you change your mind?

JOSIAH:

Crows.

NATHAN:

What crows?

JOSIAH:

A sign.

NATHAN:

What does that mean?

JOSIAH:

Death.

NATHAN:

Whose?

JOSIAH:

Probably mine.

EZRA:

Well, well, a sense of humor. I look forward to many lively conversations.

NATHAN:

What about all this?

JOSIAH:

Oh... these stones will still be here if I get back.

VIN:

We can use another good man.

JOSIAH:

Not so good... but I can fight.

JD:

One... two... three... four... five...

( hammer cocking )

BUCK:

Six. If you're trying to stay hid, it's best to remove your hat.

TASTANAGI:

Welcome. We greet you with hostility.

CHRIS:

I think he means hospitality.

VIN:

Nope, I think he means hostility.

TASTANAGI:

Some of our people find it impossible to trust white men.

CHRIS:

And you?

TASTANAGI:

Not impossible. Just... difficult.

VIN:

You never told us they had a cannon.

TASTANAGI:

You didn't ask.

BUCK:

Hey, boys! Look what I found. Come on.

JD:

I was covering you... making sure you weren't walking into an ambush.

CHRIS:

How'd you get here ahead of us?

JD:

I told you, I can ride. I cut around the canyon rim.

CHRIS:

Well, I suggest you ride back the same way.

JD:

I can help. If you give me a chance I am ready to fight.

BUCK:

You think you're ready, boy? Let me guess... you learned to ride in prep school... then you read some... dime-store novel about Kit Carson... got you all fired up. Figured you'd come out west and try your hand as a gunfighter. Is that about right?

CHRIS:

Go home. You're not the type.

JD:

A man comes to you because he respects you because he'd be proud to work with you. This is how you treat him?

CHRIS:

Go home, kid.

TASTANAGI:

He is young and proud.

CHRIS:

You could carve that on his tombstone.

JOSIAH:

I'm an expert at prayers for the dying.

EZRA:

( laughing ) Oh, I like this guy. Lord help me, I like him. I'm in this for the laughs, if nothing else.

CHRIS:

Let's get started. We got four days.

TASTANAGI:

Less. He's an old warrior. He will come early... to surprise us.

TASTANAGI:

His main force rode straight into the village. Then he left some men back here.

JOSIAH:

He's a trained soldier.

CHRIS:

Probably repeat himself.

TASTANAGI:

We should take the high ground.

CHRIS:

Yeah. If we can force him through this choke hold we'll have him.

MAN:

Set that hay over there.

TASTANAGI:

We may not have guns but we have our ways of fighting.

CHRIS:

Anderson will provide the guns.

VIN:

You ever fired one of these before, Eban?

EBAN:

They don't give guns to slaves.

VIN:

Well, you're not a slave anymore. Okay. Now, take aim at that target. Bring it back a bit. Right there. Rest your elbow... right there. Now, take aim at the target and squeeze that trigger gently. Whoa! Whoo! Kicks like a mule, doesn't she? You okay?

EBAN:

Yeah.

VIN:

Who wants to go next?

EBAN:

No! I can do this.

CHILD:

Ezra, look.

EZRA:

Uh, well done, my little craftsmen but there is plenty more to do.

CHILD:

But you said...

EZRA:

Of course. A deal's a deal. Gather 'round. I did say that if you work I'll show you tricks.

VIN:

Pull it tightly against your shoulder. You got it? Squeeze the trigger.

NATHAN:

You still doing your penance, Josiah? Well, how high you going up?

JOSIAH:

Oh, high enough to make a sensible horse think twice about jumping. Collecting firewood, my friend?

NATHAN:

Mm-mmm. We got a battle coming. Boiling some water. Going to be plenty of men wounded up in here.

JOSIAH:

And dead.

EZRA:

All right, children let's see what we have wrought. Spectacular. You've all earned another trick. Gather 'round gather 'round. If my lovely assistant would pass me my blindfold, please. Thank you very much. This one is called "Aces High." Prepare to be amazed.

VIN:

The problem is you didn't have the gun pulled tightly against your shoulder.

EZRA:

To find the mystical ace of spades one must become sensitized to its vibration. Now, of course, I will expect you to applaud as I have taught you. For, when one is sensitized one can better ascertain its location.

( applause )

EZRA:

Thank you. Nothing at all, I assure you.

( branch cracking )

NATHAN:

Come on out of there, now. You don't want me coming after you.

NATHAN:

Cut me down.

RAIN:

My father told us they hired white men to protect our village.

NATHAN:

Cut me down, now.

RAIN:

They sent us here because these men cannot be trusted.

NATHAN:

That was probably real smart of them.

RAIN:

You were a slave?

NATHAN:

A long time ago.

RAIN:

Then you are one of us. Many runaways sought refuge with our tribe. Now we are one people.

NATHAN:

Now we going to cut me down?

RAIN:

You are strong. You have a woman?

NATHAN:

No, ma'am.

RAIN:

Opa Locka is looking for a husband.

( giggling softly )

NATHAN:

That's real sweet, ma'am, but, uh... Can y'all please cut me down here, please?

BUCK:

The wind blew, the clouds parted and out came the sun. I knew you wouldn't let me down, you old dog. Well, what do we have here?

NATHAN:

Found them up at their canyon. Actually, they, uh, they sort of found me.

EBAN:

What y'all doing down here? Didn't I tell y'all to stay hid?

RAIN:

Is this not our village, too? Why should we hide like rabbits while our grandfathers defend us?

BUCK:

I say we let 'em stay.

EBAN:

You touch my daughter I promise I'll kill you.

BUCK:

W-which one is your daughter?

CHRIS:

No harm will come to your women.

TASTANAGI:

Let them stay.

EZRA:

Well... the hat is a marvelous touch.

BUCK:

Howdy. How you doing today? You new in the village? You're looking beautiful I got to tell you right now. You met my friend here? My name's Buck, by the way. Playing hard to get, I see. Here we go. Excuse me. ma'am. Ladies.

RAIN:

For the bandages.

IMALA:

Who are you?

BUCK:

Nobody you need to use that pig sticker on.

IMALA:

Why are you in my village?

BUCK:

Hey! I'm one of the good guys.

IMALA:

You're wearing the wrong skin.

JD:

I got him!

BUCK:

You stupid son of a... you damn near shot me.

MAN:

Imala! He has come back!

CHILD:

Imala!

CHRIS:

Buck, let him go.

TASTANAGI:

Imala, Imala! Imala, my son! I thought you were dead!

IMALA:

I escaped from the white man's prison. Do you know why I was in prison? For the crime of not being white. And what do I find when I return? These white men.

BUCK:

That's it! Now, what in the blue blazes we doing here, then risking our lives for a chunk of gold that wouldn't even fill a tooth?

And why would I die for you?

IMALA'S WIFE:

Imala! Your son.

TASTANAGI:

He is called Osceola for the spirit of his father.

JD:

He'd be dead right now if it weren't for me.

BUCK:

You damn near shot my ear off.

JD:

But I didn't, did I? I saved your life twice. Twice!

BUCK:

You think I couldn't handle him?

JD:

I just want to prove to you that I can...Don't ever use the butt of your gun as a weapon. You keep smacking it around before long, it's going to misfire. And another thing. Get rid of this damn, stupid hat!

VIN:

( laughing ) What Buck means is thanks, kid.

CHRIS:

If you want to die young... stay.

JD:

Yes!

JD:

This guy's crazy!

VIN:

There's a little backwater town up in the Texas panhandle. Tascosa. Flatter'n a felt-covered poker table. You know it?

CHRIS:

Heard of it.

VIN:

If I wind up getting killed take my body back there. You'll get 500 for it.

CHRIS:

How come you're so valuable?

VIN:

Well, when the buffalo done run out I became a bounty hunter. I was going after Eli Joe-- a bandit who'd shot up a few banks.

$200 reward, alive or dead and I found him dead, took the body in. 'Cept it wasn't him. Old Eli framed me up for murder. Since I didn't do it, I decided not to stick around for the hanging. Wound up with a hefty bounty on my own head. So, I figure if a friend collects I get the last laugh.

pilot/30dtascosa.wavpilot/30dtascosa.wavpilot/30dtascosa.wav

EZRA:

Why'd you sign on, Josiah? What is it you expect to gain?

JOSIAH:

I saw the birds of darkness in a dream.

When I woke up, a crow was sitting on my windowsill

staring at me like the devil himself.

EZRA:

Why come here?

JOSIAH:

If death's coming, I'd just as soon meet it head on.

EZRA:

And get your reward in the hereafter?

JOSIAH:

No. No, I was, uh... I was a priest once, but, uh... had a little trouble turning the other cheek.

EZRA:

I did a turn preaching the word myself.

JOSIAH:

Is that right?

EZRA:

The best swindle I ever knew. Just stand up there under that tent terrify the congregation with avision of hellfire and pass the collection plate.

JOSIAH:

Yeah.

EZRA:

Did fine, too until I attempted to save the soul of the mayor's daughter.

JOSIAH:

Yup. Saving souls has its hazards.

MAN:

( bird cry )

CHRIS:

Time's up. Everybody, take your positions!

CHRIS:

I thought you said there were 20.

TASTANAGI:

No, I asked you if 20 would scare you.

CHRIS:

20, no. 40, yes.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

Sand.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

My instructions could not have been more explicit.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

Oh, you were very explicit, Colonel.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

And yet for some reason, they were not carried out. ( yelling ) I have shot my own men for less! Ah! Colonel Emmett Riley Anderson of the Army of the Confederate States of America. And you are...?

CHRIS:

There's no gold here, Colonel.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

No. Course there isn't. You're here for your health or the, uh, company perhaps?

VIN:

We came to ask you to leave.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

And purely out of the goodness of your heart?

BUCK:

Yep. Something like that.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Well... how many of you humanitarians are there?

CHRIS:

Enough.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

What do you say, Captain? You think there's going to be trouble?

CHRIS:

No trouble, Colonel. Just turn around and ride out.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

I like that. Audacity!

VIN:

Move on, Colonel. These people have nothing you want.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Shoot 'em down, Captain.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

Company...

( guns cocking )

Fire!

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Come on, boys. Show 'em what you're made of.

CHRIS:

Now

EZRA:

( whistles )

CHILD:

Come on, pull!

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Watch it over there!

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Whoa, now, whoa!

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Stand and fight, damn you!

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

For God's sake Colonel! For the Love of God, Colonel, let's go!

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Damn it all to hell! Sound retreat!

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

Come on!

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Retreat!

WOMAN:

Now.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Come on!

JD:

( screaming )

( bugle playing )

TASTANAGI:

( triumphant yelling )

EBAN:

( laughing )

JD:

Oh, God.

VIN:

Ride on, Colonel. Ride on.

TASTANAGI:

( speaking Seminole ) We have won.

CHRIS:

Your people fought well.

TASTANAGI:

We fight well together.

BUCK:

We whupped 'em good, old pard.

VIN:

What do you think?

CHRIS:

Maybe. Buck, get up on that ridge, keep a lookout.

BUCK:

Hell they ain't gonna stop running till they hit the Rio Grande.

VIN:

I'll take first watch.

CHRIS:

All right. Are you all right?

JD:

Yeah. Oh, it's not my blood.

BUCK:

You're damn lucky it isn't your blood, son. Now, you don't fan your guns. That spoils your aim. One good shot is better than six bad ones.

JD:

Anything else?!

BUCK:

No, that's about it for now.

IMALA:

You know how to use that knife.

NATHAN:

I prefer to use it for healing. Keep pressure on that, huh?

IMALA:

Me-doh.

NATHAN:

( speaks Seminole )

NATHAN:

Let me see that arm.

EZRA:

It's fine. I just... bruised it when I fell.

NATHAN:

No, no, no, that ain't no bruise, now. Let me see.

EZRA:

I said it's fine.

NATHAN:

Suit yourself.

EZRA:

( groans )

NATHAN:

Just like I thought, you dislocated it. Might be sore for a little while but at least you have two hands to cheat at cards with.

JOSIAH:

Rest easy, friend.

NATHAN:

How's he doing there?

EBAN:

Not good.

JOSIAH:

Whoever your God is... you can go to him in peace.

IMALA:

Leave him.

JOSIAH:

( gasps )

IMALA:

We don't believe in your white man's religion.

JOSIAH:

Nor do I, my friend.

EBAN:

He been hit.

NATHAN:

Looks like the bullet went clean through but he lost a lot of blood.

TASTANAGI:

Why didn't you tell us you were hurt?

JOSIAH:

You didn't ask.

CHRIS:

Your birds lied, Josiah.

JOSIAH:

We shall see.

----

CHRIS:

Is he all right?

BUCK:

Wasn't like them dime-store novels, was it?

JD:

I didn't count on seeing their eyes.

BUCK:

Well, if you can see their eyes then you're too close. And you never break cover. You stand in front of bullets, you're likely to die.

JD:

You done, Buck?

CHRIS:

Why don't you slow down a little bit, son?

JD:

What in the hell gives you the right to tell me what to do?!

BUCK:

He had a son once. Never had a chance to see him grow up, though. He lost that boy-- and his wife-- in a fire and that burned half the soul out of that man.

BUCK:

Josiah, you still with us?

JOSIAH:

Scoot on over there, Buck. I'm a spiritual man. Sometimes I turn to the wrong kinds of spirits.

EZRA:

Your fate is in the cards, gentlemen. Remember that.

CHILD:

What's my fate?

EZRA:

You shall grow to be a great warrior. Big, strong and fearless.

CHILD:

Like you.

EZRA:

There are two kinds of people in this life, my friend: those who seek battle and seem not to fear death-- like them-- and those who avoid battle but will stand and fight to the death if their loved ones are threatened-- like them. That is true courage. Now... you have lost to me at poker and I have read the cards for you. The time has come to pay. You see... I've heard tell of a gold mine in these parts.

CHILD:

We're not to speak of it.

EZRA:

Well, good. Then it is a valuable secret. One such secret could wipe out all your debts. So... let's talk about this mine... shall we?

CHRIS:

He's beautiful.

TASTANAGI:

Yeah. I've had many children. I've outlived most of them. Now, all of these are my children.

CHRIS:

Home, family-- things worth fighting for.

EZRA:

El Dorado.

CHRIS:

What's cooking?

JOSIAH:

Chili and beans.

CHRIS:

Well, we'll be back in two hours.

JOSIAH:

It'll be ready.

CHRIS:

Who's on watch?

BUCK:

Ezra. Replaced me a couple hours ago.

CHRIS:

All right.

EZRA:

This must have caved in years ago.

CHRIS:

All right, we'll take a wider arc across the plain. Make sure the ghosts are really gone.

VIN:

What the hell is that?

CHRIS:

It's the cannon.

TROOPER:

Fire!

( explosion )

SERGEANT DARCY:

Bring it around! Reload! Move it! Ready! Fire!

VIN:

Another couple of rounds, They'll have the range.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Lower the damn elevation.

CHRIS:

Come on!

SERGEANT DARCY:

Fire!

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

Colonel, that village has no fortifications. We're wasting powder and shot.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Waste? Men who survived the battles at Shiloh and Bull Run-- the finest sons of the south-- and they die here? I'll wipe this place from the face of the earth. I'll fire rocks if I have to. Fire!

SERGEANT DARCY:

Ready! Fire!

CHRIS:

Here they come!

SERGEANT DARCY:

Reload!

CHRIS:

Everybody into the bluffs! That cannon will tear these adobes apart!

SERGEANT DARCY:

At the ready!

NATHAN:

Come with me! Come on! Come on!

CHRIS:

Go! There! Leave it! Leave it!

SERGEANT DARCY:

Fire!

CHRIS:

Leave it!

RAIN:

Father? No, God! Not my dad...! Oh, my God.

NATHAN:

We got to go! We got to go, Rain!

CHRIS:

Come on. Come on! Come on! Come on! Down, down! Everybody down!

VIN:

What the hell happened to Ezra?!

CHRIS:

I don't know.

SERGEANT DARCY:

Reload! Fire!

EZRA:

Then there's the third kind.

SERGEANT DARCY:

Fire!

JOSIAH:

Go... go.

CHRIS:

We got two options: we can ride up after that gun...

BUCK:

That's no option. That's suicide.

JD:

Or? What's the other option?

CHRIS:

We could raise a white flag.

SERGEANT DARCY:

Reload!

BUCK:

Or three, we could mount up and we could ride the hell out of here!

RAIN:

Go, then! With my last breath, I will fight these men.

NATHAN:

Them's rebs up there. That makes it my fight.

JD:

I'm not going anywhere. I haven't shot anyone yet.

BUCK:

They'll see us before we get five paces, and that gun will cut us to pieces!

CHRIS:

There's got to be another way up there!

IMALA:

There is. We can climb.

VIN:

You remember why we're doing this?

CHRIS:

Does it make any difference?

VIN:

Guess not.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

(gasping)

SERGEANT DARCY:

Reload! To the left! Bring it around!

JD:

My hands are shaking so bad, Buck I can barely hang on.

BUCK:

Good.

JD:

Good?

BUCK:

Yeah, good. Means your juices are flowin'. Fear keeps you sharp, kid.

JD:

Hey, Buck?

BUCK:

Yeah.

JD:

You're full of crap.

BUCK:

( chuckles ) You just figuring that out now?

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Come in.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

I didn't go to west point. I'm really just a sergeant by trade...

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Well, you're a captain now, so speak up.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

Well, I think we should save our ammunition and give them a chance to surrender.

SERGEANT DARCY:

Fire!

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Well, thank you for your... advice, Captain. You keep firing.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

Colonel, they're just poor, defenseless people down there.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

And hired killers, captain. Not soldiers.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

You may be underestimating them, Sir.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Keep firing.

SERGEANT DARCY:

At the ready! Fire!

( gunfire )

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

Surrender... or die where you stand.

VIN:

I'll take that five dollars now.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

One battle don't win the war, boys. Chain them up, Sergeant Darcy.

SERGEANT DARCY:

Make them nice and tight, boys.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

I was there at Shiloh, Captain.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

I know you were at Shiloh, Colonel.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

The union lines had broken. They were in full retreat. There was no way they could counterattack. But they did. Our surviving officers were herded up like cattle forced to watch as they raised that union flag. Then they fired off that cannon and we were all left for dead. And I lay there amongst that carnage surrounded by the bodies of my dead brothers. Well... we're going to raise the stars and bars over that little village. I want it to be the last thing these boys ever see.

SERGEANT DARCY:

All right! Let's get some muscle behind it! Move it up there on that flat now!

BUCK:

How do you like the wild west now, kid?

JD:

You think you got me pegged, don't you Buck? Rich kid, had it all. Yeah, I lived in a big mansion. My mother was a chamber maid. Never knew my father. They made me a stable boy and I taught myself how to ride.

TROOPER:

Get down!

JD:

Mama died last year. She'd saved a little money. Wanted me to go to college. It wasn't enough.

BUCK:

Life's tough, huh? And then you die.

JOSIAH:

Mind not leaning against my bad leg?

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

Are you ordering all these prisoners to be executed, Sir?

COLONEL ANDERSON:

That is correct.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

But, colonel, these men surrendered.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

And we shall reward them with a quick and merciful death. They shall not be made to suffer, as I was.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

That's murder, Sir.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Are you refusing my order, Corcoran?

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

Colonel... Colonel, we've been riding together for a long, long time, you and I. Following your orders has saved my life more times than I can remember. But this, I...

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Yes?

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

I can't do it, Sir.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

But that's treason.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

Treason? Treason against what? The war is over, sir.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Darcy! You disappoint me, Francis.

SERGEANT DARCY:

Sir!

COLONEL ANDERSON:

This man is stripped of rank and privilege. You're hereby promoted to Captain. Place the mutineer among the other prisoners. And then execute them all.

SERGEANT DARCY:

All, sir?

COLONEL ANDERSON:

I think I made myself clear, Captain Darcy. When our flag reaches the top of the staff execute the prisoners.

SERGEANT DARCY:

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Private?

BUCK:

How about it, Johnny Reb? I bet you never thought your boss would go loco on you.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

I'll have you know Colonel Anderson was one of the finest soldiers in any man's army. I owe my life to him.

VIN:

And soon, your death.

BUCK AND JOSIAH:

( laughs )

TROOPER:

Captain, I got to go get rid of some of this coffee.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Set up the flag pole over there.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Well... I hear the clank of gold bars and the roar of the guns as we hit back at the Yankees. Here's what we're going to do now. We're going to have us a little flag-raising ceremony. Then we're going to execute us some prisoners with our little cannon. Then you're going to show me where that mine is.

TASTANAGI:

There is no gold in that mine.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Oh, no! Of course not! You're going to show me, old man.

SERGEANT DARCY:

About time. They'll be raising the flag soon.

EZRA:

I wouldn't want to miss this. Nobody move, or he's dead. I leave you boys alone for five minutes and look what happens.

SERGEANT DARCY:

You'll only get one shot off before we take you.

EZRA:

Then you best discuss amongst yourselves which one of you is going to die.

SERGEANT DARCY:

( laughs ) Pick 'em yourself. The rest of us will tear you apart.

EZRA:

Well, I guess I'll just have to take all of us.

SERGEANT DARCY:

Why, that powder keg's empty, Mister. Drop it.

TROOPER:

Raise the colors.

SERGEANT DARCY:

Big mistake, sonny boy. You shouldn't have tried that.

EZRA:

I know. I can't imagine what came over me.

SERGEANT DARCY:

( laughing )

EZRA:

Uh-uh.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

You're outnumbered three to one. Anderson's a mad dog. You'll all die.

CHRIS:

We know what to do with a mad dog. Don't ever run out on me again.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

Take me with you. I know him. I know him. I know his methods. I'll kill him.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Give me that glass, Soldier. What the hell? Troop B!

TROOPER:

Yes, sir!

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Check out that cannon.

CHRIS:

Let's finish this.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

All right, you men take the high ground. Command the approaches.

EZRA:

Drop your guns... or join your friends. Much obliged.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Show yourself... damn it. Show yourselves. Show yourself.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Come on, Let's go. Troop C, run them down! Watch it over there! Get on out!

CHRIS:

He's up there. He's up there! Get down, get down, get down. Get Anderson. No matter what, get Anderson!

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Ammo! Ammo!

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

( groaning)

CHRIS:

I can't get him.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Show them what you're made of, now! Come on!

JOSIAH:

Bastard won't go down!

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Whoa. You can't kill me. I'm a ghost of the Confederacy and I will not die.

NATHAN:

He's so pumped full of laudanum someone could chop off his head and he wouldn't feel it.

JD:

Oh, he'll feel this! ( gasping )

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Finish it!

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

This has to stop, sir.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

Francis... You were like a son to me.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

Don't make me do this, Sir.

COLONEL ANDERSON:

My God... you're a coward.

CHRIS:

The war is over! Go back to your families.

CAPTAIN CORCORAN:

He's dead. It's finished now.

BUCK:

Hey, pard. We got him.

CHRIS:

We did it.

BUCK:

Mm-hmm.

JD:

Buck...

BUCK:

Hey, kid... do me a favor. Get yourself a real hat. Never did get to spend any time with those fine ladies.

NATHAN:

You will, but first let's get you stitched up, Buck.

CHRIS:

It's Imala's.

TASTANAGI:

You fought with him... Not against him. Me-doh.

CHRIS:

Where you headed?

VIN:

Tascosa.

CHRIS:

Tascosa? Why?

VIN:

Never know how much time there'll be to set things right.

CHRIS:

They got a saloon there?

VIN:

I reckon.

TASTANAGI:

You leaving?

CHRIS:

Yes.

TASTANAGI:

Hmm.

VIN:

Never could figure out how to split it seven ways.

CHRIS:

You can use it again next time you're threatened.

TASTANAGI:

Oh, the next time we will welcome our enemies with great hospitality.

CHRIS:

I think you mean hostility.

TASTANAGI:

No. Hospitality. I will even open the doors of my home to them.

CHRIS:

That will do it.

VIN:

Mmm-hmmm

TASTANAGI:

You will always be welcome in our village. ( speaking Seminole )

VIN:

Me-doh, my friend.

BUCK:

Hey, kid... If you're not going to wear that hat, then I'll take it back.

JD:

Buck! But you look awful.

BUCK:

Well, son, it's damn near impossible. Ooh. You riding with us?

JD:

Try and keep me away. Yee-haw!

BUCK:

Don't make me laugh, kid.

CHILD:

Ezra... Can I come?

EZRA:

A brave warrior like you? You got to stay here and protect the village. You remember what I taught you?

CHILD:

Never draw to an inside straight.

EZRA:

What about you, Mr. Jackson? You, uh, willing to ride with an old Southern boy?

NATHAN:

I figure I'll stick around for a while help these folks get things right.

VIN:

You shoot a cannon pretty well, pard.

EZRA:

Dreadful. I was trying to hit Anderson.

NATHAN:

Where you going? Get down off that horse. You lost too much blood. You'll die out there.

JOSIAH:

If that's what's meant to be.

NATHAN:

The damn birds will get you soon enough. You don't have to go chasing after them.

JOSIAH:

You're a good man, Nathan.

RAIN:

Go. I'll wait for you.

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