The Rebel

Four in gray who served Varina.

Contact M. Jaydee, Palace Hotel, Lodi Wells.

Fare enclosed.

Looks like him.

Yep, fits his description all right.

Go ahead.

You got an M. Jaydee staying here?

Last room, top of the stairs.

Thanks.

Who is it?

Johnny Yuma.

You may come in.

Beg your pardon ma'am,

a clerk at the desk said I'd find M. Jaydee here.

I am Mrs. Jefferson Davis.

Yes, ma'am.

You received my letter?

Yes ma'am, took some time reaching me.

I've been drifting since the war.

This is one of the letters I sent out.

During the war, you took part in a secret mission

designated as Varina.

Can you tell me for whom the mission was named?

For yourself, ma'am, the president's wife.

Tell me its purpose.

Please, Mr. Yuma.

In defeat, friends frequently become enemies.

My husband has been in prison almost two years.

There are still those southerners

as well as northerners who'd like him to be killed.

Northerners because he led the secession.

Southerners because they think

that he surrendered too quickly.

I've got to be certain that you're not one of them.

Mission Varina was a secret try for peace.

A meeting between two representatives

of President Lincoln and President Davis.

Chance to stop the killing.

Four men accompanied our representative.

How were they chosen?

Well we were recommended by our commanding officers.

We were from different companies,

but we'd been in the fighting since the start of the war.

We all knew that this mission sure was worth a try.

It was 1863, night, right across the river

from Washington City.

On foot, sneaking past our own sentries.

Then we got to the river and we saw 'em.

They got out of their boat

and they started towards us.

Ashbaugh, what's the idea?

Wait, please Mr. Yuma.

I asked Charles to be here.

I couldn't risk having information forced from me

in case you had become an enemy.

Not as scrawny as you were in the army.

You've changed some, Yuma.

I hope you have, too.

What about the other two men who went on Mission Varina?

Bill Dawson?

His letter came back.

Waters, I don't know.

I waited weeks for an answer.

He hasn't replied.

Now it's too late.

I can't wait any longer.

My husband's being released the day after tomorrow.

Well won't they give him

a military escort from Fort Monroe?

Well the commandant doesn't agree with me

about the extent of Jefferson's danger.

They'll only send two troopers.

They'll have instructions to leave him

a mile from the boat landing

in order to avoid attracting attention.

Rotten Yankee politicians sneaking him out

by the back trails so his release won't stir up a fuss.

Oh, please Charles.

Remember, a Yankee signed Jefferson's bail bond.

The most important man in the Republican Party.

Mr. Horace Greeley?

Yes, it means Jefferson is free

if we can get him to that hearing in Richmond alive,

he will grant an amnesty.

And you think these diehards will try to kill him

before he gets to the river boat?

They won't have much chance once he's safe aboard.

In between there's plenty of opportunity for ambush.

Jefferson's been racked with fever for months.

He's so weak he can hardly stand.

Once those soldiers leave him,

he'll be completely helpless.

Two men aren't much protection.

Jefferson's carried the burden for all of us

these past few months.

He's been punished for doing what he had to do.

Oh please, Mr. Yuma.

Help me.

Help him.

I'll do my best, ma'am.

Fort Monroe is here, two days ride from the river landing.

Now we're to rendezvous with Davis

at this abandoned weight station,

and then the Yankees will leave us here.

Mrs. Davis is a fine woman.

Yes she is.

Now we leave...

She thinks a lot of you, Ashbaugh.

Almost like a mother.

Well my family was very close to the Davises.

She doesn't know Mission Varina failed

because you took a shot at Lincoln's man.

President swore us to silence, remember?

I was younger then, Yuma, full of hate.

Mhmm.

Well just so your hate of Yankees

doesn't spoil this mission.

This is my chance to make up for that mistake.

I'm not gonna let anything go wrong.

I'm not gonna let anything go wrong.

Jefferson Davis lost the war for us.

Our families, our way of life.

I'm gonna pay him back for that

the same way that Booth paid Lincoln.

I still say it'll be easier

if we wait 'til he gets to Richmond.

No, he made peace with the Yankees.

Let him die while he's their charge.

Suit yourself.

Just as long as we get paid for it.

And you'll get paid well.

I expected you to kill Yuma on the trail,

the way you did the other one.

We knew which direction the other one was coming from.

Well then you should've killed him

when he got off of the stage.

With people on the street?

Too risky.

For a thousand dollars you're supposed to take some risks!

Not that kind.

Plenty of riding room, that was the bargain.

Well then you keep that bargain!

You keep it!

Mission Varina.

I lost a chance to kill a Yankee general there.

I lost it because of Johnny Yuma.

He knocked into my hand just as I squeezed the trigger.

Then the Yankee soldiers opened fire.

And they got me, right here.

I want you to kill Davis,

and that turncoat Yuma right along with him.

You kill them both.

Well, this is it.

You got the message?

Four in gray.

Minus two.

Serving Varina.

Gaines?

Come on in.

I'm Sergeant Mundale.

Johnny Yuma.

Charles Ashbaugh, Virginia.

Looks like you had a long ride.

We're supposed to meet President Davis here.

Where is he?

You'll see him.

Gentlemen.

Mr. President.

Charles.

Johnny Yuma.

It's good to see you, sir.

It's been a very long time.

Too long, sir.

Is Varina safe and well?

She's waiting on the boat.

Tomorrow night you'll be with her.

Freedom seems such an impossible dream.

You better let him rest now.

We have to get an early start.

I'll take care of the president, sergeant.

Where are you from soldier?

Vermont.

How long you been in the army?

Three months.

Quit that singing.

What?

Hey let go!

What's the matter with you?

You stole everything else from us, blue belly.

You're not gonna steal Dixie, not while I'm listening.

Steal?

I don't like to be called a thief!

Well thief is the word, thief.

Cut it out, Ashbaugh.

You've got real bad manners, reb.

Gaines, now clean it.