Jonathan Cartland

[3:1] Helena, September 22nd 1854.Trapper Jonathan Cartland is heading out into the wilderness for a few months, and has ridden into town to stock up on supplies and ammunition.
[3:3] Shopkeeper: Jonathan. I thought the wolves had you for lunch long ago.
Cartland: And you’re not hanging from the gibbet yet you old rogue.
[3:4] Shopkeeper: You’re off on another trip?
Cartland: I’ve had enough of the town. I need fresh mountain air.
[3:5] Bacon, flour… Is that all? That’ll cost you a few beaver pelts.
[3:6] Cartland: You’ll only get them if your bacon doesn’t poison me.
Shopkeeper: Don’t freeze to death out there.

[4:1] Cartland: I’ll need her tomorrow at sunrise.
Boy: Yes mister.
[4:2] Boy: Don’t worry mister, I’ll look after her real good.
Cartland: Okay, see you tomorrow morning kid.
[5:7] My medicine isn’t meant for dogs.

[6:1] A little later in the saloon.
Waiter: anything to eat?
Cartland: Yes, a steak. And a beer.
[6:4] That’s Two-Guns.
[6:5] Waiter: The redskin sliced up a gold miner. Now he’s going to be hung.
Cartland: A Oglala that kills for gold? Strange.
[6:6] I was at the trial this morning. It was clear cut.
[6:7] Although I said it must have been a Crow.

[7:1] The next morning.
[7:4] I promise I’ll avenge you brother.
[7:5] Cartland followed the Madison river and took the Big Belt mountain trail.
[7:6] It was nearly autumn, and the trapper was still on the trail of the Crow Indians.
[7:7] One night.
Cartland: Here we go.
[7:8] What…

[9:1] Eventually winter arrived.
[9:2]The snow’s covered their tracks, but the only way is through the beaver valley.
[9:3] Every day the snow lay deeper.
Cartland: Come on Lilibelle.
[9:5] When a trapper plans a long hunt, he regularly stows his supplies to
reduce the weight. At the end of the hunt he can retrieve them. The stash must be well chosen because the unscrupulous hunt them down and live off them.

[10:1] Behind Jon two Indians crossed the frozen lake.
[10:4] It had been days since Black Turtle and Lazy Dog last ate.
[10:5] They could hardly move, and added to that there was the ice water.
[10:6] They waited honourably for death.

[11:1] Are my friends the Oglala yearning forthe heavenly hunting grounds?
[11:2] Lazy Dog: We owe you our lives yellow hair.
Cartland: Not yet. You’ll need them.
[11:3] Black Turtle: Are you also following the Crow?
[11:4] I saw Two Guns hanging.He was innocent, and I won’t rest until he’s been avenged.
[11:5] A few days later, after the Indians had regained their strength, Jon started looking for the Crow fort.

[12:1] Behind. A wounded stag.
[12:3] Lazy Dog: That’s a Crow arrow.
Cartland: Then they must be nearby.

[13:5] On that night the snow was as red as the sky.
Lazy Dog: He’ll survive.

[14:1] By the next moon Black Turtle will be hunting again.
[14:2] A Crow was carrying the yellow metal. The palefaces greed for gold possessed him. And Two Guns died for that.
[14:4] Morning.
Black Turtle: But I can ride.
Cartland: Certainly not. Better to sleep.
[14:5] Forwards
[14:6] The three men began the laborious trail through the glistening snow to the Crow winter camp.

[15:1] At the same time in in fort hope, the last white outpost before Indian country..
Present Arms!
Good trip to Washington Colonel.
[15:3] Captain: At last my hands are free. So Jack, have you thought it over?
Jack: I wanted to talk with you.
[15:4] Captain: My proposition interests you?
Jack: I can’t refuse all that good land.
[15:5] But what do you gain from all this?
[15:6] Listen well Jack. You know money means nothing to me.I want to open up the Indian territories to civilisation. I want to be the man who clears the land of stinking redskins.

[16:1] Captain: But time presses on. Are your men reliable?
Jack: Of course. First we’ll work on the Sioux with gutrot that Rufus brews. When they drink, they become warlike.
[16:2] That won’t be so easy. Running Bear, the Oglala Sioux Chief is already wary.
[16:3] Jack: Don’t worry. My people will see to him. In two weeks at most these feathered devils will be so far that they’ll stumble on our settlers.
Captain: Of course, there’ll be a few fatalities, but we’ll have a grisly revenge.Ha, ha. To our success.
[16:4]
To our success Captain. To your glory, and my money.

Two days later Jon and his companions reach the Oglala Sioux camp.
[17:1] Jon: Now they’ll celebrate your return.
Black Turtle: Yes, with your venison.
[17:2] What’s happening?
[17:3] Black Turtle: Someone’s died.
Lazy Dog: But who?
[17:4] It’s in Many Moons’ teepee.

[18:1] On the ground in Many Moons’ teepee lie the bodies of his sons Kills Instead and Last Star.
[18:2] After the mourning
Cartland: How did this happen?
Medicine Man: At the half moon two men came here.
[18:3] Medicine Man: Two white men, fake, and as mean as snakes.
Trader: It’s not for little girls.
Last Star; The white man talks too much. How much do you want?
[18:4] Medicine Man: They sold the young warriors firewater.
Last Star: Give me some.
[18:5] Last Star: I’ll show you which of us the stronger.

[19:1] Medicine Man: We’re going to call a council this evening.
Cartland: Can I come along?
[19:2] Let our father Wakantanka fill us with wisdom.
[19:3] Chief: We will decide how to punish those responsible for the death of Many Moons’ sons.
Medicine Man: We should consider this. Two of our warriors are dead and the white man is to blame.
[19:4] Lazy Dog: You talk like a squaw. We must kill the murderers bethey white men or Indians.
Medicine Man: Lazy Dog should stay silent.
[19:5] Lazy Dog: The winters have turned you into a child. I will avenge Many Moons alone.
Medicine Man: Lazy Dog speaks without wisdom. He is angry because we did not celebrate his return.

[20:1] How dare you say that old man!
[20:2] Among the Indians it’s a source of shame to show one’s anger.
Cartland: Stay and listen to me Lazy Dog.
[20:3] Cartland: I’ve got a suggestion
Medicine Man: Talk.
[20:4] If you kill the traders you’ll provide the whites with an excuse for war.
[20:5] I could ride to Fort Hope and talk with the Colonel. The army has strong punishments for anyone selling alcohol to Indians.
[20:6] The Colonel is an honourable man. Brother Jon will set off in two days. I have spoken.
[20:7] So it passed.

[21:1] Fort Hope, three days later.
Cartland: I’d like to see the Colonel.
Soldier: He’s in Washington, but the Captain’s standing in.
[21:2] CArtland: I have to talk with you.
Captain: Make it quick.
[21:3] A little later.
Cartland: So I’d ask you to pick up these rogues.
Captain: Why should I? Am I the savages nursemaid?
[21:4] Jumping Jehosophat. It’s your duty.
[21:5] Captain: I don’t need to be lectured on my duty by a wandering trapper. Out! Get lost!
Cartland: You…
Captain: Out, Indian friend.
Cartland: But…
Captain: I’ll have you locked up! Out!
[21:6] Holy goat. What a shithead.

[22:2] Morning
[22:3] Cartland: I heard you serve hot coffee.
Bill It’s possible.
Ben: Why don’t you have a whisky?
[22:4] Cartland: No whisky. It smells to me like corruption.
Jack: Yeah? Bill, a coffee for the gentleman.
[22:5] Bill: Here comes Louis.
Andy: Yeah, Louis the half blood.
Rufus: Shhh. Watch closely.

[23:2] Rufus: Oh, sorry.
Bill: How clumsy Rufus.
Andy: The scout should keep his eyes open.
[23:3] This bastard’s more stupid than a real redskin.
[23:4] Stop it.
[23:5] Sorry, I can’t stand by in the face such meanness.
[23:6] Man 1: I’ll…
Jack: Enough. Rufus was to blame.
Bill: Indian friend.
[23:7] So long boys.

[24:1] At night.
[24:2] We have to finish off these damn redskins.
[24:3] Listen, send two of your men out again…
[24:4] Captain: ...but this time they’ve got to stir the savages into a rage.
Cartland: Holy Goat!
[24:5] Captain: It must all have taken place before the Colonel comes back.
Jack: I’ll see to it. Running Bear and his young hotheads will get their white scalps before the end of the week. Next we’ll haveto deal with this trapper.

[25:2] Jack: He’s stuck his nose where it doesn’t belong.
Captain: I’ll deal with the trapper.
[25:3] Well, well, the Indian’s friend.
[25:4] Rufus: Why are you sneaking around here?
Captain: Good God! Guards!
[25:5] Captain: Throw him in jail.
Cartland: Bunch of cowards.
Soldier: Quick. And no tricks.

[26:1] He should be strung up.
[26:2] The vultures. Hmmm
[26:4] You’re staying put.

[27:1] The following morning.
[27:4] Morning trapper.
[27:5] CArtland: Louis. But why?
Louis: Get out of here if you want to see another sunrise.
[27:6} Here’s your rifle, and your horse is on the other side of the wall. I’ll deal with the guards.
[27:8] What do you want up her redskin?

[28:1] Louis: I thought you might be cold.
Soldier: Of course. Give it here.
[28:2] And so…
[28:3] Hey, did I just hear the door?
[28:4] You must have dreamt it?
[28:5] Below
[28:6] Good to see you again.

[29:1] On a cold March morning a young Indian began the third day of a ritual fast. Stopped in prayer, he awaited the vision that would reveal his warrior’s name. That’s what the Oglala ancestors demanded.
[29:3] Today, though, White Beaver was watching his last sunrise.
[28:4] No!

[30:1] Andy: If Running Bear doesn’t do anything now, he won’t be chief of the young warriors for much longer.
Rufus: Scalp him. That’ll enrage them.
[30:3] Andy: We must leave well marked tracks leading the redskins to Ben Trucker’s ranch.
Rufus: Poor Ben. He’ll wonder why the savages suddenly have it in for him.
[30:5] By nightfall Jon has returned to the Oglala.
Cartland: Hey kid, where can I find Chief Running Bear?

[31:1} Hey
[31:2] You cheeky sod I’ll…
[31:3] What’s going on?
[31:4] Get lost trapper. You’re not welcome anymore.
[31:5] Cartland: Why?
Medicine Man: Live well.
[31:6] Medicine Man, listen to me.
[31:7] Cartland: Your tribe’s in great danger. Let me warn you.
Medicine Man: I’ll listen, but talk fast.

[32:1] The Captain now in charge at Fort Hope is plotting with the traders. He wants to provoke you into action and will bring the army down on you. They want your land and they’ll kill you all.
[32:2] Medicine Man: It’s too late.
Cartland: What.
[32:3] Cartland: I must catch Running Bear and his warriors before they attack a blameless rancher.
Medicine Man: All in good time brother. First eat, then go.
[32:4] Meanwhile.
[32:5] It’s pitch black. Are we going the right way?
[32:6] Damn it.

[33:1] Rufus: Are you okay? We’ve got to hurry.
Andy: My leg…
[33:2] You can’t ride any further on that cripple.
[33:4] Hold on tight, and for God’s sake don’t faint.
[33:6] A few hours later
Did you hear that? There’s someone there.
[33:7] Who is it?
Rufus: Don’t shoot, it’s me, Rufus.

[34:1] Ben: Lie him on the bed. That leg looks bad.
Rufus: He’s lost consciousness. Can you lend me a fresh horse so I can fetch the Doc?
[34:2] Of course. We’ll look after your friend until you get back.
[34:3] At the same time…
[34:4] And greet the redskins for me. If only you knew.
[34:5] They’re almost there.

[35:1] Sonn afterwards Running Bear and his warriors arrived at the Trucker ranch.
[35:2] Forwards.
[35:4] The Indians

[36:2] Good Lord! They’ve set the house on fire.
[36:5] In the meantime Cartland has also reached the ranch.
Cartland: Blast it.
[365:6] Screaming revenge, the warriors display their captured scalps.
[36:7] The trapper can only look on helplessly.
Cartland: They’ve avenged White Beaver, but they don’t know the hell they’ve brought on themselves.

[36:2] The Indians leave, all but one of them ignoring Jon.
[37:3] Black Turtle.
[37:4] One thing I don’t understand. White Beaver’s killer must have come from here.
[37:5] The stables haven’t been harmed.
[37:7] Just what I thought. A soaking wet horse without a saddle. One of the bastards changed horses here.

[38:1] I’ll find his tracks in the wet snow easily enough.
[38:2] There they are.
[38:3] If I hurry perhaps I can catch the killer before he reaches Fort Hope.
[38:4] Ah, there he is at last.
[38:5] Jack: How did it go Rufus?
Rufus: Okay, except Andy copped it.
Jack: Okay, let’s head back to the fort.
[38:7] Holy Goat!The trapper.

[39:4] Leave the gun you snake.
[39:5] Cartland: Take your knife and defend yourself.
Jack: Ha! You’re an idiot.
[38:6] Cartland: You’ve not got any reason to laugh. I’m going to kill you.
[39:7] Why have you got a hard-on for these savages? One day they’ll begone anyway.

[40:1] Your friends occupy too much land.And civilisation needs that land.
[40:2] Civilisation? Who is it that’s civilised here? I’d consider the savages way of life far more decent and desirable. Even if they place too much trust in the treaties of white men and are betrayed again and again.
[40:8] Ha!Die you damn fool.

[41:4] Black Turtle: My brother Jon already has one foot in our father Wakantanka’s teepee.
Cartland: Thank you for getting me out of that Black Turtle.
[41:5] Black Turtle: Did they kill White Beaver?
Cartland: One of them anyway, together with his accomplice who must have burned to death at the ranch. The other was their boss.
[41:7] Brother yellowhair my tribe awaits you urgently.

[42:1] Meanwhile
[42:2] Farmer: It’s daft to set out on Saturday for church on Sunday. Women!
Wife: We’d be late otherwise.
[42:3] And besides, Ben Trucker will gladly put us up overnight.
[42:4] I could think of a few better things.
[42:6] Dear heaven.
[42:8] A few hours later in the town outside Fort Hope.
[42:9] Indians! Indians.

[43:1] Man: Where?
Farmer: They’ve killed Ben Trucker.
Wife: And scalped him. It was horrible.
[43:2] We’ll demand the army avenge this cowardly murder, and if the Captain won’t provide any soldiers we’ll settle this ourselves.
[42:3] What’s happened?
[42:4] What’s happened you bastard? Your stinking relatives have killed the Truckers.But we’ll make them pay.
[42:5] How do you know the Indians weren’t provoked? Do you know mwhat’s been happening since the Captain took charge of the fort?
[42:6] Shut your filthy mouth.
[42:7] This half-blood can’t hide his origins. Heonly wants to protect his pals.
[42:8] Man 1: It’s too late tonight
Man 2: Tomorrow morning, then. I’ll collect you and we’ll worry about what’s right.
Farmer: Yes,tomorrow.
Wife: The Captain is surely noteworthy.

[44:1] That night the Oglala celebrated their victory on their tribal lands, displaying the scalps as trophies. Carried away by their dancing, they forgot about the consequences that the deaths of the innocent Truckers might bring.
[44:2] Jonathan Cartland knows the danger well enough.
[44:4] Brother yellow hair, here’s a bowl of blueberry soup.I hear that my father Running Bear is worried. He says black days are coming for our people. I’m scared.
[44:5] He’s right Snowflake, but I’ll stay here with you.
{pp:45]
[45:1] On a March Sunday morning a group of settlers rode into the fort demanding the help of the army in settling the score. They’re goaded along by one of the Captain’s henchmen.
[45:2] Hurry up. We had to wait long enough for the end of the service. Time is of the essence.
[45:3] You know, I had nothing against the Truckers, but it is really worthwhile taking on the Indians on their account?
[45:4] Lieutenant: News from the Colonel Sir.
Captain: He’s coming back on Tuesday. That’s too soon. Much too soon.
[45:5] We have to end this thing with the Redskins before then. We’ll lure the damn savages to the fort. They’ll be dealt with by the soldiers.
[45:6] Lieutenant: That’s dangerous Sir.
Captain: Keep your thoughts to yourself Lieutenant. It’s my last chance. Any news from the patrol?
[45:7] Not yet Sir. Oh, we have visitors.

[46:1] Captain, we demand that the murder of the Truckers is dealt with, and the redskins settlement is destroyed. We volunteer to serve under your command.
[46:2] Well done gentlemen. Very brave. We’ll leave at once.
[46:3] Wait a minute. I’m not fighting the Indians. That’s what wehave soldiers for. They should protect us.
[46:4] Captain, the patrol has just returned.
[46:6] These red dogs have murdered another two of our people. Andone of us is still saying we shouldn’t act.
[46:7] Enough is enough. Anyone who’s not a coward,follow me. Sergeant, gather the men. We leave at once.

[47:1] Sergeant: Sir, what about the river? The snow’s melting and there’s a wind from the South.
Captain: Never mind.
[47:3] A few hours later.
[47:4] We’ll never get across there.
[47:6] We’ll get across, and you’ll be the first to try. That’s an order.
[47:7] But Captain, take a look.
[47:9] Anyone else want to complain? No? Right, let’s go.

[48:2] Watch out for the log.
[48:6] Man 1: This is complete madness. We should turn back.
Man 2: At once.

[49:1] Soldier: Captain, tow of the settlers are deserting.
Captain: Stop. I order you to come back.
[49:2] Let them go, they’re already too far away.
[49:3] Miserable cowards. Damned idiots. I’ll have those deserters hung as soon as we’re back in the fort.
[49:4] Man: Captain, have we still got enough men for a successful attack on the Indians?
Captain: We’re continuing. Have you no faith in my strategic experience?
[49:5] A few hours later near the Indian settlement.
[49:6] Cartland: Do you need any help Snowflake?
Snowflake: Yes,if it’s you brother yellow hair.
[49:7] Snowflake: I want to go back to the settlement. Was the hunt successful?
Cartland: No, we’ll go back together.

[50:1] Meanwhile.
Captain: You understand? On my signal you only have to creep in like rabbits. Now split up.
[50:4] What was that?
[50:5] The shithead caught you, and his shot will have warned the redskins. Quick, let’s go. I’m not going to die for that mad Captain.
[50:6] Quick, get back to camp Snowflake. I’ll…

[51:1] Jon. Look out!
[51:3] That was one of the wolves that works for the Captain. Hey, down there is the rest of the pack. Quick, get to safety Snowflake.
[51:5] Jumping Jehosophat. They going to set fire to the burial towers.

[52:1] The whitte man has gone mad.
[52:2] Two of the soldiers are running out of the flames.
[52:4] Progress triumphs and forges civilisation from chaos.
[52:5] God is on our side. Fight men.
[52:7] Over the following days the south-westerly wind melts the snows. For the Oglala tribe the time has come to make for the buffalo herds.
Running Bear: It’s time to make for the new hunting grounds.
Snowflake: Are you coming with us?
Cartland: Of course. My place is with your people.

[53:1] Many weeks later.
Running Bear: We’ll set up camp in this valley.
[53:2] The entire camp busied themselves erecting teepees from wooden poles and buffalo skins. Only the children have time to play in the water. Better days have arrived at last, and the Oglala seemed to have forgotten the previous bloodshed.
[53:3] While the women busied themselves sewing new clothes, Jonathan Cartland was being taught about Indian weapons by his friend Black Turtle.
Black Turtle: Ha! My brother Jon still has to practice a lot.
Cartland: Perhaps you’re right. I don’t think I’ll ever make a good Oglala.

[54:1] After a few days the Medicine Man began the dances and rituals that would summon the buffalo back to the plains.
Medicine Man: Let our father Wakatanka spread the buffalo over the prairie.
[54:2] There were two reasons for the buffalo dance. Firstly a call to God to lead the buffalo herds to the hunters, but also to have God make the buffalo understand the necessity of their deaths. They prayed for forgiveness and for the food, shelter and clothing brought to the tribe.
[54:3] Then, after three days.
Brave: The buffalo have come. They’re grazing under the sun.
[54:4] Good hunting my warriors. May Wakatanka guide your arrows.

[55:1] Cartland: Hey, see that bull over there.
Black Turtle: Come on.
[55:6]
Black Turtle: That buffalo almost killed me. His skin belongs to you, brother.
Cartland: Thanks Black Turtle, I could really use it.

[56:1] Cartland: Running Bear is this buffalo hide nice enough to trae for your daughter Snowflake?
Running Bear: Snowflake is a good daughter, but this hide will keep me warm in winter.
The custom of the Sioux was that the prospective bridegroom offered something of value, or horses in exchange for the bride.
[56:2] The wedding ceremony lasted several days.
Your blood is joined along with your lives.
[56:3] One morning with the East wind behind them Jonathan Cartland and his wife left to build their own home.