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00:00 ♪ [music] ♪
00:08 From the archives of the United States Cavalry, the true stories of Colonel
00:12 Randall McKenzie and the cavalrymen he led, McKenzie's Raiders.
00:17 His secret orders from the President of the United States, "Clean up the Southwest.
00:22 Make it a fit place for Americans to live.
00:24 Wipe out the renegades, outlaws, and murderers.
00:27 If necessary, cross the Rio Grande.
00:30 Knowing capture means hanging by the enemy.
00:32 Discovery, court-martial by the United States Army."
00:36 ♪ [music] ♪
00:51 West Texas, summer 1874, the southern extreme of the Yamparica Comanche country.
00:58 Now, through the efforts of Colonel Randall McKenzie, peace was gradually
01:02 coming to this land.
01:04 However, one man, Quanah Parker, locked behind the vastness of his hills,
01:09 held the key to the problem.
01:11 Only at his command would the Quadi Nation rise and plunge the territory
01:15 into bloody warfare.
01:17 And only at his command could there be peace.
01:20 At that moment, several miles away, an event was about to take place that would
01:26 have far-reaching effect on this new peace.
01:29 [siren]
01:51 [gunshot]
01:52 [siren]
02:09 Blue Raven, the son of Chief Running Bear, was dead.
02:13 [footsteps]
02:22 - He's out there someplace.
02:25 If I could just get him to come in for a talk.
02:27 - Do no good, sir.
02:28 Quanah Parker's talked peace before.
02:31 - Not to me, he hasn't.
02:33 By the way, Jim, I've been meaning to tell you, I'm real pleased to have you in my
02:38 command here at Fort Clark.
02:39 I wrote your dad and told him so.
02:40 - Thank you, sir.
02:41 - You know, there's some things, though, about southwest Texas that you don't
02:45 know all about yet.
02:46 One of those things is Quanah Parker.
02:48 - Colonel, begging your pardon, sir, but he isn't like old Running Bear.
02:52 - Oh?
02:53 Well, how do you think I made peace with Running Bear?
02:55 - You whipped him.
02:57 - You may be new at Fort Clark, but you know our strength here.
02:59 If I'd used every available trooper, I couldn't have whipped him.
03:02 - You mean he made peace just by talks?
03:05 - By talks, by concessions, concessions on both sides.
03:10 - You mean he made demands and you gave in to him?
03:14 - I made other demands and he gave in to me.
03:17 - Quanah Parker's different.
03:18 He won't give in.
03:21 - You familiar with our campaigns against him in the north?
03:24 - Yes, sir.
03:25 - Well, you know, then, that our last five skirmishes against Quanah Parker have
03:28 been virtual standoffs.
03:30 All we're succeeding in doing is slowly wiping each other out.
03:33 - We can always send east for replacements.
03:35 - Yes, but with just one word, Quanah Parker could surround himself with
03:39 Arapahos, Cheyennes, Kiowas, and maybe even Running Bear's tribe.
03:43 - You think he'd break the treaty?
03:46 - They're both Comanches.
03:49 So you see how important, Jim, it is that we at least keep trying to talk to
03:53 Quanah Parker.
03:54 - Yes, sir, but how do you go about it?
03:59 - Is Leif Bender at the fort?
04:01 - No, he's out on patrol with Major Fulchner.
04:03 He'll be back in the morning.
04:05 - First thing you see him, ask him to drop around to my office, will you?
04:07 I want to talk to him.
04:08 - Yes, sir.
04:14 - Yeah, I reckon I could find him.
04:18 This time of year, he should be somewhere around Pope's Wells, near the Pecos.
04:23 - Yeah.
04:24 You knew him when you served with General Miles, huh?
04:26 - Uh-huh.
04:27 - Think you could get him to come in for a talk?
04:28 - Well, no offense, Colonel, but Quanah Parker's heard soldier talk before.
04:33 - What if you told him that Running Bear would be here, too?
04:36 - Well, they're pretty close.
04:37 It'd go a long ways towards helping him make up his mind.
04:40 - All right, you tell him just that.
04:42 - Uh, supposing Running Bear won't come?
04:44 - You let me worry about that.
04:46 He'll be here, all right.
04:48 - Now, hold on, Colonel.
04:49 You ain't never met this here Quanah Parker.
04:52 - That's right.
04:53 - Now, you say Running Bear's going to be here.
04:55 Supposing you're wrong, it could be my scalp.
04:58 Quanah don't hold with nobody talking with a forked tongue.
05:02 - Leif, if I'm wrong, if Running Bear doesn't come,
05:05 if he won't help me make peace with Quanah Parker and his quaddies,
05:08 then this whole territory will be fighting to hang on to its scalp.
05:12 - Colonel, I appreciate how important these peace talks are.
05:16 Just so as you know, we've got to talk straight with this engine.
05:19 - Running Bear will be here.
05:21 - Fine.
05:22 As soon as I can saddle up a fresh horse, I'll start off for the state plains.
05:26 - All right.
05:28 I'll ride with you as far as the Yampirika country.
05:33 The land of the Yampirika was harsh, unrelenting, and so was their justice.
05:38 For five long days, Spotted Elk was to suffer alone
05:42 while Running Bear decided his punishment.
05:44 A life had been lost, a young life.
05:47 The one responsible must pay.
05:50 No one spoke in defense of the guilty man.
05:53 There was no defense.
05:55 There was no pity in the eyes of the Comanche.
05:59 [thunder rumbling]
06:02 The heart of Running Bear is like the night.
06:08 The brightness of my remaining years has been taken from me.
06:13 Blue Raven is dead.
06:16 My son is dead.
06:19 Five days have I thought on this.
06:23 Five days have I decided on your punishment.
06:27 Your name, the name of Spotted Elk,
06:31 will never again be spoken in our village.
06:35 You will be taken to the desert and left to die.
06:52 I, too, wear the marks of mourning for Blue Raven.
06:57 Your punishment will be the end to my grief.
07:01 Naida.
07:04 [footsteps]
07:07 [thunder rumbling]
07:16 I'll leave you here, Leif.
07:26 Pope's Wells is a long haul.
07:28 Yeah.
07:29 You bring in Quanta Park or you can name your own price.
07:32 I'll settle for my back pay.
07:34 You can have mine, too, when it comes.
07:36 If it comes.
07:38 I'll see you in a couple of days.
07:40 [panting]
07:57 [footsteps]
08:01 [footsteps]
08:05 [footsteps]
08:08 [footsteps]
08:19 [footsteps]
08:32 [footsteps]
08:35 [splash]
08:47 [splash]
08:58 My son is dead, Mackenzie Colonel.
09:01 We made a peace so that such as he might live.
09:05 Now he is dead.
09:07 I'm sorry, Chief Running Bear.
09:09 Why? The soldiers killed many of my people.
09:12 Forgive me.
09:16 Five days have I grieved.
09:19 My mind is sick with sadness.
09:22 [footsteps]
09:28 For what reason does the Chief of Fort Clark come here now?
09:32 I was on my way to your village.
09:35 You come without your soldiers?
09:39 Mackenzie has no need of soldiers.
09:42 We're friends.
09:44 I come to talk.
09:46 Now is not the time to talk.
09:51 Chief Running Bear, the talk would be of Quanta Parker.
09:55 Of his coaties.
09:57 Of peace.
09:59 We talk.
10:06 And you will treat with the coaties as you have the Yamparica?
10:16 If they are honorable people, as your people have been?
10:20 Quanta Parker is a great chief.
10:23 They will obey his word.
10:25 And he will respect your words, Running Bear.
10:28 That is why I want you to come to Fort Clark with me.
10:31 To add your words to mine.
10:33 To help make the peace.
10:35 How do you know of our friendship?
10:37 I know it was you who saved the life of the white girl
10:40 who later became the mother of Quanta Parker.
10:43 That was many snows past.
10:46 And now Quanta Parker makes war on his own people.
10:50 The Comanches are his people.
10:53 Perhaps.
10:55 Nonetheless, there is war.
10:57 You can help to make the peace.
10:59 If he comes, I will speak with him.
11:04 I will not ask him to make peace.
11:06 That is his decision.
11:08 I will tell him of the honor of your words.
11:11 That he can trust in what you say.
11:14 This I will do.
11:16 That is all I ask.
11:20 Thank you, Chief Running Bear.
11:22 [footsteps]
11:50 [breathing heavily]
12:19 [music]
12:22 [footsteps]
12:24 [gun cocks]
12:48 [music]
12:51 [footsteps]
13:19 [music]
13:21 [music]
13:45 Colonel McKenzie's act of humanity
13:47 had been an irrevocable affront to Comanche justice.
13:51 He had unknowingly interfered with the tribal death sentence,
13:54 despite having sworn in a treaty to respect the Indians' law.
13:59 Now he would face the wrath of those whose lasting friendship
14:02 meant so much to the peace of the Southwest.
14:05 You refuse?
14:07 Of course I don't refuse, Chief,
14:09 but he can't travel now. He's unconscious.
14:11 It is my wish to leave, now with the brave.
14:14 But he couldn't stand the trip.
14:16 The doctor explained that to you. He'd die.
14:18 I do not wish that he lives.
14:21 It was he that caused the death of my son.
14:24 Coming from the burial hill, you explained to me what happened.
14:27 Surely you can't blame him.
14:29 I do not wish to speak more on it.
14:32 I'm sorry, Chief, but my word stands.
14:35 I can't let him go.
14:37 You refuse to honor our treaty?
14:39 The treaty has nothing to do with it.
14:41 He's a human being. It's a question of justice.
14:43 The treaty has much to do with it.
14:45 It promises the soldiers will not interfere with the laws of our tribe
14:49 when those laws do not affect your people.
14:52 Yes, I know. That may be...
14:54 It is the law that spotted elk must pay for his crime.
14:57 What crime?
14:59 You said yourself it was an accident, Chief.
15:02 No, I'm sorry. He stays here until he's well.
15:05 Can I now tell Quanah Parker you are honorable to your words?
15:11 Don't threaten me, Chief Running Bear.
15:13 I do not threaten.
15:15 In two days, decide what you value most.
15:19 The life of one man or the lives of many.
15:22 If you insist the treaty be broken,
15:25 I shall cast my lance at your feet.
15:28 Morning of the second day.
15:35 By now, everyone knew of the situation at Fort Clark.
15:39 Everyone knew Sundown held the portent of war
15:42 unless Colonel McKenzie surrendered to the Indian chief's demand.
15:46 The weight of command is often oppressing, always solitary.
15:52 When decisions are made, logic is sometimes mixed with personal feelings.
15:56 A dangerous thing. A human thing.
16:00 Come in.
16:03 Sorry to disturb you, Colonel.
16:07 Sergeant, what's on your mind?
16:09 Reporting all companies standing by as ordered, sir.
16:12 Fine.
16:14 - All passes cancelled? - Yes, sir.
16:17 - The patrol? - It left a few minutes ago, sir.
16:20 - Good, good. - Is that all, sir?
16:22 That's all, Sergeant.
16:24 No, no, it isn't.
16:28 Sergeant.
16:31 Sergeant, sit down. Sit down.
16:35 What else have you got to report?
16:37 Nothing, sir.
16:39 - Wells. - Yes, sir.
16:42 - How long have we been together? - Seven years, eight months, sir.
16:46 And in seven years, eight months, don't you think I've gotten to know you pretty well?
16:50 Sir?
16:52 I can tell when there's something on your mind, Sergeant.
16:55 - You don't think I'm doing right, do you? - I never said that, sir.
16:59 No. No, you never said it, but nevertheless, you don't think I'm doing right.
17:03 Colonel, sir, you're wrong.
17:05 I mean, about me, about what I'm thinking.
17:08 Frankly, sir, I'm thinking that you're the best man that I ever served under.
17:13 And there have been plenty.
17:16 You have a reason for what you're doing.
17:19 We don't know what it is, but whatever, it's good enough for us.
17:23 Sergeant, the only reason...
17:27 - The only reason is that... - Sir, you don't owe nobody an explanation.
17:31 Will you listen to me?
17:33 The only reason is that that Indian is a helpless human being
17:37 and he deserves the protection of this fort. It's as simple as that.
17:40 Fine. That's fine, sir.
17:43 Every trooper in this fort will fight for that reason.
17:46 Thank you, Sergeant Wilson.
17:50 That's all.
17:58 - May I have a word with you, sir? - Yes, of course, Captain. Come in.
18:01 - It's about that Indian. - Yes?
18:05 Well, are you really going to keep him here?
18:08 - Certainly, until he's able to travel. - Then what?
18:12 And what about running bare his ultimatum?
18:14 After you've been here for a time, Jim,
18:17 you'll find that ultimatums don't work too well with me.
18:20 As far as Spotted Elk is concerned, he's free to leave as soon as he's able.
18:23 Some of the men say it's a question of honor.
18:25 They say he'll go back to his village.
18:27 That may be.
18:29 They'll either surrender him or he goes back.
18:32 Either way, he dies. So what's the difference?
18:35 The difference, Captain, is that it'll be his choice.
18:38 Come in.
18:45 - Colonel, I have to talk to you, sir. - Yes, Sergeant?
18:47 - It's that Indian. - That's enough, Sergeant.
18:49 - I've heard quite enough about that Indian. - But he's awake, sir.
18:52 Colonel, the doctor took this from him.
18:55 - His medicine bag. - Open it, sir.
18:58 Probably took it off some settler that he murdered.
19:06 Sir, we're overlooking something.
19:08 That Indian is a savage. They're all savages.
19:11 Pretty little thing like her.
19:15 - That's all for now, Sergeant. - Thank you.
19:20 That's all for now, Sergeant.
19:22 No man wishes to die.
19:30 Then you wish to stay here?
19:33 I did not say I was afraid of death.
19:37 Anyone who asks for the protection of this fort gets it.
19:40 What faces you if I stay?
19:45 No one has ever been refused.
19:49 You endanger many for the sake of one?
19:52 Your people are weak.
19:55 Your customs are foolish.
19:57 Your heart is like a woman.
20:00 No, it is not true.
20:08 I have seen your courage.
20:11 But I do not understand your people.
20:17 No more do I understand running bare punishing you.
20:20 - It is the custom. - It is the custom.
20:24 You have been faithful to what you believe.
20:30 Now I must do the same.
20:33 That is why I shall return to my village.
20:37 To die, to be killed.
20:44 The doctor took it while I slept.
20:47 I would like to have it with me when I return to my village.
20:54 Another custom?
20:57 It was worn by the woman who was my mother.
21:00 The woman who was your...
21:05 Your mother was a captive.
21:09 A captive of the Indians.
21:12 Yes.
21:14 He is coming, Colonel. Quanta Parker is on his way in.
21:24 - Captain, Captain Arinch for Guard of Honor. - I thought you wanted to impress him.
21:28 Sergeant, see that every available trooper stands by for a review inspection.
21:31 - Colonel, what about the rest of the men? - Come with me.
21:33 - Where are we going, Colonel? - I will tell you on the way.
21:36 Jim, I would remind you that Quanta Parker is the last commanding officer
21:41 of the Comanche. He is an important man.
21:43 Treat him properly. We will be back.
21:45 One last chance.
21:48 One last hope to avert bloodshed was all that remained to Colonel Randall McKenzie.
21:53 Would Running Bear yield or hurl the lance of war at McKenzie's feet?
21:58 Wait here for me, Lee.
22:07 Wait here for me, Lee.
22:35 McKenzie, Colonel.
22:37 You have come so that the peace may not be broken?
22:50 - That depends on you, Chief. - You are wrong.
22:53 It is you who have broken our treaty.
22:55 Will you hear what I have to say?
22:57 I chose this place so that the spirit of Blue Raven can hear our words.
23:01 No need for words.
23:04 I can't expect you to understand why I did what I felt I must.
23:07 If Spotted Elk is not returned before the time the sun rests,
23:12 the Yampirika will make war.
23:14 Are you sure you want war?
23:16 After having seen what peace has meant to your people?
23:19 And I have seen what your people's broken word has meant.
23:23 Very well, Chief. I'll not break our treaty, knowing that you wouldn't.
23:29 But I must explain one thing.
23:33 This is the medicine bag of Spotted Elk.
23:36 It contains the picture of a woman who is not an Indian.
23:40 A picture of his mother.
23:42 Just as Quanah Parker's mother was not an Indian.
23:44 Was a prisoner of the Comanches.
23:46 That is so.
23:48 All right, I'll turn him over to you. Punish him any way you will.
23:53 But remember this, Chief.
23:55 You may punish only that part of him which is Comanche.
23:59 By the terms of our treaty, you must not harm that part of him which is white man.
24:03 (KNOCKING)
24:12 Come in.
24:13 Yes, Sergeant?
24:15 I beg your pardon, sir.
24:16 I thought the Captain would like to know that Colonel McKenzie is approaching the fort.
24:19 He has Chief Running Bear with him.
24:22 Thank you, Sergeant. You may go.
24:25 Thank you, Sergeant. You may go.
24:27 They returned to the fort as friends.
24:32 Not really understanding each other.
24:34 But they had one thing in common.
24:37 A desire for peace.
24:39 A peace they hoped would spread to all the lands of the Comanche.
24:42 And one day beyond.
24:45 To all the wild, desolate country of the West.
24:49 (DRAMATIC MUSIC)
24:54 (DRAMATIC MUSIC)
25:00 McKenzie's Raiders rode again and again.
25:03 Carrying out the secret orders of the President of the United States.
25:07 Do whatever necessary to clean up the Southwest.
25:10 Make it a decent place for people to live.
25:13 Ride with McKenzie's Raiders as they relive the blazing pages of history in the making.
25:18 (DRAMATIC MUSIC)
25:25 (DRAMATIC MUSIC)
25:30 (DRAMATIC MUSIC)
25:35 (DRAMATIC MUSIC)
25:41 (DRAMATIC MUSIC)
25:47 (DRAMATIC MUSIC)
25:53 (DRAMATIC MUSIC)
25:59 (DRAMATIC MUSIC)
26:04 (DRAMATIC MUSIC)
26:08 (cymbal crash)