01x07 - Riff-Raff

[bunniefuu]

Hello, boss.

Eddie.

Where's Trampas?

Trampas?

He was supposed to be
mending that fence
down by the creek.

Why, no...

Well, he...
Let's have the truth, Eddie.

Well, he said he had
some important business
to take care of.

In town?

That's the way he was headed.

You don't mind doing
the work of two men?

He helped me out before.

Yeah.

Getting it done, Billy?

Maybe we'll get 'em
all done by tonight, boss.

Why "maybe"?

Matter of fact,
we will get 'em done.

You're a little
shorthanded, aren't you?

I hadn't noticed.

Where's Steve?

Steve?
Steve.
Steve.

He said
he had an appointment.

Where?

Didn't come right out
and say where.

He just allowed
that it was very important.

Get the stamp on 'em,
Billy.

You gotta finish tonight
whether you're shorthanded
or not.

Hello there, Molly.

Hello, Trampas.

What are you doing here?

Came to meet you.

Oh, that's sweet of you.
I'm flattered.

Shouldn't you be at work?

I'm way ahead in my work.
How was your trip?

Oh, exciting.
Terribly exciting.

We must never let ourselves
just get buried out here.

'Course not.
We have to keep in touch.

We sure do.
I mean with the outside world.

Oh, we sure do.

There's so much going on
out there. It's so stimulating.

We're living in
tremendously exciting times.

We sure are.

I've got so much
to write about.

Especially the w*r.
Especially.

What w*r?

You-- you must be joking.
No.

Well... remember the Maine?

No.

Don't tell me you don't
know what the Maine stands for.

Well, the Maine's a state.

And don't you look down
at me either, Molly.

Well, I'm not looking
down on you, Trampas,

but I must say you're not
very well informed.

Well, the Maine
was a battleship.
It was blown up.

Oh?
By Spain. The Spaniards.

Oh.
In Cuba.

Oh.
Now we're engaged in a w*r.

Hey.

You know, that's
a mighty pretty hat, Molly.

The last w*r I
heard, it was one with
Stonewall Jackson in it.

We're not starting up
with that one again, are we?

No, we're not.

Well, I suppose it is
good to be back.

It's sure good
to have you back, Molly.
Thank you.

I've got so much to do.

I've got to write
a recruiting story.

Teddy Roosevelt's formed
a group called the Rough Riders.

What for?

The w*r.

Oh! That again.

That again. It's about
time you understood.

Would you tack this up
for me over there?

Sure.

Molly!

Steve.

Sorry I missed your train.

Thank you.
They're beautiful.

You didn't have to
pick me up at the station.
It was sweet, though.

Trampas was there.

You get those calves
branded, cowboy?

You get that fence
put up, groundhog?

Um...

you better get back
to work, cowboy.

Molly and I got
a lot to do here.

We're writing pieces
about the w*r.

You've heard about
the w*r, haven't you?

I heard tell of it, yes.

See there, Miss Molly?

Here's a man walking around
not knowing anything

about what's going on
out there.

Steve, you're, uh--
you're uninformed.

I always knew
you were stupid.

What's the matter?

I was just wondering
if it would improve
either of you.

If what would improve us?

The uniform.

Well,
the only way we could get

a uniform like that,
Molly, would be to--

A woman likes to see
a man in a uniform,
doesn't she?

Well, sometimes it does
something for him.

Makes him romantic
and stalwart.

No, I guess not.

I guess you're both
perfectly beautiful as you are--

dusty and patchy and...

totally unaware of what's
going on out there.

No, I wouldn't have you
change

for all the uniforms
in all the wars
in all the world.

Still and all,
a fighting man

shouldn't sit around
while there's a fighting w*r.

I mean, this is
getting kind of--

Hello, Molly.

Hello.

Well?

Boss man.

We just... came down
to meet Molly at the train.

It seemed the friendly
thing to do.

We're going right back,
though.

We just got talking
about the w*r and all.

And how a uniform would
look on a man if...

You thinking of joining up?

No, no. We were
just talking about it.

What if we were...?

Fancy uniform.
That's right.

And all the free drinks
they pass out.

They do?
Yeah.

Women falling
down in the street
when you walk by.

Yeah?
Yeah?
Yeah!

I heard all about it.

A stampede of hands
rushing down there
to get in on it.

Now, you listen to me, you two.
We're working men,

and our job's every bit
as important as joining
up with this army.

No matter what's going on
down there at San Antone,

those so-called soldier boys
have got to be fed.

That's our job.

It was the judge's
orders this morning

to turn out the beef
for the government,

and keep on turning it out.

Well, what about it?

Well, excuse me,
Miss Molly,

I got to get to work.

All them steers
have got to be
stamped, Molly.

We know what our
duty is--

keep them
fighting men fed.

It's our job.

Get outta here!
'Bye, boys.

Now, Molly,
don't try with me.

But you'd look
awful handsome
in uniform.

I'll bet.

And don't put any more
wild ideas in their heads.

Is it such a wild idea?

It is. In those heads,
any idea at all is
a complete disaster.

By the way,
welcome home.

Ohh...

He what?

He did what?

He just... took off.

Where to?

All I know is, he's gone.

He took his pack
and he's gone.

Where to?

He told Eddie
he'd send you his address.

When?

All Eddie said was--

Forget Eddie.
What did he tell you?

I didn't even see him.

I got in very late
last night.

There was an awful lot
of calves to be branded.

Go on.

Anyway, when I got back,

Eddie was here
in the bunkhouse,

and he said Trampas
came in, took his back,

said goodbye to everybody,

and just pointed
his horse south.

South?

San Antone.

I don't know whatever
made you say that.

He wants to be a hero
in a uniform,

so he had to go join up.

He's a fool. He's about
as much cut out to be
a soldier as--

If you want to be a soldier,
you gotta learn to take orders.

Can you imagine Trampas
taking orders from anybody?

Go after him, Steve.
Maybe you can catch up
before he gets there.

Be glad to.
Steve...

...you come back with him,
will you?

Now, what'd you think
I was gonna do?

San Antone?

Yes, sir.

"Jining" up?

You could say that.

If you was "jining" up,
we could be friends.

We 'un is mighty
friendly folks,

except to those we ain't
friendly with at all.

Well, you can certainly
count on me as a friend...

friend.

Where you heading?

San Antone!

Come on!

Well, let's get at it!

You see that rise
out there yonder, boy?

It's a good-looking rise.

You know what's
on the far side?

Another rise?
San Antone!

You don't say!

That's where we "jine" up.

I guess that's exactly
what my friend did.

You got a friend
in the army, boy?

'Fraid so.

Then he be a friend
of our'n too, 'cause
we're gonna stick together.

Let's get at it, soldiers!

Yah-hey!

There she be!

Harry.
Boy?

I never did like
standing in line much.

Oh, now, boy,
ain't much of a line,

and you can be first.

That's downright
friendly of you, Harry.

Aim to. I like you, boy.

I'm gonna look out
for you.

That's mighty nice
of you, Harry,

but I was thinking,
maybe first I ought to
find my other friend,

make sure he "jined" up--
er, joined up.

That is, if you'll
hold my place in line for me.

I'll hold it, boy,

'cause you and me, we're
gonna "jine" up together.

Absolutely.

You.

Who, me?
Army?

No, sir, positively not.

Right there.

I'm just looking for
a buddy of mine--
Move!

Gentlemen,
Colonel Roosevelt.

Gentlemen, at ease!

I've ridden
with you on my ranch,
the Little Missouri.

I've hunted with you.

I've driven trail herds
with you.

I haven't met you all
personally,

but I know the likes of you,

all of you.

I see men who,
under other circumstances,

might be at
one another's throats.

But now,

I see you've gathered
in a single cause.

Gentlemen...

I see before me...

Americans!

Myself, gentlemen,

I've become a dude.

I've brought some of
my Eastern friends
with me.

The first United States
volunteer Calvary regiment,

now unofficially known
as the Rough Riders,

will draw the majority
of its men from your territory.

But there will be among you
a unit of men

from the Eastern states,

men of the National Guard.

They are your officers.

They will try
to make you soldiers.

This regiment,
in its final form,

will number 1,000 men.

That means that only
a fraction of the volunteers

will be selected to remain
with the Rough Riders.

The others will be transferred
to other units,

or, if they're found
totally unsuitable,

they will be discharged.

The question is,

how many of you
are soldiers?

Gentlemen,

I urge you right now,

look to your right.

Now, look to your left.

Within the next two weeks,

we will choose
our Rough Riders.

Good luck to you,
gentlemen!

All right,
you men, move it out!

Let's go! On the double!
Fall in!

Hey, Trampas!

Hey, Steve!

Face forward! Hard!

In line, soldier!

I said about face!

About face!

Well, I know
what you said, mister,
but what's that mean?

It means turn around.

It means just what I meant
when I told you this morning.

It means turn around!

Then why don't you say
"turn around"?

You're in the army, sonny!

That you don't have
to tell me.

Quiet! Fall out!

You know where to go!

Same place I was this morning.

That's right, and pick up
where you left off.

On the double!

Quick step!
Hup-to! Hup-to! Hup-to!

Sorry.

"About face."

"Turn around"
would make more sense.

They'd give me a horse...

Hi, Steve boy.

Don't say anything smart,
or I'll shove this thing
right down your gullet.

What are you doing here,
anyway?

Oh, the Virginian
sent me down.

Wanted me to ask
how it felt to be
a fighting man.

Let me tell you something--

if this is the way
they're gonna fight a w*r,
we gotta lose!

Do you know what they did
when I first got here...

...the very first thing
they did?
What?

They ordered me
to give up my g*n.

Well, what did you
do that for?
I don't know.

I wouldn't have
done that.
No?

No, I'd stand
right up to 'em.

Soldier!

Sir! Capt--
er, Lieutenant, sir.

At ease, at ease.

I don't believe it.

Look what
they did to you.

I take it, sir,
that you are not a recruit.

You take it mighty
absolutely right, mister.

Get him out of here.
He's a friend of mine.
He just came to visit.

That's an order, soldier.

What kind of
a fool order is that?

A friend of mine
comes to visit me, and you
order me to kick him out?

Are you going to obey
the order or not?

Obey it? Ha! He don't
even accept it as an order!

That's right. Nobody's
gonna tell me what to do
about a friend of mine.

I'll tell you what.
You want me out of here,

you put me out.

Sergeant!

What's, he going for help?

They always do.
They've got to have help.

Sergeant, get this
civilian out of here.

Now, you hold on there.

Insubordination,
Sergeant.

I gave him an order,
and he's disobeyed it.

And I don't have to
accept any such order.

There is no order that says
he's got to kick his friend
out of here!

Get this civilian
out of here, Sergeant.

If he resists,
put him in the guardhouse
and send for the sheriff.

With pleasure, sir.

You, out.

Hey, now.

Out of my way, soldier.

Atten-hut!

Soldier,

nowhere in this army
is there a place for a man

who cannot obey orders!

You're absolutely
mighty right, General.

There's no place--
no place in the army
for this man.

How you comin'?

Pretty soon.

Pipsqueak lieutenant.

He couldn't order me
around man to man.

He couldn't do that,
could he?

What does he mean,
"disobeying orders"?

Any order I approved of,
I never disobeyed in my life.

That's a fact.

Might as well face it,
Trampas,

the army is no place
of a man like you,

just like
the Virginian said.

One incident,
and the man's only been
in the service two days.

If I sign this,
we lose what might
be a good soldier.

A soldier?!

We'd lose an animal,
and not a very bright
animal at that.

Don't underestimate
these Westerners.

If we're going to have
any success with them,

we'll have to learn
to understand them.

Either they learn to conform,
or they suffer the consequences.

We don't have time
to accommodate them.

The time, or the patience?

We've got a matter of days
to pick a top group

out of a bunch
of wild savages!

Overnight, we're supposed
to produce wonder soldiers!

What are we?

Six weeks ago, you and I
were sitting in classrooms

listening to lectures
on anthropology and philology.

Why, I never aimed
a loaded g*n at a man
in my life.

I never fought a man with
anything but boxing gloves.

You take these Westerners.

They've lived with firearms
and violence and the science
of survival all their lives.

They just might turn out
to be excellent soldiers--
if we can handle 'em.

Larry, you don't seem
to see this thing

as far ahead as I can,

as far down
as to the end of the w*r.

This may be
our main chance.

What chance?

Well, back at home,
we were the National Guard.

"Social soldiers."
Personal uniforms
and all that.

It was kind of a game,
wasn't it?

Some of it.
But this is real.

The w*r is real.
The opportunities
here are real.

There's no end to where
a man can go

who really works
this w*r right.

Read the history books,
Larry. Every w*r this
country's ever had

has given this country
its top men.

Start with the Southern
farmer, George Washington.

Go right down the line--
Jackson, Taylor, Grant.

No one can say
you're not setting
your sights high enough.

Why not? Get the medals,
get the field promotions.

You'll see there's no end
to where a man can go!

Larry, sign the paper.

Get rid of this Western
nonconformist.

Kick out any of them
who won't get into line.

This may be our big chance.

Somebody's going to make it
big out of this w*r, very big!

At ease, gentlemen.

Lieutenant, you have a rather
loud and carrying voice.

Yes, sir.

In future, when exchanging
confidences, I suggest
you lower it.

Yes, sir.

Er, thank you, sir.

Who is this nonconformist
Westerner

who seems the cause
of so much concern?

Is that the report?

Yes, sir.

May I read it?

Lieutenant, may I remind you

that I promised your parents
you would write home
once a week.

I hope you'll not forget.

Yes, sir.

'Morning.

Uh, you can go, sir.

What about my buddy here?
Doesn't he have some papers
to sign or something?

There are no papers.

Well, he ought to have
something to show that
he didn't run away.

Soldier, I've been
instructed to say that...

that, uh...

well, your officers here
realize that the army

is a new experience
for men such as yourself,

and we also realize
that it will take you
time to... to adjust.

Therefore it is our policy
to overlook your first mistakes,

provided
they're not repeated.

Sir, how many mistakes do
we have to... overlook, sir?

I wish I knew, Sergeant.

Well, now, that's
downright decent.

I thought you two fellows
would hold a grudge,

but I can see you're
good fellows!

Sir!
Sir. Lieutenant, sir.

Oh, take over, Sergeant!
Yes, sir.

Well, now, if that
don't beat all.

You can
drop the hand now.

Yes, sir.

Boy, have they
got you hooked.

You'd better see
your friend here
gets off the post, soldier.

Yes, sir.

Wait a minute.

Now, you ain't gonna
work it that way.

Don't argue with
a gentleman, Steve.

Gentleman?!

You're the bad influence
around here.

That boy would probably make
a fine all-around soldier

if it weren't for
no-accounts like you
hanging around.

I don't mean to sound uppity,
but I think I know what
the gentleman means.

It takes a certain
something to be a soldier,

and you...
Yeah. It takes an idiot.

I wouldn't join your army
if you made me a general.

You couldn't join it.

You couldn't be a private,
let alone a general.

What do you mean,
I couldn't join?

He means some got it
and some ain't.

You're a troublemaker, boy.

The army doesn't want you.

Well, who do you think
you are

You know, this is still
a free country.

If I had a mind to,
I could join today.

Then don't get a mind to,
'cause we don't want you.

You don't?

We don't. In this army,
we don't want any...

any riffraff!

You hear what the gentleman
called you, Steve?

Riffraff.

Riffraff!

He did what?

Well, it says,
"Found Trampas.

"Almost got him
out of army. Stop.

Except they got me in.
Steve."

They got him in?

Well, that's what it says.

In the army?

That would seem to be
the sense of it, yes.

He didn't have
to join up, you know!

No, he didn't, but he did.

I told Steve
when he left here!

I told him, we had a job
that was just as important--!

I'll give 'em uniforms
if that's what they want!

Oh, now, come on.
Be honest.

I know Steve and Trampas
are your friends,

but there are other hands.

Well, that's not the point!

Well, what is?

I'm not gonna have those--!

Look, I told the Judge,
I promised him

I'd handle the drive
with Steve and Trampas
right beside me,

and that's exactly
what I mean to do.

Oh.

- Hi.
- Hi.

Well, are we ready?

Uh, did I break
into an argument?

Oh, no, no.
We were just discussing

the case of
the indispensable man...
or men.

The who?

It's just a question
of getting Steve and Trampas
back on the job, honey.

It's nothing serious.

Oh, in your mind,
the fact they happen
to be in the army

presents
no serious problem?

None that I can think of.

Colonel Roosevelt
will know my problem.

He knows he needs us here.

Betsy, when your father
comes home Thursday,

tell him everything's
under control.

I'll bring the boys back,
and we'll handle the drive
just like we planned it.

Can he really tell
the army what to do?

Well, he can try.

All right, Sergeant,
let the men rest.

Company, halt!

Fall out!

Don't put that r*fle
in the dust, soldier!

Oh, pain.

Ohh, pain!

Come on, feet.
Everybody up. Come on.

What do they call
this outfit, boy?

Rough Riders.

Rough Walkers,
is more like it.

No one's seen a horse
since they've been
in this outfit.

What kind of cavalry
do you call that?

A walking cavalry?
Walk!

There's a purpose
to it, soldier.

As you were, gentlemen,
as you were.

We're trying to train you men
to walk a given distance

at a calculated speed
under a full pack
as part of a team.

We're training you
to use your legs.

That's what you figure on
you were doing, huh?

It's entirely possible
that in the jungle where
you'll be fighting,

there are place where
one cannot maneuver a horse.

Begging your pardon,
Lieutenant, sir,

but there's no place
on this earth

where I can't
maneuver a horse.

Now, you give me a horse,
and I'll really show you
an about-face.

I'll even have him
salute for you.

Looky there.

Gentlemen, there
are troubled areas
in this jungle where--

Not now, Lieutenant, sir.
Here comes real trouble.

Who be that, boy?

That's our boss man.

Hello, Lieutenant.

What may I do for you, sir?

I'm on my way to see
Colonel Roosevelt.

Well, you won't find him
out here.

It's about
these two men, sir.

These two men?

Yes. I want to get 'em
out of the service.

Did you say that you wanted
to get those two men
out of the service?

That's right.

Well, let me say, sir,
that my best wishes
go with you,

and if you can get those
two men out of the service,

you're a better man
than I am.

Sergeant, take over!
Yes, sir.

Let's go see the Captain.

The Colonel's not here
right now,

but perhaps the Captain
can help expedite matters....

He sure acts
like a boss man.

He gonna be running
the army now?

Personally, I'm afraid
it's not possible,
but if you want to,

you can put it
up to the Colonel
tomorrow yourself.

You can't ever tell
just exactly what he will do.

No, you certainly can't.

I'd like to ask you
something, if I may.

Sure.

Now, you're a foreman.
You-- you handle these men.

Well, I try.

How?

Well, just work with them.
Be their friend, that's all.

We don't do things
like that in the army.

No, I don't know
what it is,

but there is a block,

there's an enormous block
between us.

It's not just your two;

no, it's every Westerner
in the outfit.

They're pretty hard men
to herd, I'll admit.

First off, they--
they've got to know

you're just as handy
as they are.

Handy?

That you can
handle yourself,

be as good as they can be,

and they're pretty good.

At what?

Most anything.

Fighting, which I expect
is what you want.

Riding, sh**ting,
you name it.

And what would you
like us to do,

hold a demonstration of our
skills for these gentlemen?

Uh, more coffee?

No, thanks.

See, personally,
I don't think
they're so good.

I think they're more of
a brawling, contentious mob.

I wouldn't go so far
as to say that,

but they certainly do
lack discipline.

I don't know about
their sh**ting,

but as to their riding,
well, from what I've seen

every man west
of the Mississippi

sits a horse
like a sack of meal

and rides as if he'd
rather be home in bed.

Done much riding
yourself, Lieutenant?

Yes, I have.

You see,
he's a four-goal man,

if that means
anything to you.

What you're trying
to say, sir,

is that you can ride
better than we can.

Well, the kind of riding
that I'm talking about

requires discipline,
technique, and, uh...

...intelligence.

The Western style,
if you'll forgive me, sir,

seems to require very little
more than a hard rump.

I don't agree with that, sir.

I didn't expect that
you would, no.

Say, uh, Drex,
how would it be--

I mean, you and I
have been wanting
to get in a little practice--

how would it be
if we had a little contest?

Rates off, just man to man.

Be interesting.

Are you talking about
riding, sir?

Yes, polo.

That's horseback riding.

We generally do play
polo on a horse.

I, uh, I thought of it
just as a workout.

Way I was thinking
of it too.

Tomorrow morning?

Sunup?

Captain,

you got yourself a deal.

Good.

Skoal, sir.

I don't think you
do it that way, Harry.

I've never been so glad
to see anything in my life
than this little horse.

You say them dudes
think they can ride?

So they say.

I expect they can.

You understand the rules,
gentlemen?

Mostly.

To balance things up a little,

we'll forget the nicer
regulations of the game

and just stick to
the fundamental idea.

You're sure you understand
what that means.

Sure. You hit the ball
through our goal,

and we hit it
through yours.

Right.
That's correct.

We'd like to give you
a five-goal advantage
to start off with.

No, thank you, sir.

As you wish.

We'll line up
if you're ready.

Right.

Yo.

Yo?

We got our own advantage.

They only got four men.

I figure with you, Harry,
we really got five.

I been thinkin',
this'd make a mighty
handy club.

Now, boys, we try it
their way, agreed?

What happened?

They just made
their first goal.

What are we doing
back here?

I took a swing at it,
then it was gone!

Now, this time,
play one man, your opposite.

If he gets the ball,
ride with him, get it
away from him.

Simple.

Be simpler
to bump 'em and ride 'em down.

No, we're meeting them
on their terms. Just
play your man.

Line up, gentlemen.

Come on, let's line up.

What's the matter with
this thing, anyway?

I got it!
I got it!

Hey, Steve, Virginian,
Harry, this way!

Get out of the way!

Over here, Harry!

This way, Trampas,
this way!

Yah-hoo!

Over here, Steve!

The ball!
Stop him!

Cut him off, Virginian,
cut him off!

You all right, Steve?
Yeah, I'm all right.

So...

what was the idea of that?

You deliberately ran him down!
It's a perfectly legal move.

That's not
a fair game, Drex.

They don't know the rules.

We're sure enough learning.
Anything goes, right?

If that's the way
you want it.

Well, good enough.
Form your team.

Harry, come over here.
I've got to talk to you.

All right. They can
show us a few tricks,
but we can show them a few.

Now you're talking.

Pick your man
and keep him off that ball,

no matter what you have to do.

Just imagine they're
the four lead steers
in a stampede,

and you've got to turn 'em,
one way or another.

I got it!
I got it!

Get out
of the way, will you?

Bring him in,
Trampas!

Haul him along!

Steve,
cut him off!

Well, that certainly
isn't polo,

but it is fighting spirit.
Bully!

Hey! Hey,
not so tight.

Take it easy.
It's not that tight.

All I can say is,
that was a stampede
and a half.

Sure was.
Hey, where's Harry?

He's at the doctor's
getting sewed up.
He cut his head.

Are you the one that said
those dudes couldn't ride?

Oh, at ease.

The Colonel will
see you now,

if you're able.

I'm able.

Sir! The Virginian.

Thank you.

I saw your melee
this morning, young man.

Beg your pardon, sir?

On the field. Polo match,
if you can call it that.

Oh, yes sir.

I understand that no one
was seriously injured.
No, sir.

That's extremely fortunate.
Yes, sir.

What did you want
to see me about?
Well, sir, you see--

Sit down,
sit down, young man.

Thank you.

I can tell you, young man,
I like men of spirit,

and that's what I saw today,
out there on that field--
fighting spirit.

That's what we're going
to have in this outfit,
or I'll know why.

Yes, sir.

That's why I like
Westerners.
Thank you, sir.

Men like yourself,
and your other, uh...
players.

Uh, yes sir.

And I am pleased--
I might say I'm proud--
to have them with us.

We need such men.
Well, yes, sir.
Thank you.

And may I say that I
consider that high praise

coming from a man
such as yourself.

But you see, sir--
well, that is--

Yes? Go on, don't hesitate.

Well, yes, sir.
Two of those men,
Trampas and Steve,

work for me
at Shiloh Ranch.

That's up in Wyoming,
at Medicine Bowl.

I'm the foreman.
Foreman?

Yes, sir.
Good. Excellent.

Well, yes, sir.
Thank you.

You see, when I heard
they had up and enlisted
in your army,

I, uh, decided to come
down here because--

Concern for your men.
Typical reaction of a leader.

Well, I can tell you,
young man,

that you need have
no concern for those two.

No, sir. But, you see,
the work back home,

that's getting out the beef.

That's important too.
And I thought--

That is important,
extremely important.

So I figured
with all of these
recruits around here,

and thousands more
coming in every day...

I believe I can see
your concern, young man.

As a leader,
a natural-born leader,

you've had some misgivings.

Yes, sir, I have.

Wondering which job
was more important,

where your place is exactly.

Well, no sir.
Not exactly.

It's just--

I can answer
your question, young man.

In fact, there is no question,
no question about it at all.

A foreman, a leader,
fighter,

a man of integrity
and courage.

The Rough Riders
is your natural home!

Beef? Leave that
to the others,

and there are
plenty of others.

But the fighting men
are needed here, with us.

Men like those
on that field today,
men of spirit,

men who will go to w*r
for their country.

Men who will risk
their homes,

their jobs,
and their families.

Men who will go on
to win this w*r,

and we will win it,
young man,

I can promise you.

You believe that?

Yes, sir, I certainly
do believe you.

Bully!

He what?!

He did what?

It's true. He joined.

Daddy got the telegram
this morning. It was
a long one.

Well, what did
your father say?

He didn't say anything,

until he had Eddie
rush me out of the room.

You know, I--

I'd like to be
with the boys in Cuba.

They say it's
very beautiful country.

Tell me something.

Didn't they say this was
a cavalry regiment?

That they did.

Then how come
we're not horseback?

Guess they figured
this wasn't exactly
horse country.

Then why didn't they
fix it up to fight
this w*r in horse country?

When we meet up
with the Spanish,
you work it out with 'em.

Sergeant.

We'll hold up here
a minute.

Yes, sir.

We should be getting close
to that clearing by now.

By my calculations,
I'd say about four miles.

That's my guess.
They're waiting for us
to hit that open plain.

With the Captain's
approval, I'd like to take
a scouting party up ahead.

I can move a little faster,
and we could feel out
that plain for you.

All right, Drex,
go ahead.

Sergeant, take
a detail of eight men.

Yes, sir.

You three... you two...
Grant... you two.

Detail ready, sir.

All right, Sergeant,
follow me.

All right, men, up here.

From here on in,
it's open country
to Santiago.

Our company has six miles
of open plain to cross

before we can join up
with Colonel Roosevelt.

The Captain has given us
orders to scout that plain.

We'll cross in open formation,

skirting that hill
to the northeast there.

All right, men,
spread out.

More like it, huh?

That's what they must mean
when they say "sunny Cuba."

Get down!

Move back! Move back!

Get back to cover!

It's not more than
a one-pounder from
the sound of it.

Well, maybe
it's a two-pounder.

How we gonna
spot the position
of that cannon, sir?

They've got it screened.

Are the men well dispersed?

Yes, sir.

Good.

We're going to take
that cannon, Sergeant.

We're going
to rush that hill.

R

That's right, Sergeant.

Pass the order
down to the men.

We'll go on my signal.

Yes, sir.

We're gonna rush the hill.

We're going after the cannon.
We're gonna rush the hill.

Wait for the Lieutenant's
command.

When the Lieutenant
gives the command,
we're gonna rush the hill.

We're gonna what?!

That's an order,
soldier.

We're gonna run up that hill
with ten men?

Like the Sergeant said.
Wait here.

Lieutenant, sir.
What is it?

May I make a suggestion, sir?
Go ahead, Corporal.

Brush is high
out on that plain.

Why couldn't we crawl
through and around that hill?

Because an entire company
can't crawl around that hill.

Captain Langhorne
and the company
will be here soon.

That cannon
must be destroyed.

Since we're here first,

we're going to take it
upon ourselves to destroy it.

Yes, sir.

Go back to your position,
Corporal.

Did he mean it?

Yeah, he meant it.

What is it
the Sergeant's
talking about?

When the Lieutenant
gives the order,
we charge up that hill.

Right into the cannon?

I don't mind walking,
but I never did take
to running.

I don't mind running,
but I'd rather do it
that way.

Sergeant.

Yeah?

I can take three men
and sneak up that hill.

That grass is full of
sn*pers. They'd spot you.

We've moved in grass before.

Those are trained soldiers.
So are we.

That's our only chance
to beat 'em.

Are you saying our only chance
is a charge up that hill?

It was a direct charge
that turned the tide

in the First Battle
of Bull Run.

There were 3,000 men
in that charge.

We've got ten.

We go when the Lieutenant
signals, soldier.

The men are alerted, sir.
Good, good.

Our first action, Sergeant.

Yes, sir.

Possibly the first action
in this campaign.

It won't go unnoticed.

Hmm?

No, sir.

Forward!

Forward!

Forward! Forward!

Fall in!

Forward!
Let's go get 'em!

Yee-haw!

Forward!

Forward!

Forward!

Forward!

Forward!

Lieutenant!

Withdraw!

Withdraw! Withdraw!

Go on back!

Take cover!
Pull back! Pull back!

Give me your hand!

Oh, go on!
It ain't nothing!

- Keep your eyes open.
- They may move in on us.

Right there.

Sergeant.

Sergeant,
you're in command now.

Don't fail me.
No, sir.

Get the cannon.
You get that cannon.

We'll leave him here
with one man.

There's a doctor in
Captain Langhorne's
company.

Where do we go, Sergeant?

You heard his order.
I did.

I also heard you
give an order out on
that plain to withdraw,

because you knew what
we were doing was senseless.

I was given an order.

And you were taught
never to disobey an order.

That's right.
Sergeant...

All right, Corporal,
speak your peace.

We didn't know much
about soldiering

when we joined up
with this outfit,
but we learned.

Men who weren't used
to following orders
learned to take 'em.

What I'm trying to say is,
we learned to respect
your ways.

All I'm asking is that you
learn to respect our ways.

Most of these men
have fought in country
just like this--

the prairies
and the mountains.

We know how to handle ourselves
in this kind of country.

Nobody's about to disobey
any orders.

If you order us to go
out there and charge again,

we'll go out there again,
and we'll charge.

I think it might be
a whole lot wiser

if you'd order us
to take care of that cannon
in our own way.

Corporal...
Corporal...

Easy, sir.
He's right.

What he says makes sense.

All right, Corporal,
you take your men

and get that cannon
in your own way.

You can
make that an order, Sergeant.

You heard the order.
Go get that cannon.

Yes, sir.

Could I make
one more suggestion?

Yes, Corporal.

That's a fairly big hill.

We might not have time
to scour it all.

If we run out of time,
do you suppose you could
start something here

that might draw their fire?

Create a diversion, hmm?

Well, yes, sir,
in a manner of speaking.

All right, Corporal.
Go ahead.

Yes, sir.

Sergeant.

Sergeant, what's
happening out there?

They should have reached
the hill by now, sir.

They should be climbing it.

But the cannon...

how are they going
to find the cannon?

I don't know, sir.

sn*pers?

I got one.

I got two.

I ain't seen
a living soul.

No sign
of the cannon, huh?

Well, then, guess
we just wait for Steve

and go back down
the hill again.

It's on the hill somewhere,
and we've got to find it.

It's the company, sir.
Captain Langhorne.

What took you so long?

I saw one sn*per,
but no cannon.

We'll go down again.

What if we don't find it?

We come back up again
and go down again,

till we do.

This kind of a w*r
can wear a man out.

We'll spend all day
running up and down
this hill.

The Lieutenant's
badly wounded, sir.

Doctor!

What happened here,
Sergeant?

They have a g*n emplacement
on the hill. They stopped us.

We sent out a four-man party
to get up the hill.

And?
No sign from them yet, sir.

It's been suggested we create
a diversion to help them
locate the g*n.

All right, Sergeant.
Lead on.

Yes, sir.

Sergeant, go back
and stay with the Lieutenant

and hold
the rest of the company.

Yes, sir.

All right, men,

let's break and spread out!

Charge! Come on!

Oh, no.
It's Hamilton again.

No. Must be Langhorne
and the company.

We didn't have a flag.

What they doing?

He's trying to draw
the cannon's fire.

Yo. Come on.

iFuego!

iFuego!

iFuego!

Well, I'd say we've got
two mighty good armies--

them and us.

Trampas, pick up my r*fle
and wait here for us.

Yo.

Stay ten paces apart, men.

Slowly. Hold your fire
unless fired upon.

Hold it.

Cannon is secure, sir.
Good work, Corporal.

I'm not sure we
could have done it if you
hadn't drawn their fire.

Not a bad plan, Corporal--

Western ingenuity
and army tactics.

Why, with a combination
like that,

the Rough Riders might just
make something of a name
for themselves.

Rough "Riders," sir?

Yeah, I know
what you mean.

Town looks...
town looks pretty good.

Hasn't changed
too much.

What'd you expect
in five months?

Well, at least they
could have had a...

reception committee
or something.

Come on.

That's worth
winning the w*r.

Ha. I can hardly wait
for Molly to write
a story about me.

Good idea.

Be sure and tell her
how you complained

walking up San Juan Hill,
buddy.

I still say
we should have had horses.

Hiya, Betsy!
How ya been?

Hello, boys.

How's the ranch?
How's the Judge?

Huh, Bets

We're back, Molly!

Hiya, Molly!

Oh, hello, boys.

Listen, I can't talk
to you now.

I'm terribly busy.
I've got to finish
this story.

Matt is waiting for it.

There.

As a matter of fact,
I'm glad you came by.

You might tell me
what you think of it.

"Judge Garth, one of
this county's leading citizens,

"wishes to make
this public announcement:

"To all residents
of Medicine Bow

"who might have heard
the Judge berating

"a certain foreman
and two ranch hands
for running out on him,

"the Judge wishes to announce
that all is forgiven.

"In fact, he's
rented the town hall
for a welcome home party,

and everyone is invited."

The Judge?

He what?

He did what?

Welcome home.

Ha ha ha! Molly!