Breakheart Pass Page #2

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replacements for soldiers who've died.

- Died?

- God save us. The Indians.

Not Indians. Fort Humboldt is in

the grip of a diphtheria epidemic.

Oh, Richard. My father.

We're in daily contact with the fort,

Marica, and your father's fine.

Why wasn't I told?

Because we might have lost the rest of

your command, not only two officers.

- They must have found out.

- Governor, how dare you expose a lady,

- all of us, to this dreadful pestilence?

- We have provisions for a month.

We'll remain aboard until Dr

Molyneux pronounces Humboldt clean.

He's got as good a chance as

any of catching the diphtheria.

I've already had

the disease. I'm immune.

- Where'd you catch it?

- In Mexico. Why?

Just curious.

How many troops are

available for duty?

- Gentlemen.

- Doctor.

25 out of a garrison of 76.

The others are too sick

for duty, or dead.

- White Hand must like that.

- White Hand?

Paiute chief. He needs watchin'.

25 men. That's not even

enough for patrols.

If you'll excuse me.

Marica. Are you all right?

Yes, of course.

It's been a long day.

Are you going to leave

him like this all night?

I reckon we could turn

him loose in the morning.

By then we'll be in snow country,

and he'll have no place to go.

You sure got a mighty poor

choice for your pity, ma'am.

Then you make a mighty poor

example of a lawman, Mr Pearce.

A man is innocent

until proved guilty.

But you've tried,

convicted and condemned.

Show me the law that says you can

treat a man like a wild animal.

You frightened me.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to.

Aren't you afraid of

someone seeing you?

I'm afraid we're not much

of a secret any more.

You should have told me about

the epidemic at the fort.

Why?

You'd only have worried.

Or are you afraid I might

have deserted, too?

No, I'd never think that.

Let's wait until we

get off the train.

Can I get you something?

There's some food left.

No, thanks.

A drink?

That I'll have.

Would you untie my legs?

Don't be silly.

- I won't go anywhere, I promise.

- I'm sure you won't.

I'm all cramped up and I

need the circulation.

I give you my word.

I'll only untie your legs.

And if you want to hop off the train,

it's a long hop to anywhere.

There. Better?

Give me a hand up?

Oh, my God.

You promised.

When a man is a killer, arsonist,

a cheat and a coward,

it's hardly surprising if he

turns out to be a liar as well.

- Is your mother still alive?

- Yes. But what's that to do with you?

- But she's not well.

- How do you know that?

If she were, the commander of the

fort would be visited by his wife,

and not his daughter.

It's strange, you coming out

here with diphtheria around,

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