01x29 - Midnight Rebellion

[bunniefuu]

They're better
than I thought.

And those men aren't
much more than recruits.

They've only been
with us a few weeks.

Am I right,
Major Cantrell?

Sure are, governor,

and we'll soon
have them right back

where they were before
General Lee surrendered.

The toughest
hit-and-run fighters

ever to form
a skirmish line.

They should be,

they're the highest paid
troops on the continent.

With money stolen
from Canadian citizens

by you, Corteen.

Appropriated
is a better word, McClintock.

Not to me, it isn't.

The only difference
between you

and the lowest
murdering thief is

that you call
yourself a patriot.

I'm sorry
you feel that way.

Your being a government agent,
I'd naturally hoped

you wouldn't be leaving us
with a wrong impression.

But since
we can't convince you,

Major...

Sir.

McClintock.

Ready?

Aim. Fire.

[ g*ns firing ]

Here, read this.

It's the best dang dexter
I ever put out.

"In Washington, D.C.,
the body of a man

believed to be
Matthew McClintock,

former U.S.
secret service agent,

was returned tonight
from Canada.

Although neither government
would comment officially,

his death is being linked
to the border dispute

which for months
has been going on

between the U.S.
and Canada,

since both countries
have adopted

the official
hands-off policy

in hopes of reaching
a peaceful solution

to the disputed ground
known as Watertown strip,

no inquest is being held
on the slaying."

That's kind of
a long sentence, isn't it?

I must have forgot to put
a period in there somewhere.

"Speculation continues
however that Loren Corteen,

recently deposed governor
of Saskatchewan

is using the neutral ground
as headquarters

for what has been termed
a midnight rebellion."

Sounds all right
so far.

Yeah, but what's this
got to do with Laramie?

Read on, you'll see.

"Although both U.S.
and Canadian authorities

have denied all
talk of a rebellion,

ex-major Owen Cantrell,

lately
of the confederate army,

and his aide-de-camp
captain Vern Jamieson,

are known to be
in Corteen's employ.

Jamieson is said to be
recruiting hardened men

of the frontier to swell
the ranks of Corteen's forces.

Recently a warrant has been
issued for Jamieson's arrest."

Well, what do you
think of it?

Well, it's news, all right,

but I still don't understand

what this has got
to do with Laramie.

Well, listen to this,
less than an hour ago,

I saw this Vern Jamieson
ride into town.

That fella right there
in the picture,

he's the one that's been doing
the recruiting.

Slim, you better
come quick.

Jess is in trouble
at the saloon.

There you go, Sam.

As long as you're always
watering down your whiskey.

Now all you have to do
is wait till it rains.

It'd get the job done
for nothing.

Now, look, Jess, you just
cut that out, will you?

I tell you what,
if it rains too hard,

I'll send you some shingles
in the mail.

Now you know there's
a government marshal in town.

Now, you just
put that g*n away,

let's not have
any more trouble.

Remind me to tell you
what I think of
government marshals.

Well, if it ain't
my keeper come to fetch me.

Have a drink, keeper.

Supplies are all loaded
and it's time to go home, Jess.

Home sweet home.

Home to the good old
Sherman ranch,

nicest, dullest,

cleanest spread this
side of the Mississippi.

What's eatin' you,
Jess?

I'll tell you
what's eatin' me.

Cows and chickens
and chores,

working from sun up
to sundown

while you rake in
all the money.
That's what.

Let's go home.

Now wait a minute.

Now look here.

Go on,
take him home.

So you're the one
that's causing

all the ruckus
in here, eh?

Well, now, I don't know,
marshal.

I'm just trying to
liven things up a little.

Seems to me that you
and this boss of yours

ought to be able to keep this
young jackass in line.

Who are you calling
names, marshal?

Nobody
but you, son.

I don't know
whether you're worth

keeping a leash on
or not.

You better reach or you're
liable to find out.

Jess, Slim's hurt.

Keep out of this,
Jonesy,

I don't have
to take any lip

from this two-bit
badge toter.

Everybody, stay back.

Move back!

That man k*lled
the marshal.

Deputy, you better
get a posse, go after him.

Hold it, don't even breathe
if you want to go on living.

You're welcome to share
what there is.

You're going to
a lot trouble

just for
coffee and beans.

Mister, you've got
the only cooked food

I've seen
in a couple of days.

Move over there
and sit down.

Glad you like
my cooking.

Mind if I have
a cup of coffee.

Yeah, after me.

You can take off
that money belt.

There's about
$500 there.

How would you like to
make that every month?

That shouldn't be
too much trouble,

if the woods are full
of people like you.

Trouble is you can't
always count on that.

Any more than
you can count on

always ducking a posse,
Harper.

[ g*n c*ck ]

Generally, when somebody
knows my name

it means they've been
looking at reward posters.

I saw you k*ll a marshal
in Laramie the other night.

You're fast
with that g*n.

If you were as fast
with your head,

you'd realize I just offered
you a very good job.

And I told you,
I got a job.

This one's steady
for as long as you want it.

Doing what?

I wanna hire
your g*n.

Does it matter much to you
how you use it?

No, not too much,
but 500 a month in advance.

All right.

Now, I'd like that
.45 back.

Maybe tomorrow.

Sorry to be late.

Glad you had no trouble
finding the place.

It's about time
you got here, Jamieson.

Who's he?

JAMIESON: Jess Harper.

Jess, these are some of your
fellow recruits.

Well, the more
the merrier.

We'll camp here tonight.

With an early start,
we should reach

Watertown strip landing
before dark tomorrow.

What's that place again?

Watertown strip, up along
the Canadian border.

I never heard of it.

Well, it doesn't matter
much either way.

But you've heard
of Loren Corteen, haven't you?

All right, you men,
give us a hand

with these ammunition boxes.

Get the horses off.

Morning, Paul.

How are you, John?

No point complaining,
I guess.

I see they're still
coming in.

Yeah.

I hear those boxes
they're carrying,

they're filled
with ammunition.

I don't want to
hear about that.

That doesn't sound like
the Paul Durand I know,

the one who's led
the fight against Corteen.

And what good has
the resistance done?

Nothing.

There's always hope.

Paul, we want to meet
here this afternoon.

It's a waste of time, you know
that, we can't stop them.

Maybe not,
but we can keep on trying.

Our homes, families,
everything we have
is right here.

Yes, including
my daughter Jeanette,

who's practically
a hostage to them.

I know.

But we just can't let Corteen
go on walking over us

like the dirt under his feet.

I'm sorry, John,
I can't help you now.

What kind of a father
would I be if I did?

I brought seven
with me this time.

I'm sure you'll find them
to your liking, governor.

Good. How many
do you know, major?

Burke and Kincaid,
they rode with Quantro,

so did Calico Jack Miller.

Townsend, I've only known
from one meeting,

but he had made quite a big name
for himself during the blockade.

Bartlett, let's see,
he was one of the Plummer g*ng.

Who's this Jess Harper?

The one you wrote me about,
isn't he, Jamieson?

You know, the young rebel
from Laramie.

Yes, he may turn out
to be the best of the lot.

Harper k*lled a U.S. marshal
just before we left town.

Handles a .45
like he was born to it.

He's just about
the fastest g*n I ever saw.

Well, you haven't
missed yet, Jamieson.

Thanks, major.

Any trouble while
I was gone?

Oh, the whole village has been
as peaceful as a churchyard.

You reckon
they got religion, governor?

Well, it amounts
to the same thing.

You know, ever since Durand's
daughter has been in the house,

the villagers haven't lifted
a finger against us.

You don't mean you've
had to hurt her, do you?

No, relax, Jamieson.

Since they planted her
here to spy on us

it's been easy to turn
that to advantage.

I don't think I understand.

Well, it's simple enough,
we let Jeanette come and go

as she pleases, meanwhile
she makes a fine hostage for us.

Are the men settled
in the bunkhouse?

Yeah,
most of them probably,

they're being issued
shirts and carbines.

I told them,
when they went through,

they could have
the rest of the day off.

Fine. I think I'll go
and look them over.

You did a fine job,
Jamieson.

I'm glad to see that
the major approves.

One shirt. Black.

r*fle.

Hey, fella,
you got to sign for that.

Next. r*fle.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Watch what you're doing
with this thing

or I'll wrap it
around your neck.

Look,
I said I was sorry.

Yeah, well, make sure
it doesn't happen again.

Hey, calm down.

- Are you gonna
break it up?
- No.

Stop. Hold it.
Hold it.

Break off.

Now who started
this thing?

No one in particular.

You Major Cantrell?

That's right.

I don't have much use
for this sort of thing.

We'd all be a lot less
edgy if we knew

what was expected of us.

You'll learn that
when the time comes.

Is there anything wrong in
telling us when that will be?

Now let's get
one thing straight,

nobody is paying any
of you to ask questions.

You are here 'cause you all
happen to be handy with a g*n.

Now if somebody
causes trouble,

you don't have to worry
about being fired

because we bury
our mistakes up on Boot Hill.

Two g*ns
and no ammunition.

If only we could
get at that ammunition

they brought in
on the barge today.

That won't be easy.

[ knocking on door ]

Jeanette, you shouldn't
have come here.

I had to, Father.
I know Corteen's gonna
make his move before long.

I'm sorry, Father,
but I wasn't able to find out
when it's going to happen.

[ bell ringing ]

Now there is no reason
for you to blame yourself.

You have done more
to help than we have.

Someone's out front,
one of Corteen's men.

No, don't hide
the g*ns.

If he's here to search,
he's bound to find them.

Did any one follow you?

Not that I know of.

I'll try
to get rid of him.

Where did you get the g*ns?

You know that barge
that sank about 2 months ago?

Well, those are all that
we were able to salvage.

That's why
we're having the meeting.

You're taking
an awful chance.

You know what the penalty
is for having firearms.

They'll have
to catch us first.

Jeanette, I know your father
didn't want us to ask you,

but do you suppose
you could help us

get some cartridges
for them?

I can try.

Anybody here?

Yes, sir.

The sign says
food and drink.

I'd like
a little of both.

I have whiskey
and bread and cheese,

but I was just
about to close.

I smell meat cooking.

That's my own supper.

But if you want it,
I suppose

I can't prevent
you taking it.

Why would I want to do
something like that?

You work for Corteen,
don't you?

That's usually
reason enough.

Well, I'm new here.

I'll tell you what,
I'll have a drink.

Will you join me?

No, thanks.

Well, since you're
new here, perhaps

you haven't been told
about the soldiers' mess.

They say the food's very good.

You sound like you don't take
too much to the soldiers.

Will there
be anything else?

Yeah, I'll have
another drink.

Looks like he's stubborn,
he doesn't want to leave.

If he stays much longer,
he's liable to attract others.

Maybe I can handle him.

How long ago did Corteen
come here, anyway?

Four months
and thirteen days.

And you don't know
how long he's gonna stay?

[ bell ringing ]

Storekeeper, haven't
you filled my order yet?

I'm sorry, ma'am,
I haven't.

Then please deliver it.

I'm afraid I won't be able
to wait any longer.

Oh, pardon, ma'am.

If there's been any delay,
more than likely it's my fault,

taking up so much
of the storekeep's time.

I don't believe we've met,
have we?

No, ma'am, we haven't.

If we had, I wouldn't
have forgotten.

Then you're new here.

Yes, ma'am.
Jess Harper, from Laramie.

And I'm Jeanette.

Pleased
to meet you, ma'am.

I've a horse and buggy
outside, would you mind?

No, ma'am, my pleasure.

I got to
get out of here, Burke.

This place is so dead,
it's giving me the creeps.

Well, there's
two ways out,

on that barge
and over that hill.

Just one thing wrong,
they're both well-guarded.

Like being in jail.

Nobody ever paid me
for staying in jail.

Well, they pay money
for this, sure.

What I need to find
is a little town

with a real salon
and some real women in it

just for one night.

Just for...

What's wrong?

If you're thinking
what I think you're thinking,

it ain't worth your while.

Thank you very much.

You're welcome, ma'am.

Well, howdy, ma'am.

Where did you find
this bootlick, under a rock?

That's enough, Kincaid,
you're drunk.

Sure, I'm drunk,
not too drunk to pleasure

a beautiful woman though,

or use this on you.

It's his fight.

You don't have
to do this, I can drive.

Glad you can, ma'am,

because I'm not so
sure about myself.

But I'll give it a try.

Yeah!

Captain Jamieson.

What happened?

Harper again.

Let's get him back
to the barracks.

I guess you know,
you're gonna be in trouble.

Yes, ma'am, I do, just as
long as it isn't with you,
I don't mind.

You're very sure
of yourself.

Yeah, well,
that's what happens

when a man's born
fiddle-footed.

Just never learns
any better.

Governor Corteen
usually handpicks his men,

but somehow you seem
different from the rest.

Do you know the governor?

Yes, I work for him.

Oh, I see.

Then you're a part
of this uprising.

The governor prefers
to call it a rebellion.

All right.

You have any idea
when it's gonna start?

I don't know.
I don't think
anyone knows

except for
the governor himself.

Yeah, well, that figures.

Look, are you in a hurry?

I should be getting back.
I live just around the bend.

Well, I deliver
all the way, no extra fare.

No, please.

You mean
you don't want me to.

No, I'm sorry, really.

Well, I would like
to meet the governor.

Why?

When I was in the army,
I always liked to know

the man who was
giving the orders.

Well, I'm afraid he prefers
to keep pretty much to himself.

Yeah, all right.

Where does
he live anyway?

He lives just around
the bend.

Where you live?

Yes.

Oh, I see.

Well, maybe I'll see you
in town or someplace.

I hope so.

Yeah, I hope so, too.

Hold it right there.

You are through,
Harper.

Go on back to Laramie
or wherever else you'd like.

Look, if you're sore about me
taking Jeanette home, I had...

I'm giving you a chance
for your life.

Do you want to go now,
or do I tell the governor

you're here to
get information?

You got no reason
to say that.

I got all I need.

You're a troublemaker.

Now if you have any brains,

you'll head
downriver tonight.

There's guards on that
barge and you know it.

I have arranged it
with them.

Take the back road,
you'll be safe enough.

Yeah, I bet.

Shot while trying
to desert.

That will be the report,
won't it?

You're smarter
than I thought.

Now unbuckle
your g*n belt, let her fall.

Nice and slow.

Now get on your horse
and start over the hill.

Take it easy, Jamieson
will make sure he gets here.

- [ knocking on door ]
- Jeanette?

- Yes.
- Come in.

You wanted to see me?

Yes, I-- I heard of your
unpleasant experience

with Kincaid today.

I'm sure he didn't
mean to harm me.

He just had too much
to drink.

What about the other man?
Harper?

I'm glad he was there;
I certainly needed a friend.

Well, good, good.

In the future,
though, I--

Well, I wouldn't advise mixing
with the soldiers too much.

After all, there aren't many
pretty women in this area,

and we can hardly afford
to lose one like you.

Governor.

Well, what is it?

Jamieson's dead.

One of the new men
shot him.

Who did it?

Harper, the one
I didn't know.

He k*lled the guard.
He tried to get away,
but he didn't make it.

I got him
locked up.

Why would he do
a thing like that?

You know
what I think, governor?

Jamieson probably suspected
him of being a spy,

might even
have accused him.

You're right.
I'll take care
of him good.

No, wait, major.

I'm certain
he isn't a spy.

Well, how can you be so sure,
after what he has just done?

I think
it was personal,

and that I might
have been the cause.

You?

Jamie had been fond of me
for some time,

I haven't seen
much of him lately,

and when he saw me with Harper,
he was probably jealous.

If there was a fight,
I'm afraid

I'm the one
to blame for it.

Have you
questioned him yet?

Not thoroughly.

Well, then maybe you ought
to take the time to do it.

Whatever you say,
governor.

And, major...

No, I think it might be
better if you talk to him.

Me, why?

You're
friendly with him.

I think it might be easier
to get the truth out of him

voluntarily through you,

than to have the major
pound it out of him.

Will you help me?

Yes, of course.

Jess,
what happened?

Jamieson decided
to get rid of me.

JEANETTE: Then it was personal,
no other reason?

JESS: What other reason
could there be?

I could say
one thing for him.

He had good taste.

I must leave you now.

I just wanted to be sure
you were all right.

I appreciate that.

I'd appreciate it more if you
could get me out of here.

I'll do what I can.

Corteen sent you here,
didn't he?

Yes.

To find out
if I was a spy?

What are you gonna
tell him?

That you are loyal
to him.

Well, I am, every bit
as loyal as you are.

Jeanette, why do you
live in that house?

You don't wanna have anything
to do with him, I know that.

Please trust me.

Are you all right,
Miss Durand?

Yes, major.

It's time to leave,
Miss Durand.

And I'm sure he couldn't
possibly be a spy.

It happened
just as I told you.

And, of course, Jamieson
had no reason to be jealous.

None.

All right, Jeanette,
that's all.

What are you planning
to do with him?

Return him to duty.

I can see no reason
to punish him further.

I'm glad of that.

We all want to do
the right thing.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Major.

Sleep well,
ma'am.

Well,
what do you think?

Do you want me
to turn him loose?

Yes, and make sure you take
him on tomorrow's raid.

And come back
without him.

He'll die bravely,
fighting for the cause.

Oh, likely there'll be
some crying and carrying on,

that'd be
the end of it.

You are a smart one,
major.

I'd be a lot smarter
if I was a colonel.

And if I was a general,
I'd be practically a genius.

All in good time.

Hurry up, men.
We're moving out
in 5 minutes.

I'm sorry, ma'am,
but this part of the street
is closed for now.

I have a message
for Major Cantrell

from Governor Corteen.

You'd better hurry then,
we won't be around much longer.

Jess?

You must be
real proud of yourself,

getting me sprung,
so I could be a part of this.

I don't see you have
any cause for complaint,

going on a routine
training maneuver

is certainly better than
being locked up in a cell.

A routine
training maneuver?

Where did you
hear that?

Well, nearly everyone
in the village knows.

It's happened
so often

it's hard to keep
a thing like that quiet.

Well, I got
a surprise for you.

We're gonna ambush
a U.S. army wagon train

carrying g*ns
and ammunition.

The orders are to k*ll every man
and take over what's left.

Jess, you've got to
believe me, I didn't know.

None of us did.

Where is this
going to happen?

At Flint Canyon,
just across the border.

You won't get half a mile
before they stop you.

I still have a better chance
of getting through

than anyone else.

Most of the guards
know me.

Knowing you won't keep them
from sh**ting you.

Corteen's gone to too much
trouble setting this up

to let anybody else
get to the army

before Cantrell
and his men do.

Maybe so, but k*lling
a woman, any woman,

isn't the kind of thing
a man does

without stopping to think
about it for a second or two.

That won't
help you much.

That's allI need.

While the guards
are thinking, I'll be riding.

Jeanette,
I can't let you.

Then make it easy
on both of us

and don't try
to stop me.

Hold on there.

What are you doing
out this way, ma'am?

Governor
Corteen's orders.

I'm carrying a dispatch
for Major Cantrell.

All right,
let's see it.

I've been instructed to give it
to Major Cantrell only.

We got orders to let
nobody in or out of town
until this is over.

Well, now you know
how it is, ma'am.

Be our neck if we let you
through without looking over
that dispatch.

Parade go!

Circle 'em,
sergeant, circle 'em.

Come on, form a circle.

Command,
prepare for an attack.

Build up a barricade
and then circle 'em.

Come on, get a move on
and circle 'em around.

Let's take 'em,
boys.

Charge!

[ g*ns firing ]

Hold your fire,
that man is helping us.

She warned us,
she saved our lives.

I thought this wagon
would save her.

- Jess.
- Yeah.

- Jess, I...
- Don't try to talk.

Hold me.

I'm sorry.

We'll take her back
to the fort if you'd like.

Thanks.

Aren't you
coming with us?

No.

There's something
I gotta do.

I gotta see
the governor right away.

There's been
some trouble.

I gotta see the governor
right away, it's important.

Who is it?

One of the men,
says it's important.

Send him in.

Where is Major Cantrell?

He's dead along
with all the rest.

And you?
You escaped?

I helped
wipe 'em all out.

Don't make me
k*ll you, governor.

I want to take you back
to the United States alive.

I wouldn't miss
your hanging for anything.

You can't arrest me.

American law
doesn't apply here.

No, but I can take you
into Montana territory.

Firing on an army convoy's
an act of w*r,

a capital offense.
Now move.

All right, Harper.

Andy, how many times
you gotta be told

not to play
with that thing?

I'm not playing.

I'm practicing.

If Slim thought you were
big enough to have a g*n,

he'd have
got you one.

Jonesy...

I think Jess would want me
to have that g*n.

Andy, I'm a lot bigger
than you are.

Well, not much.

But I'm a lot older
by a long sight.

And I never handle
a g*n

unless it's
absolutely necessary.

Well, I might have to
some time,

and if I do,
I want to be able to use it.

Hi.

Oh, Jess.

Andy, boy,
am I glad to see you.

You, too,
Jonesy.

Well,
I'm not glad to see you.

Well, hi, marshal, I'm glad
you got the culprit.

You're supposed
to be dead.

I'm no ghost,
Jonesy.

Well, if this
whole thing's a joke,
so help me...

It's no joke, Jonesy.

I shot the marshal,
all right,

but I shot him
with a blank cartridge.

What?

Jess went off on a secret
mission for the government.

We had to make it look like
he was a wanted k*ller.

I had a little sack full
of chicken blood in my shirt.

It looked
pretty good, didn't it?

Yeah.

What kind
of a secret mission?

Yeah, I'll tell you about it
later, it's a long story.

But you didn't
have to hit Slim.

Yeah, I know,
I hit him kind of hard,

but I had to,
he was in on it.

In on it?

Well,
wait till I see...

I don't know who I'm maddest
at, but I think it's you.

We had to keep
in a secret.

We couldn't
take any chances.

Yeah, I'll have you know
that I cried my eyes out

at your funeral.

Hi, boy.