 Laramie, starring Raymond Burr as Captain Lee Quince, specially transcribed tales of the dark and tragic ground of the wild frontier, the saga of fighting men who roared the rim of empire, and the dramatic story of Lee Quince, Captain of Cavalry. Eighty-three men for duty, Hardy and Simmons in the hospital, five men on leave, Captain. All right, Corporal Mazum, just leave the morning report on the desk. Yes, sir. One of the three new men transferred out here from Fort Larn have been assigned a second platoon, sir. Come in. Captain Quince, the supply train is on its way in. Oh, good. Lieutenant Cybert's ascending the train on to the quartermaster depot, but he said he'd be right here. All right, thanks, Jenkins. Oh, supply train in from the railroad of Cheyenne, Captain. All stores is ordered. Anything to report, Mr. Cybert's? Cracked hub, two mules lame, one destroyed, otherwise routine, sir. Your command, have a good time in Cheyenne. I think they did. I noticed a few skin knuckles. Any complaints from the civilian authorities? No, sir. All right, Cybert's. Sign out to the quartermaster. Water and turn your stock out in the South Range. Dismiss your men. They're relieved from further duty until... What's that buggy doing in your train? Oh, I was gonna tell you about that, sir. We, uh, had a passenger, a lady. A lady? A Mrs. Wentner. She's the widow of an officer who was stationed here. I must have been Captain Wentner. Said he was killed by Cheyenne. That's right. Three, four years ago up in Lance Creek. His whole command was wiped out. That was before my time. I don't know what she's doing here. She didn't tell you? No, sir. Had some woman. I take it you enjoyed your trip then, Mr. Cybert? Not bad, sir. May I give you a hand, ma'am? Thank you. Mrs. Wentner, I'm Captain Quince. Welcome to Fort Laramie. How do you do, Captain? Are you the post commandant? No, ma'am. That would be Major Daggett. We didn't expect you, Mrs. Wentner. Perhaps your letter was delayed. There was no letter. I told no one I was coming. If we had, we might have arranged a more fit in reception and better transportation. This was quite satisfactory. I rented the horse and buggy in Cheyenne, and the lieutenant furnished me a driver. You were very considerate, Lieutenant Cybert. Thank you, Mrs. Wentner. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll get back to the train. Of course. Thank you, Lieutenant. Pleasure, ma'am. If you'll come with me, Mrs. Wentner, I'll take you in to meet Major Daggett. All right, Captain. Thank you. Take care of the horse and buggy, Jenkins. Yes, sir. Did you know my husband, Captain Quince? Why, yes. Out here? That's right. I don't remember him mentioning you in his letters, but it seems to me there was a Quince in his class at West Point. I wasn't at the point, Mrs. Wentner. I was commissioned in the field of Shenandoah. Up from the ranks. Oh, I see. Here we are. Come in. Oh, Major Daggett, this is Mrs. Wentner. Just came in with a supply train. Oh, this is a pleasure, Mrs. Wentner. That's right, Major. I'm Philip Wentner's widow. Oh, yes. Won't you sit down? Thank you. I didn't know your husband myself, Mrs. Wentner, but I've been assured that his death was a great loss to the army. Even more tragic for yourself, of course. It was a horrible thing. And even worse, a terrible, unnecessary thing. He could have been safe in Washington. I arranged it all with the President himself. I see. I could never understand why Philip refused it, but he was a stubborn man. Oh, he was very popular here, I understand. Isn't that right, Captain Quince? He was a good field officer, Mrs. Wentner. Perhaps he... he wouldn't have been happy at some desk in Washington. It might have been better for him to be a little unhappy and alive today, mightn't it, Captain? That's hard to say, ma'am. Well, at any rate, we're happy to have you here, Mrs. Wentner. Sorry we weren't prepared, but I'm sure Mrs. Daggett will be able to arrange things comfortably. You'll stay with my wife and me, of course. Thank you, Major. And perhaps we can use your visit as an excuse to liven things up around here. We've had very few social activities. Might even arrange a reception or something of the sort. Major Daggett, I'm not here for social reasons. Well, what I meant was... Major Daggett, I came to get my husband's body. Mrs. Wentner, your husband's not buried here at the fort. I know that. But you see, I want him recovered and taken back east. I've arranged that he will be buried with full military honors in Arlington Cemetery. But his grave is a hundred miles from here, up on Lance Creek where he was killed. I've already come two thousand miles. Another hundred doesn't matter. I don't think you understand. That's Indian territory. Cheyenne and Sue, hunting ground, treaty territory. Aside from the very real danger, my orders strictly forbid any white person to enter that region, including my own troopers. Perhaps this letter will clear your mind. You will see it signed by the Secretary of War himself. Yes, I see. So, Major Daggett, I shall want to leave for Lance Creek as soon as possible. And you expect me to send you there with a troop escort, of course? The letter says every assistance possible. It also says within the scope of my orders and with due consideration for your safety. I'm not worried about my safety, Major Daggett. But I am. But in a case like this... There are no exceptions mentioned, Mrs. Wentner. What do I care about a treaty with those savages who murdered my husband? The treaty was made, ma'am, to prevent other men from dying the way your husband did. Captain Quince, I'm beginning to understand why these Indian troubles go on and on. I've wondered about that. Wounded why you didn't just wipe them out. I think you're afraid of them. It's not that easy. The Indians are people, too. They have rights. I'm not interested in their rights, Captain Quince. And I'm not interested in your orders, Major Daggett. Am I to understand that you refuse to allow me to go to Lance Creek? That's correct. I can't risk your life nor the lives of my men. And I won't risk a general Indian war. Very well. Captain Quince, would you be good enough to show me to my quarters? Of course, ma'am. The parade ground, the drilling. Yes, it is, Mrs. Wentner. Until you remember that in spite of all the military show, you're still afraid to face the Indians. Have you completed your tour of inspection? Yes. Lieutenant Cybritz has shown me everything, I think. It's all very interesting. Seeing the place that Phillip called home... is one thing I'd like explained, however. What's that, ma'am? What could possibly have held him here? What holds you, Captain Quince? I'm afraid I can't explain it to you, Mrs. Wentner. I'm sure you couldn't. May I escort you to your quarters? Thank you. I've noticed several men dressed in buckskins lounging about the store, the... subtlers, you call it. Who are they? Civilian Scouts. Mrs. Charlie Reynolds. Will Grandby. Pete Hazen. It was one of them, wasn't it, who found my husband up on Lance Creek? Yes, ma'am. Pete Hazen. He led the burial detail back. I must talk to him sometime. He's under the major's orders, too, ma'am. I meant Captain Quince. He might be able to tell me things about my husband. Things a wife would like to know. Of course, ma'am. You don't like me, do you, Captain? I... don't know you well enough to like or dislike you, Mrs. Wentner. But it seems plain to me that you intend to disregard every consideration to get to Lance Creek. If you'll excuse me. Captain Quince reporting, sir. Hello, Lee. I've just been thinking. Call Wells due for a leave. Who can we send out to the Clearwater Patrol as replacement? Is Cybert's too green? No, no, he'll do. He's come along fast. All right, good. Major. Major, what about Mrs. Wentner? Well, what about her? I think she's gonna make trouble. I don't think she can. I've kept a check of the telegraph office and the mail. I think she's accepting the inevitable. I don't. I think she's determined to go to Lance Creek one way or another. How can she if I won't let her? I don't know. But I think you'd better warn the civilian scouts, especially Pete Hazen. He wouldn't be that much of a fool. I wouldn't think so either. But with her, anything can happen. Believe that. She's quite a woman. Oh, by the way, the evening social's all set up for Saturday night. Nettie's sending out the invitations today. Having a small dinner first. Hey, you're supposed to come. Huh? Has Mrs. Wentner's escort. Why me? You're an inmate of old Bedlam. You're eligible. There are other bachelor officers living there. Cybers. Youngsters. She's more your age. I don't fight at lead. Nettie's mind's made up. Only one thing I don't like about your wife, major. She's a matchmaker. I know. She can't help herself. Hates to see an unmarried officer, especially one as old as you. And after all, Mrs. Wentner is a widow and mighty attractive. You could do worse. Major. Some women are army. Some aren't. When Phil Wentner came out to Laramie, he came alone. She seems to fit in fine. Now, maybe she's changed. Women like that don't change. Just the same you'll escort her Saturday night. You better present your compliments to her tomorrow afternoon. That notice, sir? Tomorrow afternoon, Leigh. White gloves. Captain Quince. Afternoon, Mrs. Daggett. I'd, uh... like to present my compliments to Mrs. Wentner. Why, yes, of course, Captain. Only, well... What is it, Mrs. Daggett? Well, it's very strange. But last night, Caroline asked not to be disturbed this morning. Said she wanted a sleep late. But when she didn't come out, even for luncheon, I got worried. So a few minutes ago, I knocked and looked in her room. She's not there, Captain. She didn't sleep in her bed last night. Captain, where you going? To the settlers, Ms. Daggett. You better tell the Major. What do you make of it? It's very simple, Major. Mrs. Wentner was last seen last night. Pete Hazen left some time before dawn with two loaded packed mules, two horses, one rigged side saddle. He left this at the settlers for you. With a $20 gold piece. I guess it's his resignation. Didn't want to get arrested for disobeying orders. You're right. They're on their way to Lance Creek. They've got at least 11 hours' start. They've got to be stopped. Yeah, if they're still alive. How long will it take you to get B Company ready? Too long. Besides a full company up there will mean war. You think you can get a small detachment through, five or six men? I can try. And if we're caught, we might be able to talk our way out of it. Very fast. I'd say I could catch them about halfway. All right, Lee, take the men you want and an extra amount for each. Rations for four days and 200 rounds of ammunition. 50 rounds will be enough, Major. We have to fight it all. It won't matter how much ammunition we have. The law said tracks, Captain. There. There. Over there, of course. Oh, yeah, that's it. I'd never believed it, Captain. Two days from the fort almost to Lance Creek and they're still ahead of us. They underestimated that woman. She's tougher than I thought. She sure must be. Captain. Yeah, and they've seen us. They've stopped. Oh, Ms. Wentner. How do you do, Captain? She gave me an awful lot of money, Captain. Morning, I'd never seen them one piece. Yeah, that's what I figured. You're not going to stop me now, Captain. Mr. Hazen says the graves are just over that ridge there. Ms. Wentner, we're going to turn around right here and head back to the fort as fast as we can make it. Do you have any idea of the danger? Up there on the hill. Yeah, I see. Right in the circle. Signaling. Well, that's an Indian. It is, Ms. Wentner. Oh. Captain, what are you going to do? Might as well go on up to Lance Creek. Do what the lady came to do. This is it. Right over there. This one. Just this? That's it. You're sure? Is the signal be inside the rocks? It's so quiet here. It's so peaceful. Right now it is. Get a spade, Jenkins. Yes, sir. Ms. Wentner, you sure you want to go through with this? What do you mean, Captain? Right. It wasn't time for a proper burial. I see. Did they do anything to him? Cheyenne always do. You may proceed. All right, Jenkins. Ms. Wentner, why don't you wait over there? Captain Quint, I'm not a schoolgirl. I came this far. I can stand to watch. All right. Pete. Pete, who is this? That there was Sergeant Tackerbury, Captain. One with a red mustache, Captain. And a laugh you could hear clean across the river. Yeah, I remember. That one there was Lieutenant Williams. Captain, is that the Lieutenant Williams my husband used to speak about in his letters? I expect so. They were friends. All these men were his friends. Men who lived with him, fought with him, died with him. He wasn't alone as Wentner. They're all buried here where they fell. I see. Mr. Jenkins. Ma'am. Stop digging for a moment. Captain, you don't want me to do this. Why? I... I don't think your husband would care about being buried in Arlington Cemetery. Why? Tell me, Captain Quince. You knew him. What was he like out here? Like any other man, not very different. He liked it. Like the country, the men. Like the job. He was willing to die here, if necessary. Are you trying to say that he came here to get away? That he didn't want to go back home? That he didn't care about me? He never talked about you, Ms. Wentner. Captain, all I want to do is take him back... back to a hero's grave. He's in a hero's grave. Nothing you or I can do will add to that. You think I'm a selfish woman. I was thinking only of myself, of my pride. Only you can answer that, Ms. Wentner. On the ridge, Captain. They didn't waste any time. Must have been a hunting party close. They're coming down. Must be 30, at least. Doesn't give us much chance, Captain. It's important to keep calm, Ms. Wentner. Very important right now. What have I done? Bringing you men here to this? We may be able to get out of it yet. Talbot, keep those horses under control. They get a whiff of those Indian ponies. Ms. Wentner, what are you doing? I want his grave just the way it was. Jenkins, help her. Yes, sir. Sergeant Gorse. Yes, sir. Watch her. Stay right behind her. If the Indians attack you, you know what to do. Yes, sir. Don't miss. I won't. What do you think, Hazen? Can't tell yet. There's still bunch. They ain't hurrying. But they ain't gonna be friendly. No, we're uninvited guests. Can't expect much. They're down and stringing out and stopping. Right across the only way out. Well, they won't come any closer to the graves. Shy and custom, respect for the dead. Even the dead, they killed. We're safe as long as we stay right here. How long can we stay, peaked? Captain, we might try cutting up over the ridge. The minute we break and run, we're finished. I'll go out to them. Might as well all go, Captain. There'll be no defending ourselves anyway. All right. Miss Wentner. Looks all right now, doesn't it, Captain? Yes, it does. Well, ma'am? Don't worry, I'll be fine. Good. Now, everybody will move slowly forward, leading your horses move easily. Don't show any fear or excitement. It's little, Bear, Captain. At least he can talk some. Won't have to use sign. That's right, Captain. I'll do the talking, Hazen. Sure. Greetings to little Bear. White soldier, give promise. Stay off Shy Ann hunting ground. Why you come? We come in peace, not war. We don't want trouble with the Shy Ann. They don't want trouble with us. Treaties say you stay out. I know that. I made them come. The white lady came to find the grave of her husband. A warrior killed in battle here. She wants to take his body back to his home, to Washington. What warrior? The little Captain. The Captain with the yellow hair. That one great warrior. Captain, these are the Indians. That's right, ma'am. Little Bear. The Shy Ann had great warriors killed here, too. But the Shy Ann could take their dead away to their proper burial place. Will little Bear allow us to take this warrior with us and leave the hunting ground in peace? Better leave spirit of dead in peace. In Washington, there is a place to bury great warriors with much honor. She will take him there. Better leave dead buried. All right, Captain. We'll leave him. He's right. I know that now. Phillip is better off here and his hero is grave. All right, ma'am. Will little bear allow us to leave the hunting grounds in peace? Go. Thank you, little bear. All right. Everybody mount up. Easy. We'll move out now before he changes his mind. Sergeant Kors, how does it look behind? They're turning away. I figure it's all right. And we'll keep the horses at walk just the same for a while. Yes, sir. Captain, thank you. What for, Mrs. Wendner? It was probably your presence that saved us and what you said. Well, I mean, for teaching me a lesson. Not me, Mrs. Wendner. Let's say this country out here. It can teach you a lot of lessons. Maybe... Maybe I was wrong about something, too. What? Oh, just something I said about people not changing. Just... Just something I said. You know, we keep moving. We might be able to make the Daggett Social Saturday night. Detention! We'll all be with you again