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TRANSCRIPT:
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ACT ONE
FADE IN:

EXT. COLORADO SPRINGS - NIGHT SEVEN
Lanterns glow in the half a dozen soldier's tents set up in the meadow, more of the 7th Cavalry encamped for the night.

ANGLE - EUCALYPTUS ROAD
There's two soldiers guarding the road. One of them looks up when he hears something.

SOLDIER #1
What's that?

THEIR POV - LONG LENS - SULLY
driving Mike's wagon hard and fast, racing down the road toward them.

ANGLE - SOLDIER # 1
who, seeing only Sully and his long hair, raises his rifle.

SOLDIER # 1
It's an Indian ...

He sites him in.

ANGLE - SOLDIERS # 1's POV - SULLY
who doesn't see him or hear him above the clatter of wheels and hooves, and keeps driving.

ANGLE - WIDER ON THE SOLDIERS
Soldier # 2 now sees ...

MATTHEW
As he rides to the side of the wagon.

BACK TO SCENE
Soldier # 2 lunges at the upheld rifle.

SOLDER # 2
No ... don't shoot!

But the soldier fires.

ANGLE - SULLY
who hears the bullet miss his ear by an inch.

ANOTHER ANGLE
as Sully drives past the two soldiers who jump out of the way.

SULLY
Look out!

The shot is enough to alert the town and the Army.

ANGLE - SOLDIERS
who pop out of their tents to see what's going on.

ANGLE - SULLY
and the wagon, pulling to a stop in front of the general store. Matthew is right behind him. Sully jumps down, Matthew dismounts. Sully and Matthew run to the store, bang on the door.

SULLY
Loren? Loren, open up.

Loren appears at the door.

LOREN
What's the matter?

CUT TO:

ANGLE - CLINIC - DAY SEVEN
Colleen and Brian come out.

BRIAN
Hey, that's Ma's wagon.

Colleen and Brian head for the store, as do other townsfolk drawn by the shot and the shouting.

INT. GENERAL STORE - NIGHT SEVEN
Sully is grabbing supplies for his journey, handing them to Matthew, who follows him about the store. Jerky, matches, a blanket, some rifle shells.

LOREN
What're you doin'?

SULLY
You got any rope?

LOREN
Rope?

Sully looks up at a shelf. He takes down some supplies, hands them to Matthew.

Colleen and Brian enter, along with Horace.

COLLEEN
Where's Dr. Mike?

Sully turns to the children, he moves to them, and after a beat ...

SULLY
the Dog Soldiers got her.

BRIAN
They got Ma?

COLLEEN
But how?

SULLY
We got attacked on our way to get that lady that was hurt.

COLLEEN
Why didn't you stop them?

SULLY
I tried, but there were too many.

Horace steps back over to the door, shouts to the street.

HORACE (shouting)
Dog Soldiers kidnapped Dr. Mike!

BRIAN
Why'd the Indians want to hurt Ma? She didn't do nothin'.

COLLEEN
Ma's been their friend.

SULLY
These Indians ain't her friends. These are bad Indians. (Half beat). Look, I know she's alive. (To Brian) And I'm gonna find her. (To Colleen) I swear to you. I'll find her.

EXT. GENERAL STORE - NIGHT SEVEN
Sully comes out. Robert E has a horse waiting for him.

ROBERT E
Here you go, Sully. Fastest I got.

SULLY
Thanks Robert E.

Sully ties on his supplies. The children, Loren, Dorothy stand on the porch. Other town members gathered around. Sully pulls Mike's medical bag from the wagon.

SULLY (to Colleen)
I'm gonna take this with me. She'll be wantin' it.

Colleen fights tears, gives a hopeful nod. Grace puts her arms about Colleen and Brian.

GRACE
We'll look after everybody til you get back.

Sully ties the medical bag to the horse. He's about to mount up with General Custer and some soldiers come walking through the crowd.

CUSTER
What's this about a kidnapping?

DOROTHY
Dr. Quinn has been taken prisoner by Dog Soldiers.

HORACE
Sully can show you where to start lookin'.

CUSTER
Tonight?

DOROTHY
Why not?

CUSTER
There's no Indian scout alive that can track at night, madame. I'll be send some men to begin searching at dawn.

Sully mounts up.

SULLY
Be too late by then.

ROBERT E
Let me get a horse, and I'll go with you.

MATTHEW
Me, too.

CUSTER
Anyone who leaves this town forfeits my guarantee of protection. (To Sully) If you want my advice --

SULLY
I don't.

CUSTER
Do as you wish, but anyone who rides out of here tonight does so at their own risk. Don't expect the Army to come rescue you.

Grace touches Robert E on the arm, gives him a worried look.

SULLY (to Robert E, Matthew)
I could use the help, but I'll travel faster alone.

SULLY (to Custer)
Last I saw the war party, they were headed south west of Dry Creek. Start lookin' there in the morning'. I'll mark a trail for you to follow.

CUSTER
I assure you, my scouts will have no trouble --

SULLY
Excuse me, General, but from here on out, you're gonna be needin' all the help you can get.

Sully spurs his horse, rides quickly out of town. We HOLD on Custer.

CUT TO:

EXT. WOODS - NIGHT SEVEN
Through the trees we can see a small Indian village. WE PULL BACK to REVEAL Wolf standing quietly, watching.

INT. INDIAN VILLAGE - NIGHT SEVEN
A cooking fire tended by some women. There are more Dog Soldiers now, twenty of them seated around, eating. They are passing through, spending the night.

The people of the village wait on them. The children stand in the shadows, looking, pointing. White Eye sits by the fire. Mike is next to him. She's tid up. She's bruised, her dress torn, a scratch on her face. They offer her no food. She stares at it hungrily.

White Eye finishes eating, stands, pulls Mike up by her arm. It hurst her.

MIKE
Please ...

White Eye starts pulling her towards a tepee. Another Dog Soldier steps in front of him, starts to argue. This Dog Soldier thinks he should have Mike. He suddenly grabs her away from White Eye, pulls out a knife, starts waving it, saying why not just kill her now instead of fighting over her. The argument escalates. More shouting. White Eye begins daring the Dog Soldier to kill her.

Suddenly Walks on Cloud appears, calming both of them down, pointing to Mike. What he says finally makes sense to the two men. The Dog Soldier holds up his knife, cuts Mike's hands free. The Dog Soldier and White Eye sit back down again.

ANOTHER ANGLE
Walks on Cloud leads Mike a few steps away from the others, sits her down. He kneels beside her and offers her some water. She drinks. She splashes some on her face. He hands her some food. Mike eats hungrily. She drinks again, empties the cup. Walks on Cloud pours her more water.

A beat as Mike looks around, sensing it's safe to speak.

MIKE (whispers)
Thank you. I know that your father ...

WALKS ON CLOUD
This is not about my father. I reminded them you are worth nothing to us dead.

Walks on Cloud picks up some rawhide lace, grabs Mike's hands, jerking the food away, and roughly starts to tie her up again. We HOLD on MIKE.

CUT TO:

INT. HANK'S SALOON - DAY EIGHT
Early morning. Nobody there. Brian is sweeping up. He knocks over an empty whiskey bottle. It breaks. Brian looks about, starts to clean it up.

Hank comes staggering in from the back room, gun drawn, in his night shirt. He sees it's Brian.

BRIAN
Sorry.

HANK
What're you doin' here?

BRIAN
Cleanin' up.

HANK
Oh. (Beat). Well .... you don't gotta be doin' this .... I mean, I thought with your Ma and all, you might not feel like showin' up for a while.

BRIAN
Colleen said we should just keep doin' what we were doin' ... like Ma was here.

Hank looks at Brian.

HANK
Don't forget the corners.

He exits. Brian starts sweeping again.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. CHURCH - DAY EIGHT
The Reverend is sweeping down his steps. He looks up to see ...

EXT. EUCALYPTUS ROAD - DAY EIGHT
A procession of 50 Indians makes their way down the road. The Indians are tied together. Guarding them are members of Custer's 7th. Leading the pack is Custer.

The soldiers drive the Indians out into the pasture. In the line we see Cloud Dancing, other members of his village, children, old ones.

EXT. MEADOW AND ARMY CAMP - DAY EIGHT
Custer and the Sergeant are talking.

CUSTER
We'll build an enclosure here. See if there's some barbed wire in town.

SERGEANT
Yes, sir.

The Sergeant exits, Custer looks over at the Reverend.

ANGLE - REVEREND
looks back at Custer, and the Indians. His hand on his wound, the anger still in his eyes.

CUT TO:

EXT. WOODS - DAY EIGHT
Wolf suddenly appears from the brush, running up a trail. A moment later Sully appears, riding the horse, following him.

ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST
Wolf has stopped at a crossroads, not sure which way to go. Sully rides up, dismounts. He kneels to look at a footprint in the dirt. He looks up. They are close. He ties up the horse.

SULLY (to Wolf)
This way.

Sully takes off down a trail with Wolf right behind him.

EXT. RIVER - DAY EIGHT
A wide part of the river, between two cliffs. Sully and Wolf appear in the rocks on one side. Sully looks across the river.

SULLY'S POV - HIGH CLIFFS - DAY EIGHT
on the other side. Hard to see with the sun in your eyes.

CUT TO:

as we PULL BACK to see a rifle pointed at Sully.

ANGLE - MIKE
being held, a gag tied in her mouth. Her eyes filled with terror. Nothing she can do.

ANGLE - SULLY
as he starts to step from behind the cover of a rock.

ANGLE - MIKE
struggling with the Indian that holds her.

ANGLE - MIKE'S FOOT
as she finds a small rock by her foot and kicks it over the side.

ANGLE - SULLY
Who hears the rock tumbling down the canyon wall. He jumps back behind the rock just as bullet misses him. It echoes in the canyon.

SULLY
Dr. Mike!

ANGLE- MIKE
who hears Sully's voice and cries out through the gag.

MIKE (screams)
Sully!

ANGLE - SULLY
running from cover to another boulder. A shot just misses him.

WIDER ON THE RIVER
to see his problem. No cover. Nothing but open, and water.

ANGLE - MIKE AND THE INDIANS
already starting to get away with her. Walks on Cloud stops at the top of the cliff.

WALKS ON CLOUD (shouting)
Don't follow us or we will kill her.

SULLY (shouting)
Is she all right? Let me see her! Dr. Mike!

WALKS ON CLOUD (shouts)
You want see her alive, you tell Custer to let my father and his village to free.

SULLY (shouts)
What are you sayin'?

WALKS ON CLOUD (shouts)
They are his prisoners.

ANGLE - SULLY
WALKS ON CLOUD (O.C.)
Tell Custer we will trade our prisoner for his.

Sully steps out from the rocks, looks up, then turns to Wolf.

SULLY Stay with em.

Wolf moves to the water, dives in, starts to swim across.

ANGLE - SULLY
Sully runs, starts climbing out of the canyon, heading back to his horse. He stops, looks back ...

SULLY'S POV - WOLF
pulling himself out of the water, shaking off, and running after the Indians.

SULLY
rides back into the woods.

EXT. TOWN - DAY EIGHT
A barbed wire fence, high enough to keep people in, set out in the field. All the Indians inside. Soldiers sit with rifles pointed at the Indians.

ANGLE - SCHOOL HOUSE - DAY EIGHT
where the children are out playing, but mostly watching the Army and the Indians from a distance. Colleen and Brian are there.

EXT. PASTURE - DAY EIGHT
Sully comes riding up out of the woods behind the church, stopping, not believing what he sees. He rides up to the fence.

COLLEEN AND BRIAN
spot him.

COLLEEN
It's Sully.

And they both run for him.

MOVING WITH SULLY
as he rides up by the faces of the Indians, looking out through the barbed wire. Women, children, old ones. Sully dismounts when he sees Cloud Dancing.

SULLY
Cloud Dancing? What happened?

CLOUD DANCING
We did not run fast enough, or far enough.

A Soldier comes up to Sully.

SOLDIER
Hey, you, get away from the prisoners.

The soldier makes the mistake of trying to push Sully with the rifle butt. Sully whirls around, backhands the soldier, sending him tumbling, but hangs on to the rifle.

SULLY
Where's General Custer?

WIDER ANGLE
as Custer comes walking up.

CUSTER
Right here.

ANGLE - SULLY
throws the rifle to the soldier.

SULLY
You've got to let them go.

CUSTER
They are my prisoners.

SULLY
What did they do?

CUSTER
They are under arrest for leaving their reservation and for aiding and abetting the enemy.

Colleen and Brian come running up.

COLLEEN
Sully. Where's Dr. Mike? Did you find her?

SULLY
She's all right.

Colleen and Brian grab hold of Sully.

BRIAN
Why didn't you bring her home?

COLLEEN
Where is she?

Sully looks up at Custer.

SULLY
The Dog Soldiers know you have taken this village captive. They said they'll trade Dr. Mike for these Indians.

Custer gives him a look.

CUSTER
Out of the question.

SULLY
But these aren't Dog Soldiers. They're children, and women and old men. You're not at war with them, are you?

Custer leans down to Brian and Colleen.

CUSTER
You children want to see you mother again, don't you?

BRIAN (quietly)
Yes, sir.

Custer looks at the prisoners. He thinks for a moment.

CUSTER
Well, I think that can be arranged. (To Sully) I want you to deliver a message to the Dog Soldiers. Tell them that unless Dr. Quinn is returned safely, I will begin executing these prisoners as soon as a gallows can be constructed.

Custer exits. We HOLD on Sully and the children as we
END ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:

EXT. DOG SOLDIER CAMP - DAY NINE
By the river. Mike bathes her arms and face in the water. Hard to do with your hands tied. White Eye crouches on the bank of river, staring at her bare shoulders and white skin.

A DOG SOLDIER
acting as a lookout, crouches in the high rocks. He something in the distance, points to it.

DOG SOLDIER (in Cheyenne)
Someone's coming.

EXT. DOG SOLDIER CAMP - DAY NINE
as the riders appear. Two Dog Soldiers (#2 and Lone Heart, wounded in the shoulder) approach. The camp goes to meet them. Walks on Cloud helps Lone Heart down, sets him on the ground.

Mike walks up from the river. The other Indians pull at the wound, move the shirt way. Mike looks at Walks on Cloud.

MIKE (to Walks on Cloud)
Tell them they have to stop the bleeding.

WALKS ON CLOUD
Lone Heart killed two soldiers this morning. He says he is ready to die.

MIKE
But he doesn't have to. Tell them I can help.

Walks on Cloud ignores her. Mike grabs at her dress, rips a long strip of it. She folds it for a bandage, then moves to the group of men, kneels down by Lone Heart.

MIKE
I can help. (In Cheyenne) Help.

Slowly she reaches out with the bandage and places it on the wound. She gestures for them to press on it. One Indian places his hand on the bandage. Mike presses down hard on the man's hand.

MIKE
Hold it down. Like that. Yes. Hold it there.

Mike gets up, moves back to the side of the river, starts gathering cattails, some mud.

MIKE
We can make a plaster.

She gestures. Walks on Cloud watches her try and make the others understand.

WALKS ON CLOUD (in Cheyenne)
She says to put it on his wound. To stop the blood.

The others listen, then nod. One of the Indians takes the mud from her, starts to apply it.

White Eye starts talking to Dog Soldier # 2, gesturing, asking questions.

ANGLE - MIKE AND WALKS ON CLOUD
Walks on Cloud looks at her. He's curious.

WALKS ON CLOUD
Will it work?

MIKE
I believe so. Your father taught me how to do it.

Walks on Cloud turns away.

MIKE
He taught me many good things.

WALKS ON CLOUD
Then how could you betray him?

MIKE
I didn't know the Dog Soldiers were hiding in your village. Had I known, I never would have brought the Army with me that day.

He looks at her and sees the remorse is genuine and heartfelt. Then they look up to see --

ANGLE - WHITE EYE starting to shout orders to the other Dog Soldiers.

MIKE
What's he saying?

WALKS ON CLOUD
We are going. White Eye wants to leave now before the Army comes.

MIKE
But that man can't travel.

The Indians begin to mount up. Two Dog Soldiers prop Lone Heart against a rock. Walks on Cloud grabs Mike.

WALKS ON CLOUD
Get on the horse.

MIKE
But you can't leave him here.

Mike gets up on the horse.

MIKE
Somebody has to take care of him or he'll die.

White Eye shouts something to the other Indians. He takes out his rifle.

MIKE
No!

White Eye swings the rifle around and fires off a shot in another direction.

ANGLE - MIKE
looking to see what he was shooting at.

MIKE'S POV - WOLF
running for cover deeper into the woods.

BACK TO MIKE
wondering if she saw what she thinks she saw. Walks on Cloud takes her reins, starts to lead her horse away.

WALKS ON CLOUD
The wolves will kill him.

Mike looks back.

MIKE'S POV - LONE HEART
seated against the rock.

BACK TO SCENE
as the Dog Soldiers ride out, Mike looking over her shoulder for any sign of Wolf. Suddenly hopeful that Sully might near.

CUT TO:

EXT. WOODS - DAY NINE
Sully follows a trail, running through the woods.

EXT. WOODS - DAY NINE
as Sully comes running up a path. He passes by a large old Oak tree, and as he passes, a Dog Soldier steps out, raises a rifle and shoots at Sully's back.

ANGLE - SULLY
running away from us. The bullet catches him in the arm, and he goes down, falling off the trail, rolling down the hill side.

ANOTHER ANGLE
as Sully comes to a stop against a tree trunk. He sits up, grabs at his shoulder. Blood, but it's only a flesh wound. He hears a war cry, looks up.

SULLY'S POV - TWO DOG SOLDIERS
come racing down through the trees, tomahawks drawn.

BACK TO SCENE
Sully is barely on his feet when the first Dog Soldier slams into him. Sully flips him over, slugs him, knocking him out, but then gets hit from behind by the other Dog Soldier. Sully falls over on his back.

Sully looks up.

ANGLE - THE DOG SOLDIER
raises his tomahawk for the kill. Suddenly Wolf flies into FRAME, knocking the Dog Soldier over.

ANOTHER ANGLE
The Dog Soldier swings at Wolf with his tomahawk, connects to his leg. Wolf cries out, goes down.

The Indian starts to hack at the dog and Sully suddenly appears behind him and knocks the Indian out with a blow. Sully takes a moment to catch his breath, then looks over to see ...

WOLF
is sitting up, holding his wounded paw in the air. It's bleeding. Sully moves to him, examines the paw.

SULLY
Not too deep. It's gonna be all right, boy.

Sully takes Dr. Mike's bag from his pack, gets some bandages out.

SULLY
You know where she is, boy? She all right? They haven't hurt her, have they?

He ties a bandage on Wolf's paw. He scratches Wolf's head.

SULLY
Thanks. (Half beat) All right, take me to her.

Wolf barks, then starts off on the trail, hopping on three legs.

SULLY
Find her.

And they disappear into the woods.

CUT TO:

EXT. TOWN - DAY NINE
Soldiers are building a four station gallows in the meadow, in front of the barbed wire camp. It's about half way completed.

INT. JAKE'S BARBERSHOP - DAY NINE
Jake shaves Horace. Loren is reading a paper. Hank is smoking a cigar.

JAKE
You really think General Custer's gonna hang em all? Women and children?
HANK
Custer shot his own men. What do you think?

LOREN
The sooner they're all done way with, the better. Them Indians are only standin' in the way of everything we want to do with this country.

HORACE
Is that any reason to kill em?

LOREN
It's their fault for not stayin' where we put em.

HORACE
That's cause they got no food on the reservation.

JAKE
Indians are a different animal. We can't live together.

HORACE
Maybe not, but Dr. Mike said there's no reason we shouldn't try and get along.

HANK
And look what happened to her. Bet she's sayin' somethin' different now.

JAKE
Sully ain't gonna find her.

HANK
If he does, he won't want what's left.

LOREN
I feel sorry for her, but she brought it on herself.

JAKE
Ain't that the truth. Always in the middle, tryin' to talk things out.

LOREN
World don't work that way.

JAKE (to Horace)
There, you're done. That'll be two bits, Horace.

Horace steps out of the chair, pays Jake.

HORACE
I used to think we could all get along. Guess that ain't possible anymore.

LOREN
It's like the Reverend said on Sunday, "can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?"
HANK
Somebody kills, they gotta pay for it.

LOREN
Bible says so. Eye for an eye.

JAKE
Tooth for a tooth.

HORACE
I got a telegram this mornin'. There's a reporter comin' from the Denver paper to write about it.

JAKE
Well, I guess people all over the world are gonna know what happened here.

HORACE
Are we sure this is somethin' we want to be famous for?

Horace exits. We HOLD on the men.

CUT TO:

INT. LOREN'S STORE - DAY NINE
Dorothy is running her press when Brian enters.

DOROTHY
Hello, Brian.

BRIAN
I need some more soap.

DOROTHY
Already?

Brian's pants are wet. His knees are dirty. He's been scrubbing floors. He's tired and a mess. Dorothy shakes her head.

DOROTHY
What's he got you washin' now?

She moves to a counter, picks up a bar of soap.

BRIAN
The tables and chairs.

DOROTHY
He's workin' you awful hard.

BRIAN
I don't mind. Got nothin' else to do. Can't go home. Can't play in the woods ... all I can do is ...

Brian fights his tears. Dorothy puts her arm around him.

BRIAN
Sully'll find Ma, won't he?

DOROTHY
Brian, I know if anybody in this world can find Dr. Mike, Sully can.

Brian nods. He starts to go out.

DOROTHY
Here, you forgot somethin'.

She goes to the candy box, gets two pieces of taffy, hands them to Brian.

BRIAN
Thanks.

EXT. STREET - DAY NINE
Brian comes out of the general store, looks to see if Hank is still in Jake's barbershop. He is, but his back is to us. Brian looks over at the saloon, then waits for a passing wagon to give him cover, jumps behind it, and makes a run for the livery. The streets are busy with people taking refuge in the town.

EXT. ROBERT E'S LIVERY - DAY NINE
Robert E is working his forge. Brian runs out from behind the wagon.

BRIAN
How's she doin'?

ROBERT E
Eatin' better today.

BRIAN
What about her leg?

I won't know til I take the bandage off.

Brian turns, starts for the corral.

ROBERT E
Brian, the leg don't heal right, that horse won't be worth nothin'.

BRIAN
I'd be takin' her anyway, Robert E, just to make sure Hank don't hurt her no more.

Brian exits. We HOLD on Robert E.

ANGLE - CORRAL
Brian climbs up on the rail. The horse comes over to him. He unwraps a piece of taffy, holds it out to the horse. The horse sniffs it, for a moment seems interested.

BRIAN
Go ahead. Go on, girl.

But finally the horse doesn't take it. Disappointed, Brian wraps the taffy up, puts it in his pocket.

CUT TO:

EXT. SMALL INDIAN VILLAGE - NIGHT NINE
Different than the one we've seen. Another stop on the trail for the Dog Soldiers. Three teepees, scattered about. Full moon lighting up the forest.

The women of the village serve the Dog Soldiers.

White Eye looks at Mike, seated on the other side of the fire . He decides he's waited long enough. He wants her.

ANGLE - MIKE
as White Eye steps around the fire to face her. He grabs her arms and pulls her up. She starts to fight him and he slaps her hard, knocking her down.

ANOTHER ANGLE
as Walks on Cloud appears and helps Mike to stand up again. Then Walks on Cloud pulls of his bone necklace.

WALKS ON CLOUD (in Cheyenne)
I will trade you for her.

White Eye looks at the necklace. He nods, takes it. Walks on Cloud grabs Mike by the arm, stars ushering her to the farthest teepee.

MOVING WITH THEM
as they pass the other Dog Soldiers, who murmur their approval and envy.

MIKE
Please ...

WALKS ON CLOUD (shouts in Cheyenne)
I am Walks on Cloud. Remember this day.

And he pushes Mike into the teepee, pulls the flap shut behind them.

ANGLE - WHITE EYE
looking at the necklace, turning it over in his hands, and then looking back at the teepee. Reconsidering the deal,
INT. TEEPEE
Mike is looking at Walks on Cloud. She's terrified. He takes his knife out.

MIKE
Please ... please don't.

He grabs her hands.

MIKE (screams)
Please ... don't hurt me!

EXT. TEEPEE
White Eye and the other Indians look up, nod and speak to each other. White Eye stands, starts for the teepee.

INT. TEEPEE
Mike looks at Walks on Cloud surprise in her face as he cuts her hands free. He gestures for her to be quiet, then he steps to the back of the teepee, cuts it open.

WALKS ON CLOUD
Go.

MIKE
What?

WALKS ON CLOUD
White Eye will not let you live. He has said so. (Mike's look). I do not want my father and all those innocent people to die. Their ghosts will haunt me forever. You are the only one who can save them. You must go.

MIKE
I ...

WALKS ON CLOUD
Go.

As Mike goes out the side of the teepee ..

WHITE EYE (O.C.) (In Cheyenne)
I have changed my mind.

Walks on Cloud turns around to see.

ANGLE - WHITE EYE
stepping into the teepee. He looks around, doesn't see Mike.

EXT. WOODS - NIGHT NINE
Mike is moving through the brush, as quickly as she can. She's not that far away from the teepees. We can see the campfire in the distance behind her. And we can hear the shouting voices of White Eye and Walks on Cloud ... there's a gunshot.

Mike stops for a moment, looks back at the teepees. We hear the shouts of the Dog Soldiers starting to look for her. Mike starts running again.

EXT. WOODS - NEW ANGLE
The Dog Soldiers spread out, looking for signs of her. White Eye follows her trail silently, knowing he's closing in. He finds a broken sapling, a piece of cloth.

ANGLE - MIKE
running, looking for a hiding place. And then she sees it.

ANGLE - LARGE HOLLOW LOG
off the path. Mike enters the shot, climbs into the log, pulls some leaves and brush over her. We hear foot steps, the voices of the Dog Soldiers. A few pass very close to her. Mike nearly screams when something crawls over her hand. She listens for the longest time, thinking they've moved on. And slowly she climbs from her hiding place. She turns to run and
WHITE EYE
is there, waiting for her. He grabs her and she screams and fights with him, but he shoves her away. She hits her back and head on a tree, and the blow stuns her. Mike slumps to the ground. She doesn't move. We HOLD on Mike, White Eye shouting to the others that he's found her as we
END ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN
EXT. SMALL VILLAGE - DAY TEN
Sully is looking at the faces of the women and children gathered in front of the teepees. Wolf is sniffing around.

SULLY (in Cheyenne)
Was she here?

SULLY'S POV - INDIAN FACES
gathered about him, none of them showing any sign of understanding, or not wanting to.

BACK TO SULLY
seeing he's being stonewalled out of fear.

SULLY (in Cheyenne)
I know she was here.

Sully moves to one of the ELDERS.

SULLY (in Cheyenne)
She is a friend of the Cheyenne. Help me find her.

He steps over to a WOMAN
SULLY (in Cheyenne)
Was she all right? Can you tell me. Please?

He looks around for any friendly face, any help. Nothing.

SULLY (in Cheyenne)
Do you not understand? The woman is my heart song.

He places his hand on his chest.

SULLY (in Cheyenne)
Help me find her. (Half beat - in English) Help me.

Sully looks at the faces again. An Elder Grandmother raises her hand, points off in a direction.

GRANDMOTHER (in Cheyenne)
They took her to the rivers.

Sully nods his thanks. Then the Grandmother holds up the bone necklace Walks on Cloud traded. She gives it to Sully. He turns and runs out of camp with Wolf following close behind him
CUT TO:

EXT. MEADOW - DAY TEN
A Guard is stopping Matthew and Colleen from going to the barbed wire fence. They have four buckets of water which they set down.

GUARD
It's the General's orders.

COLLEEN
It's water. They haven't had a drink all day.

ANGLE - CLOUD DANCING
and the women and children, standing by the fence.

BACK TO SCENE
GUARD
You can't give em nothin'.

The guard tips over one of the buckets.

MATTHEW
Hey.

ANGLE - CHURCH
where the Reverend has been watching it all.

BACK TO SCENE
COLLEEN
You can't treat them like this. You haven't given them food, or water ...

GUARD
They're Indians. And they're gonna hang in a couple of days, so it don't matter.

The Reverend steps up, having overheard. He picks up a bucket.

REVEREND
Even the Romans gave water to the condemned.

The Reverend carries the bucket over to the fence. Matthew and Colleen give the soldier a look, then pick up the other buckets and take them to the Indians at the fence. They ladle water out.

ANGLE - THE REVEREND
gives water to the children. He looks up to see
CLOUD DANCING
On the other side, watching him. His hands are tied.

CLOUD DANCING
Thank you.

The Reverend offers the ladle to Cloud Dancing.

CLOUD DANCING
The children first. I will wait.

A woman takes the ladle, shares it with her child.

CLOUD DANCING
Reverend?

REVEREND
Yes?

CLOUD DANCING
I have asked to speak with the General, but he will not come. Would you ask him for me?

The Reverend nods. He considers he may have let his anger take him down a wrong path.

REVEREND
Do you know where Dr. Mike is? If you do, I'll tell Custer and he can go get her and you'll be set free. All he wants to do is get her back unharmed.

CLOUD DANCING
I do not know where she is.

REVEREND (beat)
Then I must pray that Sully will find her.

CLOUD DANCING
I have prayed. I have prayed to know how our Gods let this happen.

REVEREND
And were your prayers answered?

CLOUD DANCING
The spirits don't speak to me. Will you ask your God if this is His plan? Is this what your God wants?

The Reverend looks at Cloud Dancing. He looks at the children and old men and women being given water by Colleen and Matthew. And then he looks up at
THEIR POV - THE GALLOWS
nearly competed, waiting in the meadow to be used.

BACK TO SCENE
CLOUD DANCING
Will you ask him for me?

We HOLD on the Reverend as we
CUT TO:

EXT. SIDE OF THE SALOON - DAY TEN
Brian is splitting some firewood into kindling. He's got a pretty good stack going. He picks up another log, starts splitting it. Myra sticks her head out of one of the backroom windows.

MYRA
Brian?

BRIAN
Hello, Myra.

MYRA
Why don't you stop now?

BRIAN
But Hank wanted the whole box filled up.

MYRA
Well, Hank ain't here and he don't know how much it's disturbin' the customers. It's all right. I'll tell him. You won't get in trouble.

Brian puts down the hatchet.

MYRA
Brian ...

BRIAN
Yes?

MYRA
Everything's gonna be all right.

BRIAN
Yes, ma'am.

Myra goes back inside. Brian pulls on his jacket, his hand goes in his pocket. He pulls out a taffy.

EXT. CORRAL - DAY TEN
Brian looks at the horse.

BRIAN
Hey girl.

The horse comes over to him. Brian takes out a taffy, sets it on the rail. The horse sniffs it, and then takes it.

BRIAN
You ate it.

Brian quickly unwraps another one, holds it out. The horse takes it, eats it.

BRIAN
You ate another one. (Shouts) Robert E! Robert E!

ROBERT E (O.C.)
Round here.

Brian jumps down, starts running around the livery to find him.

EXT. ROBERT E'S LIVERY - DAY TEN
Robert E is working on a buggy, talking to a customer. Brian runs up.

BRIAN
Robert E. Come quick. The horse.

ROBERT E
Brian, I'm helpin' this man.

BRIAN
You've got to come now. She's gonna be all right.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET - DAY TEN
Robert E. Has the horse on line, walking her down the center of town. The horse steps smartly, feeling well again.

ROBERT E
You're right, Brian, she's gonna be just fine.

He turns her around. Brian is overjoyed. They pass by in front of the saloon.

ANGLE - SALOON - DAY TEN
Hank is standing outside, talking with a customer. He looks up to see Brian, Robert E and the horse.

BRIAN
Hey, Hank, look she's all better. She's gonna be fine. Ain't that great!

ANGLE - BRIAN AND ROBERT E
as they turn and head back the other way, towards the livery.

ANGLE - HANK AND CUSTOMER
CUSTOMER
Nice horse.

HANK
She's mine. Comes from racin' stock.

CUSTOMER
Really? (Half beat). She for sale?

HANK
You interested?

CUSTOMER
If the price is right.

HANK
Make me an offer.

CUT TO:

EXT. WOODS - DAY TEN
CLOSE - MIKE
White Eye holds a hand over her gagged mouth so she can't cry out.

ANOTHER ANGLE
to see the distant Cavalry searching for them. The Army is riding in the wrong direction, away from the Indians. White Eye nods to his soldiers.

Mike sees all hope ride away with the Army.

EXT. MOUNTAINS - DAY TEN
Sully and Wolf at the foot of some boulders. Wolf is whimpering.

SULLY
Too much for you to climb. You go on back.

Wolf whimpers.

SULLY
Go on.

The wolf turns and limps off. Sully starts up the rocky trail.

CUT TO:

EXT. LIVERY CORRAL - DAY TEN
Brian is brushing down the horse when Hank enters, leans on the fence.

BRIAN
Hank, I was thinkin', maybe I can work after school, too.

HANK
What for?

BRIAN
So I'd have the horse sooner. How many more hours I gotta work to pay it off?

HANK
I ain't figured it exactly.

BRIAN
I can't wait for Ma to see her.

HANK
Brian ...

BRIAN
Robert E said Sully's most likely found Ma by now, and they're on the way back.

HANK
Brian, I sold the horse.

BRIAN
What do you mean, you sold her?

HANK
There's this man that wanted her. Paid me what I asked.

BRIAN
But she's my horse. You said I could work for her.

HANK
Well, that was before I thought she'd heal up. Look, I'll pay you for what you did.

Hank reaches in his pocket, pulls out a couple of dollars. He hands the money to Brian who won't take it.

BRIAN
I don't want the money. I want the horse.

HANK
You can't have her. She's sold.

HANK
You want the money or not?

BRIAN
I want my horse.

Hank moves into the corral, grabs the reins.

BRIAN
You got no right to sell her. She's mine. We had a deal.

HANK
Deal's off. Look, there'll be other horses. This is business. You're too young to understand.

The horse pulls on the reins but Hank jerks them hard, leads the horse out of the corral. Robert E comes up behind Brian.

BRIAN
It ain't fair! It ain't fair, Hank. We had a deal,
Brian starts to cry and falls into Robert E's arms.

EXT. GENERAL STORE - DAY TEN
Loren is sweeping as Hank leads the horse past him.

BRIAN (O.C.)
We had a deal.

Loren looks back down the street.

LOREN'S POV - ROBERT E AND BRIAN
Brian is comforted by Robert E.

BACK TO SCENE
Loren looks over at the saloon.

LOREN'S POV - THE SALOON - DAY TEN
Hank hands the reins to the customer. They shake.

BACK TO LOREN
frowning at what he's seen.

CUT TO:

EXT. WOODS - DAY TEN
Sully has reached the top of the climb, looks for a sign, but no tracks to read in the rocks. He looks about. The sun is going down. Sully strips off all his unnecessary gear, down to basics, sits on the ground. He closes his eyes and tries to center himself, to listen, with every fibre of his being.

EXT. MOUNTAINS - DAY TEN
White Eye and the other Dog Soldiers stop to make camp. One of the Indians moves to Mike. She seems groggy, in pain. The Indian has a canteen, wants to offer her a drink. He loosens her gag and she surprises him by screaming with her last ounce of strength, shoving him aside and making a run for it.

MIKE
Sully!

The Indians chase her.

CUT TO:

EXT. MOUNTAIN - DAY TEN
where Sully sits with his eyes closed. He opens them. Some part of him hears her cry. He gets up quickly, grabs his gear, looks about, picks a direction, takes off running.

EXT. MOUNTAIN - DAY TEN
Two of the Dog Soldiers finally catch Mike and silence her again. White Eye pulls off her boots, throws them away.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. MOUNTAIN - DAY TEN
Sully runs along the trail, knowing he's closing in on her. He leaps over the boulders, climbing fast. He gets to a parting in the rocks, looks out, then ducks back for cover. Slowly he looks over the rocks again.

SULLY'S POV - THE DOG SOLDIERS
and in the middle of them, making their way up a switchback trail, is Mike, being pulled along on a rope. Her feet are getting bruised on the stones.

BACK TO SULLY
His eyes brimming with emotion for having found her.

SULLY (quietly)
I will never leave you again. Never.

A beat, then Sully moves out to follow them.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. GRACE'S CAFE - NIGHT TEN
Grace is serving hot soup to a line of people. Dorothy, Loren, Colleen move through the line. Grace serves Colleen.

GRACE
What about Brian?

COLLEEN
He's not hungry.

Colleen looks over to a table.

THEIR POV - BRIAN AND MATTHEW
sitting at a table. Brian looks inconsolable.

BACK TO SCENE
Grace ladles out a bowl. Loren shakes his head.

LOREN
It's terrible. Treatin' the boy like that.

GRACE
Sure is. Here, Colleen, take this soup. Boy's gotta eat. Maybe you can get him to change his mind.

LOREN
Maybe I can.

Loren hands his bowl to Dorothy and steps out of the soup line.

DOROTHY
Loren?

ANOTHER ANGLE
Loren doesn't go to Brian's table, but heads between the telegraph office and the clinic, straight for the saloon.

INT. SALOON - NIGHT TEN
Loren enters, finds Hank at the bar.

HANK
What'll you have Loren?

LOREN
I want that horse your promised Brian.

HANK
Horse is gone. I sold it.

LOREN
You had a deal with that boy.

HANK
So?

LOREN
Well, a deal's a deal and you got to honor it.

HANK
No I don't. Not with a kid.

LOREN
Especially with a kid. His whole world is upside down right now. That horse is about the only thing he's had to hang onto and it's gone.

HANK
He'll get over it (smiles). Come on Loren, I doubled my money. It's business. You'd do the same thing.

LOREN (beat; then)
Maybe you're right. (Hank nods). Oh, you know that shipment of whiskey you got comin' in?

HANK
Yeah.

LOREN
The cost just went up fifty cents a bottle.

HANK
Wait a minute.

LOREN
And that silk fabric your girls been wantin'? Just doubled in price.

HANK
You can't do this Loren.

LOREN
You'll get over it.

Hank picks up a glass, smashes it on the floor. Loren turns at the door.

HANK
Damn.

LOREN
Wouldn't be doin' that too much, Hank. Price of glass has gone up, too.

Loren exits. We HOLD on Hank.

CUT TO:

EXT. DOG SOLDIER CAMP - NIGHT TEN
A small fire burns. No teepees, just camping on the ground, on blankets. There are 15 Dog Soldiers.

ANGLE - SULLY
in the rocks, watching, His face is smeared with mud, his hair tied back. He studies the camp. He moves silently out of view, disappearing into the night.

BACK TO SCENE
Mike is sitting up against a rock, exhausted. The Indians are talking. We faintly hear a call. A night bird. Mike opens her eyes, listens again. Something she recognizes. Sully? Again the call.

EXT. WOODS - NIGHT TEN
Sully gives the call once more.

BACK TO SCENE
Mike is certain now it's Sully. She struggles to hide her feelings. She wants to cry, but stops herself. She looks about, wondering what to do. She looks at While Eye.

MIKE
I have to go (in Cheyenne) Bathroom.

White Eye says something to a Dog Soldier. He grabs Mike and leads her off into the woods.

EXT. WOODS - NEW ANGLE
White Eye leads her down to the riverside. Mike stands by the water, looking about, wondering where Sully is.

WHITE EYE (in Cheyenne)
Go on.

MIKE
Turn your back.

Mike gestures for the Indian to turn around. He doesn't but gestures for her to go ahead. Mike doesn't move. While Eye crosses to her, begins to undo her skirt ... Mike pushes him back.

MIKE
No ...

White Eye tries to kiss Mike, but she fights him. He grows angry, holds Mike away from him, rears back his fist to slug her when
SULLY
comes flying in, knocking White Eye down.

ANOTHER ANGLE
as they both tumble on the ground, spring up with knives and tomahawks drawn. White Eye could call for help, but he's confident he doesn't need it. He looks back in the direction of the camp. We can hear the voices, but he doesn't call out. He turns to face Sully. This will be just between them. They skirmish quickly. White Eye cuts Sully on the forearm. Suddenly, White Eye flips the knife over in his hand to throw it but his target isn't Sully, it's Mike. White Eye starts to throw his knife at Mike. Sully throws his tomahawk and knocks White Eye's hand away.

ANOTHER ANGLE
Sully charges White Eye, tackles him. They struggle on the ground for only a moment ... Sully turns the knife on White Eye and is about to kill him. White Eye cries out for help.

WHITE EYE
Ahhhhhhh!

Sully slugs White Eye, knocks him out.

EXT. CAMP - NIGHT TEN
One of the Dog Soldiers heard the cry. He looks off into the woods.

EXT. WOODS - NIGHT TEN
Sully grabs Mike. He kisses her deeply.

We hear one of the Dog Soldiers calling out.

DOG SOLDIER (O.C.)
White Eye! White Eye!

And then the sound of them coming closer. They carry small torches.

SULLY
Can you walk?

MIKE
Not very well.

SULLY
Then we'll have to swim.

Sully picks her up, carries her down to the water.

SULLY
Hang on to me.

Sully goes into the water. Mike moves around, holds onto his shoulders. He starts swimming out into the water. The Indians come running down through the trees, torches up, shouting for White Eye to answer them.

ANGLE - MIKE AND SULLY
moving silently through the dark water, Sully's strong arms carrying them to safety, the torches flickering in the woods in the distance behind them, Mike's face next to Sully's, tied forever by this moment as we ...

END ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:

EXT. WOODS - DAY ELEVEN
The war party moves through the woods, searching for Sully and Mike. White Eye leads the pack.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. SHALLOW CAVE - DAY ELEVEN
Mike is asleep on a bed of pine boughs. Mike awakens with a start, looks around. She has on her camisole.

MIKE
Sully?

ANGLE - SULLY
standing guard by the cave entrance, looking out over the view. Some of their clothes laying on the rocks in the sun, drying.

SULLY
I'm here.

Sully moves to her. Mike holds out her hand and Sully takes it.

SULLY
We're safe.

He kisses her hand. She touches his face. Sully looks into her eyes. There's something he wants to ask, but he can't yet.

SULLY
I found some wild berries and a honey comb while you were sleeping.

Sully sets out a packet of leaves, unwraps them to reveal a few berries and piece of honeycomb.

SULLY
It'll be dark in a couple of hours. We'll go then. We should be in Colorado Springs sometime tomorrow.

He picks up his canteen, pours water in his hands.

MIKE
I can't walk.

SULLY
I'll carry you.

Sully picks ups one of her injured feet, tenderly washes it. There's a long beat while they can't look at each other. Sully pours more water in his hands, starts to wash the other foot.

SULLY
Did they ... hurt you?

Mike looks up at him. They both know what he means.

MIKE
No.

Sully nods. Nothing more to say.

SULLY
You better try and eat somethin'.

Mike nods, but the tears are starting to fill her eyes. She reaches out, places her fingers in the honey.

CLOSER
as Mike brings her hand to her lips and tastes the honey as if she were tasting life again. A beat, then Sully enters and kisses her tenderly on the lips.

MIKE
Hold me.

WIDER
and he does, sheltering her in his arms as they wait for the night to come.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. TOWN - NIGHT ELEVEN
Lanterns light the gallows. Some Army carpenters working on a few final railings.

ANGLE - CLOUD DANCING
and the other Indians watching the preparation.

ANGLE - SOLDIERS ON THE GALLOWS
A Soldier flips the trip lever. The doors open and four sand bags snap the ropes tight.

ANGLE - REVEREND
watching this.

CUT TO:

INT. SALOON - NIGHT ELEVEN
Custer stands at the bar, having a drink, talking with Hank, Jake and Loren. Some other Army men sit at tables, having a drink.

The Reverend enters, crosses to General Custer.

REVEREND
General, may I have a word with you?

CUSTER
Certainly, Reverend. Just allow me to finish my drink and I'll meet you outside.

REVEREND
What I have to say they all can hear. I want you to call off the executions.

CUSTER
Forgive me, Reverend, but you're the man who said those Indians could burn in hell. Didn't you?

REVEREND
Yes.

CUSTER
Well ...

REVEREND
I was angry and frightened when I said that. And I was wrong. And you are wrong to punish innocent people for the crimes of others.

JAKE
Come on Reverend, they're all guilty of somethin', even if we didn't see em do it.

HANK
That's right. They're Indians.

LOREN
And the fewer we got to worry about, the better.

CUSTER
As you can see, Reverend, the public shares the same opinion as I do. So, unless Dr. Quinn is returned by noon tomorrow, the executions will go as scheduled.

HANK
Let me get you another drink, General.

The Reverend turns and exits. We hold on Custer watching them go.

CUT TO:

EXT. MOUNTAIN - DAWN - DAY TWELVE (STOCK)
the sun is just breaking the horizon. We hear a rifle shot echo in the mountains.

CUT TO:

EXT. MOUNTAIN - DAY TWELVE
Another rifle shot and a bullet slams into a rock inches from Sully and Mike. Mike and Sully take refuge in some rocks as other bullets just miss them.

ANGLE - BELOW
to see White Eye climbing up after them, leading the pack of fifteen Dog Soldiers.

BACK TO SULLY AND MIKE
They are on a ledge, looking up at ten feet of vertical rock face.

SULLY
Start climbing.

Sully picks up a large rock, throws it down the hill.

ANOTHER ANGLE
as it starts a small landslide, but the rocks only slow down the Dog Soldiers. White Eye has already moved to the side of the trail and has lost no time. He's gaining on them.

BACK TO SULLY AND MIKE
as Sully climbs, helping Mike up the wall.

EXT. TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN - DAY TWELVE
Sully pulls Mike up on the hight, flat point. They look out.

THEIR POV - RIVER BELOW
Nowhere to run. The only escape is straight down. It's a one hundred and fifty foot drop to the water.

BACK TO SCENE
as Mike and Sully look at the water.

CUT TO:

THE DOG SOLDIERS
climbing the hill now, moments away. They keep up a war cry.

BACK TO SCENE
Sully is looking around for any other way out. Mike turns to see White Eye climb up onto the flat rock behind them.

MIKE
Sully!

White Eye throws his tomahawk at Sully's back, but Sully ducks it just in time.

ANGLE - LOOKING DOWN
as the tomahawk falls into the water far below.

BACK TO SCENE
as White Eye charges for Sully. They fall down on the ledge, rolling very close to the water side. They push apart and get back on their feet.

ANOTHER ANGLE
White Eye shoves Sully back, gets the upper hand, and is about to throw Sully off the cliff side.

Sully head butts White Eye, flips him over, sending both of them falling down into the canyon ... but Sully manages to grab a rock and stop his fall.

ANGLE - DOG SOLDIERS
below who are climbing up past White Eye's broken body, laying on the rocks.

BACK TO SCENE
Mike has moved to the edge of the plateau.

MIKE
Sully!

She lays down, reaches out her hand to him. He grabs hold of her hand and pulls himself up where he can grab another rock. A bullet slams into the rock beside him. He looks down.

THEIR POV - DOWN THE HILL
to see the Dog Soldiers closing in.

ANGLE - SULLY AND MIKE
as he pulls himself up on the flat. They move to the edge overlooking the river.

SULLY
It's too far.

The shouts of the Dog Soldiers getting closer. Sully has his knife out.

MIKE
Sully, I can swim.

He looks at her, realizes she's willing to jump. He puts his knife back in the scabbard. And he picks her up ..

SULLY
I love you.

MIKE
I love you.

Sully and Mike run for the edge of the cliff.

ANOTHER ANGLE
as they hit the water, disappearing under it.

ANGLE - PLATEAU OF MOUNTAIN
as the first Dog Soldiers make it to the top, look over the side of the hill, firing their rifles into the water below.

ANGLE - RIVER
for the longest time nothing in view ... and then, suddenly, Mike and Sully surface from behind a large rock in the water, hidden from view of the Dog Soldiers above them.

SULLY
You all right?

MIKE
Yes.

Sully and Mike make their way to the shallow, start to climb out.

MIKE
Sully, look.

THEIR POV - THE WOODS - DAY TWELVE
and coming out of the woods comes Wolf, still limping.

ANOTHER ANGLE
as they move into the woods. Wolf greets them.

SULLY
Find my horse, boy. Go on.

And Wolf takes off. Sully picks up Mike and follows Wolf, disappearing into the woods as we ...

CUT TO:

EXT. MEADOW - DAY TWELVE
A crowd gathered in the meadow, waiting for the hangings to begin.

ANGLE - GALLOWS
where four Indians are lined up at the ropes. Black hoods on their heads, hands and feet tied. Cloud Dancing stands in line with the next group of four, his hands tied.

ANGLE - CUSTER
looking at his pocket watch, closes it up.

CUSTER
Reverend, you got anything to say over these prisoners, you better do it now.

ANGLE - REVEREND
Brian, Colleen and Matthew walk up.

REVEREND
I don't, but these children have something to say to you.

BRIAN
General Custer, we want you to let Cloud Dancing and his people go.

MATTHEW
We don't want you to hang anybody.

COLLEEN
That's not gonna get Ma and Sully back here any quicker.

BRIAN
But we know they're comin'.

MATTHEW
They'll be here. We just have to wait a little longer.

COLLEEN
Please.

CUSTER (a beat, then)
Sergeant?

SERGEANT
Yes Sir.

CUSTER
We'll wait five minutes.

REVEREND
You won't have to ... look.

COLLEEN
Sully!

BRIAN
He's got Ma!

THEIR POV - EUCALYPTUS ROAD
as Sully and Mike come riding double on his horse. They ride down into the meadow.

ANOTHER ANGLE
The children run to greet them. Sully pulls the horse up. Matthew helps Mike down. The children embrace her.

SULLY
Let em all go, General.

Custer looks up at the executioner holding the release lever.

ANGLE - EXECUTIONER
as he pushes the lever and the trap doors drop.

ANGLE - SULLY
SULLY
No ...

He spurs the horse, leans over and steals a saber from the Sergeant as he rides by.

ANGLE - GALLOWS
as Sully rides past, slicing the four ropes with the saber, dropping the Indians to the ground.

ANOTHER ANGLE
Sully turns the horse, rides back to Custer.

SULLY
You gave your word. Let em go.

Custer looks at his men, at the Indians.

CUSTER
Release the prisoners.

ANGLE - GALLOWS
as Cloud Dancing walks down the steps. The Reverend cuts his hands free as Mike and Sully enter.

CLOUD DANCING
I'm grateful my spirits were listening to my prayers.

REVEREND
I'm grateful mine were too.

ANGLE - INDIANS
next to the gallows being released by the soldiers. They are shaken up but not hurt.

BACK TO SCENE
SULLY
Cloud Dancing ... I am sorry, but ... Walks on Cloud ...

CLOUD DANCING
My son is dead?

MIKE
Yes.

CLOUD DANCING
Did the Army kill him?

SULLY
No. It was White Eye.

MIKE
He died saving my life so I could come back and save yours.

Sully takes the Bone necklace from his pouch, hands it to Cloud Dancing. Cloud Dancing is overcome with emotion and cay say nothing. He turns and walks away. Sully puts his arm around Mike.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. HOMESTEAD - DAY TWELVE
Mike, Sully, and the children. Birthday party in progress. Some unwrapped presents in view. Colleen and Matthew are setting up a game of pin the tail on the donkey on the side of the barn. Mike, Sully and Brian at a table they've moved outside.

MIKE
Any more cake?

BRIAN
No, thank you.

Mike looks at Sully. Brian's not too happy.

SULLY
Wanna go try out your new fishin' pole tomorrow?

BRIAN
I guess so.

Colleen moves over.

COLLEEN
Come on, Brian, you're it.

She pulls him way from the table.

ANOTHER ANGLE
Matthew ties the blindfold on Brian and starts spinning him around.

ANGLE - MIKE AND SULLY
Mike sees something.

MIKE
Sully. Look.

THEIR POV - DOWN THE ROAD
and coming up is Hank, riding a horse and leading the little horse Brian wanted.

BACK TO SCENE
as Brian stops spinning and Matthew points him to the game.

MATTHEW
Go on.

Colleen now spots Hank and gestures to Matthew to look. He does.

ANOTHER ANGLE
As Hank rides up. Brian sticks the tail in the barn. He pulls off his blindfold. He sees the horse.

BRIAN
Hey!

Brian runs up as Hank hands the reins to Matthew.

HANK (to Brian)
Here's your horse.

BRIAN
She's mine?

HANK
Deal's a deal.

Brian hugs his horse, nuzzles her.

SULLY
What changed your mind, Hank?

HANK
Sometimes it's just good business for a man to keep his word.

Hank turns and rides out.

ANOTHER ANGLE
Matthew helps Brian up on his horse. Brian unwraps a piece of taffy.

BRIAN
Here you go, girl.

The horse takes it.

MIKE
She likes candy?

BRIAN
She's got a sweet tooth.

MIKE
I guess she is your horse.

SULLY
What're you gonna call her?

BRIAN
Taffy.

We HOLD on them as we ...

END OF ACT FOUR - PART TWO

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