Fort Laramie: Squaw Man

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 rode the Rim

of Empire, and the dramatic story of Lee Quince, Captain of Cavalry. Looks like everybody ready to pull out, Captain. Yeah. Walk back with me, Sergeant. I never did see such a mangy collection of stock.

It's not a cavalry outfit, Gorse. It's sure ain't. Most of these wagon trains headin' west get through. One way or another, but I sure don't know how. I talked with Mr. Brown a couple of times.

He seems like a good man. He is. But I wonder how much luck a Missouri farmer is going to have taken a couple hundred women and children through Indian country. He'll make out, Captain. I hope so.

Hello, Sergeant Gorse. I beg your pardon, Miss. I was afraid we'd leave without seeing you again. Oh, well I... And I wanted to thank you... for last night. Yeah, sure, Miss. Goodbye, Sergeant. And thank you.

Still water runs deep, Gorse. How's that, Captain? Never mind. All I did was give her a little old knife. I bought it at the Sutler's. Never mind. It's all it was, Captain. I just give her a little old present.

Sure, Sergeant. I keep them wagons in line and do a brush to win the river. Your lake getting started Mr. Brown. Oh, hello Captain Quince. Only about an hour. A waste in daylight. Yeah, we're pulling out now Captain.

Any of your men going to ride along with us? No, but you won't have any trouble. I like to say Captain. Or are you going to bust? You guarantee no trouble Captain? Now here we don't guarantee anything Mr. Brown.

But you should at least get through to solve lake without trouble. Yeah, I hope you're right. It's mighty lonely out there once you're out of sight of the fort. Yeah, I know. Well, thank the Major for his hospitality, will you?

No thanks, necessary. Oh, good luck. Thanks. See you at Oregon, sometime, Captain. Alright, trick out! Well, Gores, what are you staring at? Oh, nothing, Captain.

Just a train, hidden out. You've seen a few hundred of them before, Sergeant. Yes, sir. What's her name? Who? The girl. Emily? Emily McCutcher. Going to Oregon with her paw. She was put up real good.

You're all cavalry, Gorse. Yes, sir. Long way to Oregon. I hope they make it. So do I. Yeah, come on. I missed coffee this morning. Let's find some. One and let's find some. There's a rider coming in.

Yeah. Looks like a white man, dressing bucksky. Hunter, maybe. It's Will Granby. He's a squall man, eh? Yeah, lives with the Arapaho. Captain, how are you, horse? Caw-le-boo. Ah, it's good to see you. You haven't been in in two or three years.

Oop. You come for supplies. Come to Pali. You got a proposition. Huh? All right, come on in, Will. You're bludged. Sergeant Gorse, would you have Mr. Granby's horse tabled? Yes, sir. Come on, come on.

See that on, Will. You're bludged? All right, now what is it? What's your proposition? I think it may be to hire out to you. You want a job? Cavalry always needs scouts. Maybe. You saying you want the job?

Why not? I know this country better than the hares of my head. Better than any man, except old Gabe Bridger. There's some few places I've been even gaving. Yeah, mountain man will. You live wild and free all your life.

Why do you want to tie yourself down now? Yeah, think like the old times in the war, Captain. Ain't pleasurable now, it's hard. Maybe it's the doing you cavalry fellas or maybe it's our own fault.

Maybe we're trapped too much. Took too much buffalo, I don't know. But I got the young skull. Pretty sure you ever seen. I figured if ours to work, her and me eat regular at least.

Right now we have peace. We don't need any more scouts. I'll figure you do, Captain. Tell me, Will. Am I hard? I haven't got the authority to hire you. They don't have to come from the major.

No, I don't. Rather deal with you. I know you. I can't hire you, but if you've got information, I'll make your promise. Least I'll feed you and send you back with me. Yeah, the meat I could carry wouldn't last long.

And we'll go see the major. No, wait. I'd rather tell you, but you've got to promise me one thing. What's that? That it'll be a settled peaceful. They're my people. Well, I'll do all I can.

All right. There's going to be trouble. tribes are getting restless, all of them. They wrap a hole, you and the government promised them if they'd go to the agencies that get food, meat. And that promise ain't been kept.

I know. Supply chain comes through now and then, but it's not enough I know that. They wrap a hole or a stardom cap and eat and bark, roots. Game on agencies played out. If they can't get food from the government or from the land, and they got to go looking for it wherever they can.

We got to eat. We'll have they left the agency or camped at Silver Spring. That's on the Oregon Trail. They got to eat captain. They went looking for buffalo, but they ain't no buffalo. So they'll get food where they can from the wagon trains.

Well, we've got to talk to the major. You promised. I said I'd do all I could and I will. Not much time for talking. There's a wagon train headed for Silver Springs right now. Yeah, I know, I saw it.

All right, come on, we'll see the major. How do we know this man's telling the truth? I've known him for a long time, Major. He doesn't lie. Could be a trap. If it is a trap, then there's trouble for sure.

I don't trust a man lives with Indians, Marriesham. No, no, look here. Major, there's a wagon train on the trail to Silver Springs right now. They got to be warned. I can still ride out with the detachment to turn him back.

Captain Quince, our orders are to keep the trail open to Oregon and to keep the Indians on the agencies. If anything, we'll send a company to escort the train through and run those Arapaho back where they belong.

Couldn't do that without fighting, Major. That's one of the functions of the cavalry. In this case, there's no cause for it. The Arapaho have broken their treaty, Captain. The way they see it, we're the ones who broke the treaty by not keeping our promise about food.

All I know is they're off the agency and they'll have to go back. If we go out and force, there's bound to be trouble. If I take a small detachment, maybe I can talk to him.

This is a hostile action, Captain. It's got to be met as such. Major, the Arapaho are starving. They got to eat. Mr. Granby, I'm sorry that they're starving, but I can't do anything about it.

At least not until the supplies come through to me. My autos are to keep the Arapaho on the agency, and I can't do something about that. Those are people out there, Major, and they're hungry. They only want food.

Captain Quince, you'll take company B and escort the wagon train until you meet the Arapaho. You'll send the wagon train on and escort the Indians to the agency, and use whatever measures are necessary. That's all, Captain.

Yes, sir. One thing, sir. What is it? Have I your permission to hire Will Granby as a scout? I don't see why it's necessary, but if you want him, take him. Thank you, sir. What kind of a man is that?

He's all right, Will. He's an officer. He's got his orders. He goes by the book. He understands the situation all right, but he can't admit it. Listen, can you be ready to move out in an hour?

I can't ride with you, Captain or my people. I said I'd do what I could. I need your help. Ride with me. You know what you're asking? You know what it might mean for me if there's trouble?

There won't be trouble if I can prevent it. I'm afraid you can't, Captain. But I'll go with you. We should see him just over this hill, Captain. Every rabbit hole didn't see him first. You figured they'd attack?

I don't know, Sergeant, but I'll feel easier when we spot that wagon train. I was right, Captain. There they are. All right, Sergeant. Let's ride out. Company! At the car! Captain would have known we were here.

What's the matter, Captain? I want you to stop here, Mr. Brown, for the night. Oh, why?

We figured the camp at Silver Springs. It's just over to pass there, not more than two or three miles. We can make it easy before dark. This'll make an all right campus, water, and wood.

If there's trouble, Captain, I want to know. It may be nothing, Mr. Brown, but I want to find out. You can't here and stay here till I give you the word to go on. It's Indian, ain't it? There is trouble.

Maybe. Maybe not. But there's no use worrying all your folks. You'll be safe here. I'm leaving most of my men to guard you. Well, why can't you escort us over the past to Silver Spring?

Because if there were to be trouble, it would happen there in the past. With the wagon trains all strung out and hard to defend. Eh, alright, Captain. Whatever you say. I'll come back or send word back to Lieutenant Sybrits as soon as I know it's safe for you to cross.

Sergeant Gorse! Yes sir! You and two men will accompany Mr. Granby and myself. Pick him and fall out. Mr. Brown, Lieutenant Sybrits is in charge here till I get back. I don't see a dog on think, Captain.

I'll keep a shot by. Move the troopers further out the flank. Yes sir! You need to hear somewhere so I can feel it. They must have seen the train will. Yeah they have, but they also saw the soldiers.

Might be making tracks already. They disappear pretty fast. I don't think they've had that much time. They'll probably stand for a fight. And Captain, what do you gonna do? Well, a few miles back, did you?

You notice anything? On the trail? Sure, buffalo sign. Right. The first I've seen this close to Laramie in a year. Mm-hmm, big herd too. Across the trail going south. It'd make a lot of a rapperhole meat.

Yeah, it might work. Worth a try. Wait. You see anything, Will? Yeah. One of the scouts. Leave it to me. And you're not enough. You're not enough. How are you? No, not enough. Well, alright.

He'll take a scene. This is the first Indian village I've ever been in and it wasn't full of barking dogs. They had to eat him.

You notice how he is, Captain? Yeah, I see. I'd say they're not very happy to see us. I'm sorry, Will. To turn him against you. That'd be helped. This is it. Hi, Daddy, too. Why do you bring white soldiers to fight your people?

They don't come to fight, Greyfeather. This Captain Quinn, she comes as a friend. White soldier is not a friend of our upper home. White soldiers break promise. They do not give meat. I think I can get you meat, Greyfeather.

I think I can take your hunters to Buffalo. A big herd. You think? You do not know. Arapaho have ride from agency in North Hunt Buffalo all through White Valley, North Buffalo. Great feather. On my way here from Fort Laramie, I saw a much buffalo sign.

You hunted only the North side of the river. You haven't been south of the Platte, I have. There are buffalo there. take many days. Wagon Train is here now. If you attack that wagon train, it'll mean much fighting. Many dead among the Arapaho. Great morning among the Arapaho. There will be morning for the white soldiers too. The army will keep on sending soldiers rifles until the Arapaho

is no more. You know I speak the truth. My people are hungry. Then ride back towards the fort with me. I'll show you Buffalo sign and you can track from there. Take many days. It's the only way you can be sure to find Buffalo and food. If you find Buffalo in two days, pray feather does not attack wagon trade. Two days isn't very long. Two days.

If we do find Buffalo, I want your promise to go peacefully back to the agency. If you find. Alright, your hunters will come with me. But meantime, you must let the wagon train go through in peace.

This one may be not next one. It is agreed then, Greyfeather. Aye, not. Captain, two days ain't very long. We gotta be awful lucky. We don't have much choice. You know what'll happen if we don't find buffalo and And we just the five of us out there with the gray feathers hunters like I say we don't have much choice

We got a guess where the buffalo will be They don't have time to backtrack them Sergeant go us. Yes, sir. I'm sending you back to the wagon train with a message for mr. Cyberts Private Jenkins horses fresher captain I'm being on no buffalo hunting a long time Alright, Sergeant.

Jenkins! Jenkins, you'll go back to the wagon train, tell Mr. Sybrits to escort the train past Silver Springs, then return here in Bevwack. If I should not return, he's to get clear if he can and report to the fort for reinforcements.

Move out. Well, we got 48 hours, Will. Let's find those buffalo. You see anything, Will? Nothing, Captain.

I don't know, Chard. But, this way either. You can see a long way. I don't like to look at them back there. They're very feather getting anxious. I know. I just don't understand it will is not a sign.

I've been thinking Captain, we're too far south. Buffalo headed south. Maybe not as fast as far as we thought. Maybe they veered east. No, I've been thinking. It's been hot and dryer for these last few days.

No wind. Buffalo don't travel much in the heat. They just stand and graze and suffer with thirst. But there's wind now. Well, something southwest. Well, if there's up north of here, bring them to smell of water from the Laramie River.

Yeah. Yeah, we're ever still high. Yeah, and they'd probably be craving for water about now and it stick their noses into the wind and make a run for it like they do. You might be right, Will.

So if we cut back northeast of the Laramie, we'll find them. They might be there. There's only one trouble. Look who's coming. Captain, it is as great as I spoke. You promised Buffalo two days.

Now two days are gone. There is no Buffalo. Your promise is like all promises of white soldier. We've been looking a long time, Greyfeather, but now we know where the Buffalo are. Captain, give much talk. We want Buffalo, not talk.

Greyfeather. My soldiers are at Silver Springs. If we do not return there, It will mean war for the Arapaho. Maybe you return. But he not. It is not yet evening of the second day. That is little time.

Maybe. But enough. We're going to the waters of the Laramie and find your buffalo. On his next rise we ought to be able to see. And right will. What if they ain't there Captain? If not, maybe we can get to the river, find some cover, so stay close, watch for my signal.

Yes sir. You uh, you should have gone back to that wagon train, Sergeant. I guess I ain't much of a garrison soldier. Alright, look shot! Captain, ain't at the river.

There's nothing. Wait, look there. Coming over the hill to be on, running for the river. Look at him. Thousands of noses in the wind and running belly bent for breakfast. There go your buffalo gray feather, all you can eat.

Well, go on, get him. He sure was mighty hungry, Captain. Yeah, well, I guess I look healed. I guess I did. Yeah, let's ride on down to the river. I could do with a drink.

Dang it, Gors! Just miss the company. Yes, sir.

Ready? Prepare to dismount! Oh, you're back. Yes, sir. Do you have any trouble? No sir. No casualties. Either side. You took long enough. The Oregon Trail is still open, Major.

The Erapaho were back in the agency. What took the time? Why, uh... Why, we... We found some buffalo. Stopped the hunt. The Indians took enough meat back to the agency to keep them quiet all summer.

I see. Well, that was fortunate. It was mostly Will Granby's doing. He found the buffalo. Oh, well. Maybe I was wrong about him, Lee. Maybe he can be useful to us. I think he can.

I brought him back with us. His wife, too. You uh, you like to meet her? An Arapaho? She's sure not St. Louis. Yeah, all right, Captain. Grampy, howdy, Major.

This is Will's wife, Major. Lark woman, howdy, do you? Yeah, lawyer. Uh, Mr. Grampy. Yeah, sir. If she's to stay around the post, she'll uh, she'll have to wear something more than that. Oh, yeah. She's got a shirt somewhere in the baggies. She, a rapper, whole woman, aren't like Cheyenne or the Sue or Crow. They don't wear much, except when it's right cold.

There are a lot of men in the post-will. Oh, yes, sir, Captain. I'll see you to it. Oh, and Mr. Grampy. Yes, sir. My compliments on your work with Captain Quince. As of now, you may consider yourself on the Army payroll as Scout. It'll be in tomorrow's Special Order.

Yes, sir. The quartermaster will house you. Right, Major. Come on, child. She's kind of pretty, isn't she, Lee? Yeah. They make pretty good wives, too. Clean, quiet, hardworking. Nice people. You wouldn't be trying to soften me up, would you, Lee?

Wind me over to your way of thinking. I figure a man's got to make up his own mind about things, Major. Captain Quince, is he? Don't get too smart. Just be thankful I don't ask how you happened to run at a buffalo and turn a serious police duty into a pleasure trip.

Hunting. My strikers cooking up some buffalo steaks made you dang it. You uh, like to come over to my quarters and try some. Heh heh heh. Sure, let's go. Fort Laramie is produced and directed by Norma McDonald and stars Raymond Burr as Lee Quince, Captain of Cavalry with Vic Perron as Sergeant Gorse.

The script was specially written for Fort Laramie by John Dunkel with Sound Patterns by Bill James and Ray Kemper, musical supervision by Amarego Moreno, featured in the cast where Jack Moyles, Ralph Moody, Edgar barrier, Frank Katie, and Eleanor Tennon.

Company tension! Dismiss! Next week, another transcribed story of the Northwest Frontier and the troopers who fought under Lee Quince, captain of cavalry. For more money, life would be simple indeed. We could enter them in books in nice, regular columns, one for credit, another for loss,

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