Get in there, Luke. Get in there, I said.
Come on, there.
- Driver? - Get in there, Rosie.
Driver, how much further to this Hasenpfeffer...
...or whatever you call the confounded place?
Hassayampa? Oh, shouldn't be long now.
Once over the rise and round the bend, then along a piece.
According to your schedule, we should've been there an hour ago.
You don't suppose we could've passed her, do you, Fink?
Might of, at that.
Don't you worry, soldier boy. We'll get you there.
Soldier boy.
What a country. Forty miles from mudhole to mudhole.
Mule Creek, Deadman's Squaw, Schmidt's Wells.
Hangman's Flats, Hassayampa.
At end of the rainbow, Fort Apache.
Fort Apache.
Blast an ungrateful war department that sends a man to a post out here.
Anyway, I'll be with you.
I hated all those years you were in Europe.
Better there than here.
I didn't mean it that way, Phil.
It's just that after all I've done and been, to be shunted aside like this...
We're coming in. Practically on schedule. Right, Fink?
Practically.
- Ma Macbean? - Hi. I'm coming.
- Nice trip, boys? - Smooth as a rock.
How far is it to Fort Apache?
Oh, the fort's 35 miles south of here. Were you expected?
- I telegraphed. - Oh, that.
Telegraphs doesn't mean a thing.
One day the wire's up, the next day they're down.
Thirty-five miles south. Madam, is there a livery stable here?
No.
There must be some way to rent a vehicle.
- A what? - A rig. Any kind of rig.
Nothing fit for the lassie to ride in.
Oh, my, that's a real bonny bonnet, miss.
- St. Louis? - Boston.
- Oh, Boston, Massachusetts? - Here.
Oh, my.
That's mighty pretty, Ma.
Oh, my.
Oh, would you not like a wee cup of tea and get rid of the dust?
Thank you. If it isn't too much trouble.
Not a bit, lass, not a bit. Come on. Right in here.
Son, how about a drink?
Gentlemen, I could use one.
Women.
There's your towel. You'll be as fresh as a daisy.
Thanks, Ma.
Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am. I thought it was Ma. I beg your pardon, miss.
Who and what are you, mister?
Lieutenant Michael O'Rourke, sir. En route for duty at Fort Apache, sir.
- Get into uniform, mister. - Yes, sir.
- Is there another wash-up back here, mister? - Through the lean-to, sir.
Soldiers.
Giddap. Giddap.
- Johnny Reb. - Uncle Festus.
- Timmy. - Uncle Dan.
Gentlemen, gentlemen. Your manners.
Sergeant Mulcahy, with ambulance and escort...
...for Lieutenant Michael O'Rourke.
Very good, sergeant. At ease.
At ease, he says. At ease.
Hey! Hey!
- How much you pay for it? - Seventy-five dollars.
- I could've swiped you one better than that. - Well, it's tailor-made.
Well, look at the fit. A perfect soldier.
What do you think of it, ma'am?
Wonderful.
Ma'am, this is my godson Lieutenant O'Rourke.
Many's the time he's come to me with a wet nose.
Attention!
I am Colonel Thursday. I presume you have been sent for me.
- No, sir. - What are you doing here?
Escorting the ambulance from Fort Apache for Lieutenant O'Rourke, sir.
- Have you had no orders regarding me? - No, sir.
They couldn't have known of your arrival, sir.
That's obvious, mister.
Unless it's the custom at Fort Apache...
...to provide transportation for incoming second lieutenants...
...and leave a commanding officer to travel shanks' mare.
You will, of course, sir, accept my ambulance.
Thank you, mister.
- Sergeant, we'll leave in one half-hour. - Yes, sir.
Get these men a drink and put it on my account.
- We thank the colonel. - Thank you, sir.
Oh, may I present Mr. O'Brien.
O'Rourke, sir.
O'Rourke. This is my daughter Miss Philadelphia.
How do you do.
Your servant, ma'am.
Four bottles of cool beer, Ma.
And I'll have the same with a whisky chaser.
Halt, who goes there?
The new commanding officer.
Holy Moses.
No, the new commanding officer.
Attention!
At your ease, gentlemen.
- Thursday. - Hello, Collingwood.
How do you do, Mrs. Collingwood.
Well, thank you, Owen.
And this must be Philadelphia.
You don't remember me, do you?
Emily Collingwood. Your mother was my dearest friend.
Why, of course. Oh, I've heard so much about you.
- We didn't expect you. - So I see.
Captain York.
I'm Captain York, sir. I bid you welcome, General Thursday.
I'm not a general, captain. A man is what he's paid for.
I'm paid in the rank of lieutenant colonel.
I remembered you as a general from the war, sir.
Very flattering. Didn't you receive my telegraph, captain?
The wires have been down between here and Fort Grant for two days.
We've had no communications.
Two days? The break should have been repaired.
It's 110 miles to Fort Grant, sir.
Then I take it this dance is not in my honor.
- It's a birthday dance, sir. - Birthday. Whose birthday?
General George Washington's, sir.
Shall I show you to your quarters, or will you remain?
- Well, under the circumstances, l... - Miss Thursday?
Hi, Dad.
Mickey.
Woman of the house, your son is home.
- Son. - Hi, Ma.
Oh, how fine you look. But you're so tall.
Oh, Michael, stand over beside the boy so I can see.
Oh, you're just exactly the same.
Now, come over here and sit down and tell me everything.
Gee, Ma, you haven't changed a bit. Nothing has.
And why would it? Four years is not so long.
Or did you think to find me grown gray completely?
Woman, I'll leave you alone with your son.
Lieutenant Michael O'Rourke, sir.
Have I the lieutenant's permission to leave, sir?
Sergeant Major O'Rourke has permission.
Thank you, sir.
Michael, God's blessing on you this day.
Boys, I'm not a drinking man, as you know, but there are times.
And tonight, if the sutler's store is still open...
Michael, darling, if it ain't, I'll kick the door down with me bare fists.
Dad?
Good morning.
It's all right.
There's no one here but me, and I've been up for simply ages.
Did you want to see Father or me?
Well, neither, really.
I just called to leave my card.
Oh, how nice.
But if you didn't want to see me...
I mean, if you don't want to see us...
...then what do you want to leave your card for?
I didn't say I didn't want to see you.
Why, you did so.
I asked if you wanted to see Father or me...
...and you said, your exact words, "Well, neither, really."
Well, what I meant to say was I didn't expect to see either of you.
Well, who did you expect to see?
After all, we do live here.
Why don't you sit down?
Good morning, good morning, fair dancing partner.
- Good morning, sir. - Relax, Mickey.
I got some bad news for you. You've been assigned to my troop.
Michael Shannon O'Rourke, lieutenant, United States Army.
Leaving your calling cards already, Mickey, eh?
He can keep his old cards.
Oh, he can't do that. Protocol requires it.
An officer, upon reporting to a new post...
...must wait upon his commanding officer at the first possible moment.
He will leave his card.
He will leave an additional card for each lady in the commanding officer's family.
All other officers on the post...
...will leave their cards at the quarters of the incoming officer, right?
Right. Now do you understand?
- It was just a duty call? - That's it. Just a duty call.
But there's nothing in the regulations that says an officer's daughter...
...should receive such cards on her back porch in her nightie.
Pish-tush. This is not a nightie. It's a dressing gown, isn't it?
- I wouldn't know. - And I haven't received any cards, anyway.
Well, hand them over to her, Mickey.
Oh, I get it, Miss Thursday.
The lieutenant expected someone to meet him at the door with a silver salver.
- A what? - A silver salver.
He drop the cards in that and hurry away.
You don't happen to have a silver salver, do you?
A silver salver? Our things haven't even arrived.
Why, last night I slept on a horse blanket.
Attention! Sergeant Major O'Rourke, sir.
At ease.
- Did you say, "O'Rourke"? - Yes, sir.
Place seems to be full of O'Rourkes.
Have the trumpeter sound officer's call.
Officer's call?
How long you been in the Army, O'Rourke?
In the United States Army? 15 years, sir.
Then you've heard of officer's call. Have it sounded.
Yes, sir.
- Derice, sound officer's call. - Now?
No, next Christmas, you loony. How long you been in the Army?
Then you've heard of officer's call. Sound it.
"War Department, Washington, D.C. Special-orders number 687.
One. Lieutenant Colonel Owen Thursday is hereby relieved of his present duties...
...and will proceed to Fort Apache, territory of Arizona...
...and upon arrival assume command of that post.
Travel directed..." And so forth.
"By direction of the Secretary of War, William B. Stayforth."
In compliance with these orders, I take command of the regiment...
...relieving Captain Kirby York, who is returned to his troop.
Captain Collingwood is relieved of the duties of regimental adjutant...
...and returned to his troop.
Lieutenant Gates is appointed adjutant.
At ease, gentlemen.
Gentlemen, I did not seek this command, but since it's been assigned me...
...I intend to make this regiment the finest on the frontier.
I fully realize that prolonged duty in a small outpost...
...can lead to carelessness...
...and inefficiency, and laxity in dress and deportment.
I call it to your attention that only one of you...
...has reported here this morning properly dressed.
The uniform, gentlemen, is not a subject for individual whimsical expression.
We're not cowboys at this post...
...nor freighters with a load of alfalfa.
Mr. Murphy.
O'Rourke, sir.
Mr. O'Rourke, will you step forward.
Gentlemen, I call your attention to Mr. O'Rourke's dress.
Being fresh from West Point...
...Mr. O'Rourke has not forgotten Army regulations.
I trust my other officers will remember them in the future.
And I will insist they be enforced throughout the command.
Understand me, gentlemen, I am not a martinet.
But I do want to take pride in my command.
We here have little chance for glory or advancement.
While some of our brother officers are leading...
...their well-publicized campaigns against the great Indian nations...
...the Sioux and the Cheyenne...
...we are asked to ward off the gnat stings and flea bites...
...of a few cowardly Digger Indians.
Your pardon, colonel. You'd hardly call Apaches "Digger Indians," sir.
You'd scarcely compare them with the Sioux, captain.
No, I don't.
The Sioux once raided into Apache territory.
Old-timers told me you could follow their line of retreat...
...by the bones of their dead.
I suggest the Apache has deteriorated since then...
...judging by a few of the specimens I've seen on my way out here.
Well, if you saw them, sir, they weren't Apaches.
We'll discuss the Apache some other time, captain.
The immediate point, gentlemen, is that I hope to know you all better.
If we don't understand each other now, we soon will.
Questions?
Good morning, gentlemen. You may return to your breakfasts or your other duties.
Captain Collingwood, will you remain?
Go on.
Gentlemen, are there any questions?
If there are none, I intend to follow orders and have breakfast.
Good morning, gentlemen.
Report to your coop.
Sir.
Nothing personal in this, Sam.
No explanations, Owen. We've never had them before.
- Although, once, I tried. - There was nothing to explain.
No, nothing.
You did what you did. Rode to glory.
I did what I did. Wound up at Fort Apache.
- Well, you've wound up here too. - Oh, by thunder.
I've not wound up. Not by a jugful.
They've pushed me aside, sent me up to this tenpenny post.
But they'll not keep me buried. I'll find something.
This isn't a country for glory, Owen.
I'll take my risks. I always have.
Well, then all I can do is wish you good luck.
And I wish you that sincerely.
Thank you, Sam.
Will you have a drink?
No, thanks, Owen. It's a little early in the day.
Even for me.
Anything new about my transfer?
- Sorry, sir, nothing yet. - Thank you.
- O'Rourke. - Yes, sir.
I require a mount. Have two or three brought over for my selection.
- Yes, sir. - O'Rourke.
Sir.
This Lieutenant O'Rourke, are you, by chance, related?
Not by chance, sir. By blood. He's my son.
I see.
How did he happen to get into West Point?
It happened by presidential appointment, sir.
Are you a former officer, O'Rourke?
During the war, I was a major in the 69th New York Regiment.
The Irish Brigade, sir.
Still, it's been my impression that presidential appointments...
...were restricted to sons of holders of the Medal of Honor.
That is my impression too, sir. Will that be all, sir?
Yes, sergeant. It will.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
- Good morning, ma'am.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Excuse me. Could you tell me where Mrs. Collingwood lives.
- Oh, right in there, dear. - Thank you.
- Good morning. - Philadelphia. Philly.
L... I was just... I know it's terribly early to call but...
Nonsense. Come in, dear. I'm so glad to see you.
I was just passing and...
My, what a beautiful sideboard.
And those candlesticks.
They were my Aunt Martha's.
I was her favorite niece, so when she died...
...she left her fortune to a home for stray cats...
...and the candlesticks to me.
They're lovely.
Everything is.
But our place, it... It's so bare and... And so dirty.
- Oh, you poor child. - And there's no water.
- Mrs. Collingwood. - Aunt Emily.
Aunt Emily, what does a woman do in the Army?
Our things haven't... We haven't even got a coffeepot.
Do I get someone to help me or?
Owen. Owen Thursday. That man.
Now, don't you fret, dear.
In times of trouble, we call on Mrs. O'Rourke.
- Mrs. O'Rourke? - Mrs. O'Rourke.
Martha, where's Mrs. O'Rourke?
- Mrs. O'Rourke. - Mrs. O'Rourke.
- Oh, yes, what is it?
- Mrs. O'Rourke. - Oh, yes, Mrs. Collingwood?
Yes, Mrs. Collingwood? Yes?
Mary, this is Colonel Thursday's daughter...
...and this is Mrs. O'Rourke, the wife of our sergeant major...
...and the mother of a very fine young officer.
How do you do, Mrs. O'Rourke.
Sam told me about Michael's arrival. How happy you must be.
Oh, I am.
- How does he look? - Oh, he looks wonderful.
I mean, he makes a very fine officer.
Mary, this poor child has to set up house in that bare barn.
Don't you worry, I'll tend to everything.
Well, he is nice.
Order. And one, two, three.
All right, now let's try it together.
Carry arm. One, two, three.
Put that piece on the ground.
Pick it up.
Put that piece down, soldier.
Well, captain, when you say carry arm, you mean to carry this little gun?
- Get back in line. - Yes, sir. I was... I was only asking.
- Shut up and put your hat on. - Yes, sir.
I'm sorry, soldier. I was only trying to tell you.
- How's the boy doing, Festus? - Oh, he's doing fine, Michael.
But nevertheless, he's an officer and a gentleman.
And that's no job for a gentleman.
Well, then.
Come on.
Would Lieutenant O'Rourke please step over to the stable, sir.
But these men, they're pretty rough.
But the sergeants... The sergeants can take over the drill, sir.
Very well. Sergeants, continue with the drill.
Yes, sir.
Now, the first thing to do after becoming a soldier is to look like a soldier.
To look like a soldier, you got to stand like a soldier.
Suck in that belly. Get that hand out of your pocket.
Straighten up those legs. Pull those feet out. Get that chin up.
Wait a minute, Daniel, darling. Just one moment.
I'm gonna make this squad the finest party of men in the American Army.
Get back in line there.
Hold your head up. Head and eyes straight to the front.
Heels together and your toes apart.
At the approximate angle of 45 degrees.
I've never seen such a ragged line.
- Just come out and look at yourselves. - Get back there.
Now, is there any man here from Tipperary?
Is there any man here from Cork?
Is there any man here from County Sligo?
Yes, sir.
Now, we don't want to show any favoritism about this...
...but you're now an acting corporal.
Now, Sergeant Shattuck will take you in the manual of arms.
That is, by numbers. Meaning one, two...
Come on, get back in line there.
Get on your feet. Get in here.
Hello, son.
It's from your mother and myself.
Oh, gee, Dad, he's a beauty.
He's thoroughbred and Morgan. Get on him, ride him.
Come on.
Hey, Dad, he's a beauty.
He's a leaper, that one. Go on, take him.
- Four. One, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four.
There's Sergeant John McAfferty And Corporal Donahue
They make us march up to the crack In gallant Company Q
The drums they roll upon my soul For that's the way we go
Forty miles a day on beans and hay In the regular Army, oh
There's Sergeant John McAfferty And Corporal Donahue
They make us march up to the crack In gallant Company Q
The drums they roll upon my soul For that's the way we go
Forty miles a day on beans and hay In the regular Army, oh
- Those recruits, captain? - Yes, sir. First day's drill.
They show promise.
A good officer, that O'Rourke.
West Point training, colonel.
Surprise.
Well, what do you think of your new quarters?
Well, did you do all this yourself?
Naturally. Even moved the piano.
No. Mrs. Collingwood and Mrs. O'Rourke helped me.
They were wonderful.
Mrs. Collingwood gave me these things and the drapes...
...and Mrs. Grayson gave us Great-Uncle Abraham.
He was a very famous man.
And Mrs. Tompkins gave us that chair, and little Mrs. Gates gave us the stool.
Only it doesn't quite match the room.
And Francisco gave us Guadalupe.
How do you do.
She's our cook.
I'm proud of you.
Someday you're going to be a proper soldier's wife.
And Dr. Wilkens wanted you to have this.
- It's a little rump sprung, he... - What?
But very comfortable.
And I helped with the dinner.
I'm sorry, l... I forgot to tell you.
It does that sometimes.
Good evening, sir.
I'm sorry to interrupt, but Fort Grant is flashing a general alarm, sir.
Have any of our patrols reported, Mr. Gates?
No, sir.
Keep the wire open to Fort Grant.
- I'll return to the headquarters immediately. - Yes, sir.
My cap and gloves. What's your name?
Guadalupe.
But, Dad. Dinner.
Don't wait for me. I may be hours.
There'll be other dinners, Phil.
Yes, Dad.
It's all right, Guadalupe.
We'll cook other dinners together.
- Phil. - Good evening, Miss Thursday.
- Having a party. Oh, I'm terribly sorry. - No, you come right in, dear.
It's just a little welcome for Lieutenant O'Rourke.
Your servant, ma'am.
Couldn't have come at a better time. Could she?
- No one more welcome. - No, indeed.
Now then, who shall get this prize?
Our host, of course.
I don't trust you, Sam Collingwood.
No, you shall sit here on my right, next to Captain York.
Thank you.
So Lieutenant O'Rourke can have a look at you.
- Well, I don't know whether that's fair. - Why not?
- Because you'll have to look at him. - Well, I hope she does.
- You don't drink wine, do you? - No, thank you.
- Good girl, Philadelphia. - Coffee, dear.
Were you born in Philadelphia?
No, Pomfret, Connecticut. I was named after my mother.
Oh, she was born in Philadelphia.
No, Pawtucket, Rhode Island. She was named after Grandmother.
Grandmother was the first Philadelphia in our family.
- Oh, then she was...? - No, Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Let's ta... Let's talk about horses.
Do you ride, Pawtuc... Pom... Phil?
- Yes, I do. - Well, good.
We'll have to order some nice young officer to take you riding.
Emily.
- Shall we leave the men to their cigars, Phil. - All right.
- Have a cigar, Kirby, and I'll join you. - Sit down, dear.
I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have you here at the post, Mrs. Collingwood.
- I think you'll get along even without me. - Without?
We're just marking time, you know.
Sam has applied for transfer to West Point as instructor.
Oh, I didn't know.
When are you leaving, captain?
Leaving? Leaving for where? I'm not going anywhere.
Leave my own party?
Phil meant for the academy, Sam.
Oh, that.
Soon, I hope.
Or they may reject me.
Oh, Sam. Sam, they couldn't.
They've had my application a long time, dear.
You know how the Army is, Sam.
Yes, and I know its opinion of me.
And you know our opinion of you too. Isn't that enough?
And you know what the men think of you, sir.
Captain, lieutenant, my compliments.
Bravo, Quincannon.
Thank you, Quincannon. Thank you.
One before each meal.
Sergeant, take him back to the guardhouse.
There was Sergeant John McAfferty And Corporal Donahue
This is against all tradition.
A man comes to serenade a lady, and what does he find?
Her husband and half the regiment on the balcony.
- I am crushed. - You're a faintheart, doctor.
You only serenade when husbands are around.
And for good reason, ma'am.
Seeing what a sorry romantic figure I cut...
...the husband takes pity on me and brings out his best port.
Oh, good evening, Captain Collingwood.
- This is blackmail, but you'll find the 1846... - I know where it is.
The last time I looked, there were four bottles of '46.
I expect to find my property intact.
- The insolence of the man. - One, two, three... It's all here.
You are an honorable man.
And since this is an occasion, your glasses.
Come.
Let's drink a toast to the young people.
Miss Thursday.
Mickey.
Then you will go riding with me tomorrow?
Of course.
If you really want me to.
To the colonel's lady and Mickey O'Rourke.
- Here's luck, huh? - They'll need it, poor darlings.
Attention!
Men...
...today we gonna put you on the horses.
No more walking.
And by the time we get through with you...
...you'll be riding like senators, the all of youse.
And your rough-riding sergeant will be Sergeant Beaufort.
Relax!
Attention.
Gentlemen, this is a horse.
You will observe, it has no saddle.
The reason it has no saddle...
...is because it will be easier for you to stay on without the saddle.
Now, before we progress...
...did any of you gentlemen serve with the Southern arms...
...during the War Between the States?
Yes, sir. I had the pride, sir, of serving with Bedford Forrest.
- I am proud to shake your hand. - Thank you, sir.
I hope you have the pleasure of buying me a drink on payday.
An honor, sir.
You are now an acting corporal.
- Sergeant... - Please. Please, Sergeant Mulcahy.
Oh, let them have one.
And now, gentlemen, this gallant soldier...
...this member of the greatest cavalry force that ever lived...
...will show you Yankees how to ride.
- Attention! - Attention!
Now you see how easy it is, gentlemen.
Gentlemen, to your horses.
- Who will be the first volunteer? - I am.
- Come on. Get up here. - Hop in there.
- A gentleman always remounts. Get up there. - That's it.
- Come on, then. - Pick up your things.
Yeah, that's it.
Stay on your horses, men.
And if you fall off, get on again.
It's an order in the Army, and a custom...
...that when you fall off your horses, you mount again like a gentleman.
Stay on that horse.
Get back up there.
Get back on that horse right now. Get back on that horse.
Hey. Hey, get off of him. Get him off.
Get back there on that horse.
Come on, get on that horse again, will you?
Get up there on that horse.
Hey, come back here.
Where do you think you're going? Come back here with that horse.
- What's the matter with you? - Come on, get on. Get up there.
Come on. Get up there.
Watch it down there, boys.
- Come on. Get into it. - There's a boy.
Hey, get back up on that horse. What's the matter?
Knees close together. Everybody just get right where they...
- Come on. - Get him up there. Come on.
Stay on that horse, will you?
Take the reins in both hands. Press on tight with your knees.
- One at a time on that horse. - Hold him.
- Watch out, everybody. - Now listen to me.
Get that horse.
Sir, I beg to report I lost my Yankee cap.
Thank you, sir. Thank you.
Isn't this wonderful?
What's that over there?
Blue Mesa.
Can't we go there?
Well, it's not as close as it appears, Miss Thursday.
Are you anxious to return to the fort, lieutenant?
Oh, no, Miss Thursday.
Don't you like the name of Phil, Michael?
Of course, I do, Phil.
And right over there, that's where the telegraph line is.
That's our main headache around here.
- It runs from here to Fort Grant. - You mean, where the smoke is.
Smoke?
Is it an Indian signal?
No, it's not an Indian signal.
The line went dead, sir. Right in the middle of the last word.
"Meacham reports Diablo's band decamped from reservation.
Last seen headed S-O-U-T..."
South, obviously. Or southeast or southwest.
Which means they may have crossed 10 miles from here or 200.
- We can't patrol all of it. - I'm fully aware of that, captain.
Think they're headed for the border to join Cochise?
That's my opinion, sir.
And these are the three main passes to Mexico?
Well, there are others, but those are the ones the Apache use most.
Two of them in our patrol area.
Captain York, you and Mr. O'Rourke take a troop and patrol the area.
- Mr. O'Rourke is not on the post, sir. - Why not?
- He's out riding, sir, with your daughter. - He what?
- How long ago? When did they go out? - Almost three hours past, sir.
- Three? - Are you sure it's that long?
- Positive, sir. - Blasted young fool.
O'Rourke, hasn't that idiot son of yours sense to know this country's not safe?
Taking my daughter riding.
Your daughter is as safe with my son as she would be with any man.
How safe is that with the Apaches on the warpath?
Get back.
Collingwood, take out a patrol at once.
York, pass the word to A and B.
Tell them to turn to full field equipment.
Rations for a week.
The wagon's burned. There's men dead.
Lieutenant Thursday.
Repair wagon, sir. Burned. Two troopers, Barry and Williams, dead.
Spread-eagle on the wheels, roasted.
- And my daughter saw all that? - Yes, sir.
- I'll take your report inside, mister. - Yes, sir.
Are you all right, Phil?
Yes, Dad. I'm all right.
Take her inside, will you?
They must have jumped them at sundown.
It was a pretty big party. Twenty-five or 30, anyway.
Mescalero Apaches.
I found this.
- Blood. - Apaches carry off their dead.
It's Mescaleros, all right. Diablo's band.
You say their trail led off to the south?
It headed that way, sir, but...
You didn't follow it long enough to find out?
No, sir. I couldn't take that risk with Miss Thursday, sir.
Your caution, Mr. O'Rourke, is commendable...
...but somewhat belated.
My compliments on the completeness of this report.
It speaks a knowledge of the savage Indian...
...which I am sure you did not acquire at the military academy.
I call it to your attention...
...that in taking my daughter riding without bespeaking my permission...
...you have been guilty of behavior...
...more consistent with that of an uncivilized Indian...
...than an officer and a gentlemen.
If I have not made myself sufficiently clear, mister...
...I will add this:
You will not again ride with my daughter.
And for reasons which I feel it unnecessary to go into...
...you will avoid her company in the future.
But, colonel...
I speak to you not only as your commanding officer...
...but as Philadelphia's father.
I think I am within a father's rights, Captain York.
My daughter's life and safety are precious to me.
And to me, sir, I assure you.
Then you will all the more readily bow to my wishes.
Yes, sir.
Now, mister...
...you say the break was here?
- Yes, sir. - Excellent.
Captain, send a wagon and detail to repair wires and bring back the bodies.
Yes, sir. Sergeant major, assemble a platoon from A troop.
A platoon? I said a detail, captain. An officer and four men.
But the Apaches may still be around.
I'm running a command, not a debating society, York.
- Four men, I'll be in command... - Mr. O'Rourke will be in command.
Mr. O'Rourke in command. Have them take 60 rounds of carbine ammunition per man.
That's a lot for men who've been trained to shoot. Thirty will be ample.
Thirty will be ample.
And 18 per revolving pistol.
You'll call for volunteers.
- With the colonel's permission, I volunteer. - Permission refused.
Carry out your orders, sergeant major.
You'll leave within the quarter-hour, Mr. O'Rourke. Questions?
Michael.
You know what's expected of you now?
Sure, Dad, I know.
Derice, go get Quincannon out of the guardhouse. Wait.
O'Feeney, go to the stables and find Mulcahy, Shattuck and Johnny Reb.
Tell them they're volunteering for a hazardous mission.
Beyond the call of duty.
Tell them their regiment is proud of them. Now, get going.
Come on, come on.
You spoke before of a platoon from A Troop, Captain York.
I suggest you assemble it.
Light marching equipment, but full bandoleers.
We leave in 30 minutes. I'll command, you'll accompany.
- You mean, we're gonna trail the wagon? - At a striking distance.
Collingwood.
You remember the paper that Captain Robert E. Lee wrote...
...when he was at the Point?
The one on the trap as a military weapon?
I do not share the popular view of Captain Lee's ability as tactician...
...but that paper impressed me.
Particularly the maneuver that Genghis Khan employed in the battle of Kinsha in 1221.
You recall...?
- Hadn't you better be moving, captain? - Yes, sir.
What, no debate this time, captain?
No debate, sir. No questions.
Troop is ready, sir.
You're not properly uniformed, captain. Nor are your men.
They look like scratch farmers on market day.
Their hats should be creased fore and aft like a fedora.
And I don't like exposed galluses.
Yes, sir.
Move out in a column of twos, captain.
By twos! By the right flank!
Come on. Follow!
Woman, go on about your business.
Get busy with the wire, sergeant.
All right, you men. Get out those blankets.
- And work fast. - Barry and Williams.
Many a pint I had with both of them.
- Why you... - Sergeant.
Johnny Reb, drop it. Men, let's get out of here. Fast.
- Bugler, raise those colors to full staff. - Yes, sir.