Cheyenne Autumn

The beginning of a day.

September 7th, 1878.

It dawned like any other day

on the Cheyenne reservation...

...in that vast barren land

in the American Southwest...

...which was then called

Indian Territory.

But this wasn't just

another day to the Cheyenne.

Far from their homeland...

...as out of place in this desert

as eagles in a cage...

...their three great chiefs

prayed over the sacred bundle...

...that at last,

the promises made to them...

...when the white man sent them here

more than a year ago...

...would today be honored.

The promises that had led them

to give up their own way of life...

...in their own green and fertile country,

- Good morning, Wichowsky.

- Troops all present or accounted for, sir.

Thank you.

- Good morning.

- Good morning.

Can I steal some of your coffee?

- Help yourself.

- Thanks.

Any news?

Here comes another name now.

- Senator.

- Great.

Looks like we're gonna be up

to our ears in congressmen.

Well, the more the better.

I wish every bigwig in Washington

could see this place.

Deborah, they're here already.

Lord knows when

the Congressional Committee will arrive.

I don't blame them for being early.

You and I know what this means

to them, uncle.

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J...

...K., L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S,

T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z.

Wonderful.

Come help me set the table.

Attention!

- Scott.

- Good morning, sir.

- Sergeant.

- Good morning, sir.

- Archer.

- Good morning, sir.

- Indians, huh?

- Yep.

Any word

from the Congressional Party?

They haven't left Fort Scott yet.

Well, let me know. Keep me advised.

Yes, sir.

Wichowsky, put the men at ease.

Let them smoke...

...if they've got anything to smoke,

which I doubt.

At ease!

You're ready to smoke!

- Good morning, friend Thomas.

- Good morning, friend Deborah.

Well, now, where have you been

hiding that dress?

That's pretty stylish for a Quaker.

I made it just for this great day.

It's mighty pretty.

Do you know when they'll arrive?

Well, you can't expect speed

from congressmen...

...but they ought to be here

any minute now.

Well, I'd offer to help you,

but I can see you don't need it.

Oh, don't I, now?

Well, the leg on the senator's chair

seems to be stuck.

Senator, huh?

Well, let's see what's wrong.

There we are.

All neat and tidy for the senator.

- Thank you.

- You're welcome. Anytime.

Friend Deborah,

where do you want the senator's chair?

I think I'll put him

at the head of the table.

He'd like that.

Plumtree, go down the road.

Let us know when those gentlemen

from the East arrive.

Hour after hour

they waited under the hot sun.

Waited for the moment

when their prayer would be answered.

When the white chiefs from Washington

would see for themselves...

...how the Cheyenne

had been forgotten.

- Archer!

- Yes, sir.

When is that blasted party

coming anyway?

- I don't know, sir.

- You don't know, sir.

- Hey, you.

- Sir.

Any news on that party

from the East yet?

No. No, sir. Nothing since 11:30.

Eleven-thirty?

- Do you realize it's 5:30 now?

- Yes, sir.

Archer, see what he wants.

Plumtree.

I ain't a-getting paid for thinking, sir

but I don't think them folks is a-coming.

Just came in from Fort Reno, sir.

I'll be damned!

"Congressional Committee delayed

by bumpy roads and dust storms.

Decided to return to Reno in order

to rest up for the Officers' Ball tonight."

You mean

they're not coming here at all?

How long do they expect me to wait

to build some barracks out here?

Archer, I'm going to Fort Reno,

see to it.

Friend major, please...

...will you tell them about the medicine

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