Avenging Angel

All right, boys, here comes the Colonel.

I'm gonna speak to him.

You stay put for a minute.

Mornin', Colonel.

We're ready.

Good morning, Mr. Quinn.

Well, they had their fair warning, didn't they?

Pretty soon everybody's gonna know who's in charge around here.

'Cause I tell you, I will not tolerate.

These people squattin' on land that is rightfully mine.

Kill 'em, Mr. Quinn.

Kill 'em all.

Yes, sir.

Follow me, boys.

Ah.

Here, sweetheart, you finish that.

Let me do it, honey.

You'd think I could do it by myself by now.

So independent.

I have a feeling that today.

Is a very special day.

The congregation's meeting their new Preacher.

For the first time.

Hyah! Hyah!

Come on! Let's get to the church!

Hyah! Hyah!

Some goin' that way! Let's go, boys!

Welcome, my friends,

To the house of the lord's worship.

It is a glorious day that the lord has given us.

What matters now is what we do with it.

I'd like to take this opportunity.

To introduce myself and my wife Sarah.

And daughter Rachel.

Good morning.

Welcome.

Hurry! Come on! Come on!

Giddyup! Giddyup!

Hyah!

Hyah! Hyah! Giddyup!

Come on! Come on!

That way! That way!

Let's go! Get on! Get on!

The lord does not leave us.

We leave him.

I'm sure we all have times when we wonder where he is.

Many of you have toiled in the fields,

Only to have your crops fail.

You may curse the lord and wonder why he has forsaken you.

In your time of need.

Well, brethren, know this in your hearts...

The lord will be there...

When you least expect him.

Giddyup! Keep goin'!

They're right behind us!

Come on! After 'em!

Don't let 'em get away!

Please come in.

Reverend, we need help.

You're welcome in god's house.

Won't you join us?

Please. Take a seat.

Now, if we'll raise our voices one more time.

And sing hymn number 2.

Here you go, dear. Thank you.

Hello, inside the church!

You best send them thievin' squatters out.

Mornin', Preacher.

Good morning.

Sorry to disrupt your services,

But we got orders to bring back them people inside.

By whose orders?

By Colonel Cusack's orders, sir.

Have these good people broken some law?

They're just a bunch of thievin' squatters.

They settled on land that they don't own,

And they were given a chance to leave, and they didn't take it.

Well... these people have sought sanctuary in a house of worship.

Heh heh.

With all due respect, Preacher man,

We have our orders, and I suggest.

You let my men bring them folks out.

I don't think so.

They'll come out or else.

We'll kill everyone in the church!

You hear me in there?

We have no weapons here, sir.

Violence serves the wrong master.

Last chance.

I ain't stayin' in here. Any of you goin' with me?

I am. I'm with you.

Me, too. Let's go.

Wait!

Wait!

Come on.

Uh-uh.

I ask you once again to leave this hallowed ground.

Seems you're outvoted.

Leave here now.

Light 'em up.

No! No! There are women and children there!

Aah!

Whoa! Whoa!

I don't believe it.

Follow me.

Let's go.

Hyah! Hyah!

Sarah?

Rachel? Sarah!

Sarah!

Sarah!

Aah!

Mayor.

We need to talk.

I'll get back to you on that, George.

Yes, reverend.

You wanted to talk to me?

I just came back from the cemetery.

Yes. Your, uh, dear Sarah and Rachel.

Why aren't the homesteaders buried there?

The entire town mourns your loss.

Those people deserve a proper resting place.

Bessie and Henry Dobbs found a spot,

On their property east of town.

You still haven't answered the question.

Why weren't they buried in the cemetery?

The Town Council felt the Colonel.

Might not take that too kindly.

By all means,

Do nothing that would upset the Colonel.

We don't need any more trouble.

We as men should seek justice.

I've seen so many men turn to violence.

When they lose the things they hold dear.

You never let the war consume you.

I love that in you.

You've lived what's in romans.

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.

Respect what is right.

I trust you will always live that way,

No matter what the future brings.

Lord have mercy on me.

Forgive me for the road that I'm about to take.

My dearest Sarah,

You are my guide in all matters,

Whether they be of a temporal or moral nature,

And your absence has not lessened your place.

As my touchstone into reason.

Now it is that I take up pen and paper.

To set down for you what I carry with me.

Since... last I held you.

Hours of reflection and prayer.

Have provided me with the answer that I sought.

And now I cannot help but unburden my heart to you,

As I always do.

You lived a life free of malice.

And inspired in me a desire to do the same.

Your deep belief that we turn the other cheek.

To our enemies.

Was my compass in life.

Unh!

But now I find that my thirst for vengeance.

Is unending...

And I will be slaked by one thing only...

The blood of those who have robbed me.

Of the bedrock of my existence.

I know that to seek out your killers.

And take from them some small measure of what they stole from you.

Would blight your legacy and cover me with shame.

My thoughts are such that I can no longer in good conscience.

Minister to my brothers and sisters.

I have elected to pursue justice.

As the vessel of the lord's vengeance,

Lest I remain here and take what I believe is my due.

So it is that I leave the home we made together,

Where I am surrounded by your memory.

And that of Rachel,

And ride out into the wilderness.

You are ever in my heart.

I remain...

Your loving husband.

You can do the righteous thing and give up...

I ain't armed.

I lost my weapon back there a piece.

You ready?

Can't you give me a rest?

One thing I always noticed about vermin...

Is they want a break whenever they get cornered.

You give those folks you robbed and murdered a break.

Before you shot them down in cold blood?

Oh.