Frontier Crucible

Declare your intentions!

Well, sure, I could send out a whole cavalry company

for this job.

It's an option.

You were about to ask me that very question, weren't you?

That thought occurred during your verbosity.

It's a good question.

Astute thinking on your part.

But here's my belief.

I believe that sending out a full cavalry company

is the surest way to guarantee

that those supplies will never reach San Carlos.

Beckford...

Merrick, if I may be so familiar.

You and I are old hands out here.

We know how things balance out.

There is not a company at the fort

that can stand against the Apache

in their own backyard. Am I right?

If the Confederacy had hired on some Apache troops,

I believe that war would still be going on right now.

Yes, sir.

Most assuredly.

We don't understand the Apache, and we don't want their company,

but we do respect them.

I'm not going to minimize the terror those people

must be feeling with this epidemic down South.

Sure, there are doctors in San Carlos,

two, maybe three,

who know their hip from their elbow.

But what those people want and truly need right now

are drugs and medical supplies.

It's urgent.

Haven't slept too much this past week,

trying to figure out how to supply them.

Find a solution.

And then you had the notion to ride out.

Correct.

Like a knight from heaven, sent by God Himself.

I had a notion to ride out.

But then, suddenly, the answer came to me.

Merrick Bedford could take that wagon

down to San Carlos by himself.

You could do it.

Alone. Unaccompanied.

You'd cause less commotion than some blundering company.

And you know how to navigate the Apache.

The answer was so simple, so divinely perfect,

that I almost laughed aloud.

The notion of riding alone through Apache country

doesn't make me mirthful, Major.

Well, maybe not,

but it does give a man confidence.

I've already ordered the wagon loaded.

Those folks in San Carlos desperately need those supplies.

And I need sleep almost as badly.

I'll be on my way inside of an hour.

Arm left. Forward.

Plagues and black boils!

Blast them tarnal savages to Hell.

Thunderation, woman. What in the name of God

are you transporting in this wagon

that stinks thatta way?

Are the smells of burning fineries

truly your biggest concern at this time?

You got some sass in you.

I don't abide a woman gettin' contrary.

Oh, Mule.

Allow the woman a moment to gather herself.

We've all been through an ordeal.

Well, since you asked me so polite-like,

I'll allow it.

Ma'am,

may I offer you some assistance?

Have you any medical experience?

Not formally, no,

but I have sliced open a few men in my lifetime.

A man out here chances dying every day, ma'am.

It ain't good for a lady like you to think about,

but that's the way it is.

But you don't have to worry about that too much, ma'am.

Men without women are real plentiful out here.

Ma'am, it might be better if you just let Mr. Butler

bleed out his insides right here.

What do you mean by that?

Your husband, he weren't the bravest critter

I ever laid eyes on when those Apaches attacked.

And that was back when we had a wagon and horses.

Now, it might be better if Mr. Butler weren't breathing

when those Apaches come back.

You didn't think they was through with us, did you?

They'll be back.

And if they saw inside that wagon,

glimpsed what a looker you are,

they'll be back quick.

With intentions.

You have no compunctions whatsoever

about letting my husband die?

Ma'am, we gots to prepare for our next engagement

with those Indians.

Pa, I see dust.

I see a wagon.

There's a red cross painted upon the canvas.

It's a army wagon.

How many soldiers are riding escort?

None.

Whoa, whoa.

How many on the wagon?

One man riding on the boot.

Looks like the time I paid two nickels in church

about to pay off.

You mind your husband

while we converse with this stranger.

But perhaps this wagon will be able to--

Edmund.

I advise you to take care

of that pretty little husband of yours in silence.

Looks like you all had an encounter.

You folks making camp here?

Well, a man camps where he has to.

Where's the rest of the army?

Three days, few hours north of here at Fort Stalwart.

Though it might take you a mite longer afoot.

Why are you riding alone like this?

You dislike the company of others?

Oh, I'm capable on my own.

Where you headed?

South.

San Carlos.

You folks come from that way?

Oh, yeah. We, uh...

we came from that direction.

Ambushed by Apache?

Yeah, and we'd sure appreciate your assistance.

Them braves aren't far off, and we hope to be off and away

before they return for an encore.

Will you help us out?

We'd be beholden.

I've been sent on a mission by the U.S. Army.

You better hold right there, friend.

Something amiss?

A couple things I'd like to say to you men.

Feel free to say anything you like.

Well, first thing's about these here animals the army gave me.

They'll pull far, and they're steady,

but they ain't fast.

In fact, they couldn't outrun a little old lady,

let alone compete with Apache ponies.

The other thing is,

if three men were to draw on me,

all at once,

well, there wouldn't be

but two of you left standing at most.

I'd kill the old one first,

then I'd see who else I could drop.

I'm steady and experienced in such...

situations.

Well, whatever gave you

such inhospitable thoughts about us?

Well, I was just considering what I might be tempted to do

if I was stranded in Apache country

with a woman and a wounded man

and somebody happened to come along

with a couple of fresh mules.

All right.

Ma'am?

Are these men your kin, by any chance?

They are strangers to me.

You better keep your distance

if you want to keep this whole thing friendly.

Edmund!

Come on, man.

I see you have a casualty.

Oh, yeah.

Now, he... he's digesting some lead,

though he's better off than our horses.

Hm.

Will you look at my husband's injury?

You'll pardon me while I assist these others.

Yes?

Of course, man.

Of course.

Go right ahead and help them.

Yeah, that's a nasty one.

Deep too.

Have you any experience doctoring such injuries?

Enough to know his chances might improve

if I cut that bullet out.

To hell with that.

We gotta get out of this tarnal valley

before them tarnal savages

come back and take our tarnal scalps.

If we all moved to a safer spot,

we'd be better off, ma'am.

Then let's quit all this jawing and ride.

Well, moving right now might kill this man.

Well, we all gonna be dead 'fore too long.

We need to go.

That ain't your decision to make.

Now, she can get another husband.