Shoot the Sun Down

In 1836, virtually all of the southwest was part of the Mexican Empire.

American adventurers and frontiersmen forged a new path of exploration, their gateway, Santa Fe.

Mexican, Indian, and white formed a motley oasis of commerce and shelter,

but as the Apache ruled th4 open desert, Mexican federales controlled the towns.

The old myths of Montezuma's golden wheel fanned the fires of new discoveries

and with it a deadly fever for gold.

The Navajo and Apache bitterly pursued their ancient hatred.

Scalp hunters lured by huge bounties, savagely preyed on both.

Marauding bandits like vultures scoured the countryside.

Into this cauldron of greed, distrust, and violence also came other kinds

of men, men of action, who could not be bought or intimidated.

Senor, we give you your life for your belongings.

-Thank you -My pleasure.

Now, if her ladyship pleases, do you think we can rig our arses to the wind?

Back in Portsmouth, you promised me a queen's treasure, remember?

And I listened.

Here you are, Captain.

Buy yourself the crown jewels.

It's just criminal, the way these Navajo and Apache go at each other.

Scalp 'em.

Anybody to home?

Button up, mates.

Don't mean no harm.

Heared your fine playing.

Thought we'd join you.

State your business.

Buffaloer.

Top dollar for them hides in Santa Fe.

So you, you like music, do you?

Yep.

I'm a bit of a musical man myself.

Is that a fact?

Yeah.

I do a little whistling, some singing.

Hummin's my favorite.

I guess you're planning on settling in Santa Fe?

I'm inspecting my stores from St. Louis.

I hear a man can do well for himself trading with Indians.

You heard right.

Indian is good business.

Morning.

Buenos dias.

You have come far.

San Francisco.

Ah, San Francisco.

Is it true the Californianos are seeking their independence from Mexico?

They're not strong enough yet.

The time will come.

And how long will I have the honor of keeping this fine animal here?

Two, maybe three days.

How much?

Dollar a day, senor.

That's awfully high.

But these federales would rather be rich than be respected.

You here for a shave and a haircut?

Appears that way.

Well, I appreciate a man knows how to keep himself.

Just passing through?

Mm-hmm.

I like to keep on the move myself.

What's your business?

You a hunter?

You ain't no prospector.

No.

See, you got one of them fancy new repeaters.

I got it.

You're a bounty hunter.

Sweeter than buffalo balls cooking in honey.

Well, it's nice talking to you.

Afternoon, miss.

I would like to know the carriage fare to New Orleans.

Orleans?

That's through Comanche territory.

Fine.

Only way I know it is by wagon train to St. Lou,

pack it down to Mississippi.

Fine.

Amos, what would you charge this young lady for St. Lou?

Well, not a red cent.

Afternoon, miss.

We'll be leaving tomorrow morning early.

We'd consider it a pleasure.

I'm sure you would, but all I require is transportation.

Indio, how are you?

What do you want to play with?

Their injun's rolling the pants off them.

Loaded.

You're a cheat, Indio.

I'm going to cut your head off, Indio.

Magic.

Yes?

May I sit down?

Please.

Thank you, Mr...

Rainbow.

Mr. Rainbow.

Very well, Mr. Rainbow.

I'm in need of your services.

You see, my father is a wealthy merchant of great standing and

influence in New Orleans, and that brute was neither my husband nor

traveling companion.

He abducted me from my family and carried me off to this uncivilized place.

What would you have me do?

Well, the only gentlemanly thing to do is escort me back to New Orleans.

Naturally, you'll be well paid.

Thank you for the offer, miss, but I don't think you're telling me the truth.

Sir, why do you doubt me?

Can't you see I'm a lady?

For your distinguished service, Captain Jefferson Davis.

Oh, then you're a soldier.

Oh, you must have looked grand marching into battle.

Many times I was invited to watch the King's Guard drill at

Wellington Palace.

You must have won many ribbons, Mr. Rainbow.

I won nothing.

It wasn't that kind of army.

We were slaughtering Indians, so I left.

I will not believe a man of your character a deserter.

I didn't see it that way either.

Oh, and what direction will you be traveling now?

South, to Texas.

I see.

And I expect you'll be well paid for your skills.

I expect so.

Whatever the sum, it'll be enough.

You planning on doing some trading down there?

Seems like a good place to set up an outpost.

Deserter.

It's a small village right here.

Deserter.

Excuse me, I didn't quite get that.

No, no, thank you.

The Apache weren't...

weren't too neighborly.

They come calling about siesta time.

Been a deserter for over a year now.

Apache, Hopi, Navajo, don't make no difference.

They'll slit your throat.

Take your scalp off, hang you on a pole, and go jigging around it all night long.

You ain't the first to get down there, though, you know.

Not many traders, but a lot of prospectors.

Looking for what?

Gold.

Savages are swimming in it.

It's high grade, ain't it?

I knew you wasn't no trader, but that's all right.

That's all right.

I appreciate a man who keeps his business to himself.

Where did you find this?

Picked it up off a saloon floor.

Registered your claim yet?

I told you, mate.

I'm a trader.

Sure you are, Captain.

And I'm the queen of hearts.

You still don't believe me?

You're very beautiful.

But I'm not about to be tricked into killing a man I have no argument with.

He didn't believe you, did he?

Well?

Base metal impurities, 12%.

Carbon content remarkably low.

The structural crystallization, 3.5. Dissolvable.

How about turnin' that into English?

It's one of the richest samples I've ever seen.

My friend, the Captain.

You know, the Captain.

He brought a nugget in here.

Yes.

Yes, what.

He did bring in a sample.

We was wondering if they was from the same vein.

I would say so.

Hi, boy.

Hiya. How you doing?

Who is this?

Who is this beauty?

Who's that?

How you been?I miss you.

You know that?

I miss you.

You like that, don't you?

I'll be getting out of here tomorrow.

Okay?

Okay? I'll se you tomorrow.

Good night.

Do you mind if I join you?

Sure.

I would like you to read this.

Let it be known to all that the party of the first

part hereby contracts with...

Why don't you just tell me what you're trying to say?

I can't blame you.

Those barristers write so only they can understand.

About a year ago, I put my ship into Portsmouth Harbour for the last time.

The girl was a...

chambermaid in the home of a former business associate of mine, Sir John Hampton.

Born into the lower classes, I could see her ambitions saw further.

She questioned me all night, wondering whether in America she could ever

be the same as those she served.