Fort Laramie 56-01-22 01 Playing Indian

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Fort Laramie 56-01-22 01 "Playing Indian"

Overview

This episode of Fort Laramie, titled "Playing Indian," transports listeners to the rugged American frontier. Featuring Raymond Burr as Captain Lee Quince, the show revolves around the struggle between cavalry soldiers and outlaws in the wilds near Fort Laramie. In this particular story, Captain Quince returns from leave to discover a wave of horse theft and brutal murders being wrongly blamed on the Arapaho tribe. He sets out to uncover the truth and deliver justice, revealing the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of the frontier—and among its settlers.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

A Soldier Returns and the Frontier’s Tension (01:08–04:04)

• Captain Quince returns from St. Louis, exchanging banter with Sergeant Gorse about civilian life versus military drudgery:
  • Captain Quince jokes about making easy money in the city, contrasting it with the Army’s harshness and lack of reward:
    • “The Army's no place for a man who wants to do any living at all. You're either turning black with the boredom of garrison or you're riding hell bent into nowhere.” (03:23)
• Sergeant Gorse delivers troubling news: recent killings have been attributed to Arapaho raiders. There is unrest and a sense of mounting danger on the outskirts.

Prejudice and Resentment Between Soldiers and Civilians (05:04–07:47)

• In a tense saloon scene, townsmen mock and antagonize the soldiers:
  • “We don’t like soldiers drinking where we drink, mister. We like to teach them a lesson now and then, don’t we, Moylan?” (06:42)
• Quince and Gorse refuse to rise to the bait and leave, signaling their discipline and mutual respect.

Orders and Strategy at Fort Laramie (08:20–11:11)

• Major Daggett reprimands Quince for tardiness and alleged rowdiness in town, underlining military expectations.
• Discussion of the Arapaho raids:
  • “Settlers are beginning to wonder what the 2nd Cavalry is doing at Fort Laramie. If this goes on, there won’t be any settlers.” (09:08)
• Quince proposes a stealthier approach—scouting with a small detachment—to root out the attackers. The Major insists on using the full company for speed.

Discovering the Truth at the Murder Site (12:18–17:04)

• The patrol comes upon a burned homestead and murdered (and scalped) settlers.
• Quince meticulously assesses the scene, guiding Gorse and Seiberts to rethink assumptions:
  • He notes the lack of arrows and missing tracks, suggesting the attack wasn’t committed by Indians.
  • “A man wearing moccasins doesn’t care about his tracks, he’s got nothing to hide. Wasn't the Rappahos did this. Wasn’t Indians at all. It was white men.” (17:04)

Preparing the Trap (18:52–22:28)

• Quince borrows the Steele family’s ranch to set a trap for the murderers.
• Miss Holly Steele is skeptical and witty in her back-and-forth with the Captain; she ultimately agrees to leave with an escort.
  • “Just because you and I have met once or twice at Fort Laramie Dance... You don’t understand.” (20:20)
  • “I hope you have a chance someday to find out about my cooking. What I mean is, good luck.” (21:26)
• Quince positions men in a ring around the ranch, laying bait with horses and waiting.

The Showdown (24:24–27:46)

• After days in hiding, Quince and Gorse lure the real killers—white men—into the ranch.
• A brief but intense firefight follows:
  • “You okay, Sergeant?” (27:01)
    • “Yes, sir. We got two of them anyway.” (27:05)
• The troopers catch or kill the remaining outlaws attempting to flee.
• Quince hopes they can recover stolen horses and maybe deliver justice or closure to some families.

Reflection and Resolution (27:46–28:01)

• The episode ends with a somber yet satisfying close:
  • Sergeant Gorse: “No more women and kids dying hard. Feels kind of good, don’t it, Captain? Don’t it.”
  • Captain Quince: “Feels a whole lot better than making money in St. Louis.” (28:01)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Exchanges

• On the Hard Life of Soldiers

  • Captain Quince: “When I think of the troops aching for home while they sweat and freeze and spill their blood all over the frontier for 50 cents a day, it makes me mad.” (05:47)

• On Prejudice

  • Townsman: “We don’t like soldiers drinking where we drink, mister. We like to teach them a lesson now and then, don’t we, Moylan?” (06:42)

• On the Frontier's True Threat

  • Captain Quince (revealing the deception):
    “A man wearing moccasins doesn’t care about his tracks, he’s got nothing to hide. Wasn't the Rappahos did this. Wasn’t Indians at all. It was white men.” (17:04)

• Humor Among Hard Men

  • Sergeant Gorse (joking about their rations):
    “And no smokes, Captain Quince.”
    Quince: “I never had it so good, sir. Then shut up, Dog. Out already.” (23:19)

• Resolution

  • Sergeant Gorse: “Feels kind of good, don’t it, Captain?”
  • Captain Quince: “Feels a whole lot better than making money in St. Louis.” (28:01)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------| | 01:08 | Show introduction: Cast, setting, premise | | 02:18–04:04 | Quince’s return, discussing Army life | | 05:04–07:47 | Tense bar encounter; civilian resentment | | 08:20–11:11 | Major Daggett reveals stakes, orders patrol| | 12:18–17:04 | Scene at the slaughtered homestead | | 18:52–22:28 | Quince sets the trap at Steele ranch | | 24:24–27:46 | Ambush and showdown with the outlaws | | 27:46–28:01 | Aftermath and reflection |

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Tone & Atmosphere

• Language: Gritty, sometimes wry and laconic; the interplay among soldiers is gruff but loyal.
• Mood: Hard-edged and realistic, shot through with dark humor, a sense of justice, and the moral ambiguities of frontier life.

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For listeners:
This episode is a classic example of Old Time Radio drama, mixing action, sharp dialogue, and a nuanced narrative that explores prejudice, justice, and camaraderie on a wild American frontier. You don’t need to have listened to previous installments to appreciate the flow, tension, and character depth on display here.

Transcript

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[Sergeant Gorse]

SA.

[Narrator/Announcer (show credits)]

Mort laramie. Fort 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.

[Miss Holly Steele]

Captain.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Captain quince.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Sergeant. Sergeant Gorse. How are you?

[Sergeant Gorse]

It's sure good to see you, Captain. You look kind of funny, though.

[Captain Lee Quince]

What do you mean?

[Sergeant Gorse]

Them clothes, Mufti. I ain't used to you out of uniform.

[Captain Lee Quince]

I'll be back in uniform at midnight tonight, Sergeant. We'll stay in town till then and you can buy me a drink.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Me by. I thought you was gonna get rich in St. Louis.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Did I say that?

[Sergeant Gorse]

Well, you talked about nothing else before your leave come through.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Just proves you shouldn't believe everything you hear, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir. I'll try to remember that.

[Captain Lee Quince]

See that you do. Then to really fool you, I may go back to St. Louis.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Quit the Army.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Man can make money there. Sergeant. I don't mean gambling. I mean honestly, in an honest business. Buying things, selling them.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Well, sir, the army's sure no place for a man who wants to get rich. I'll say that.

[Captain Lee Quince]

The Army's no place for a man who wants to do any living at all. You're either turning black with the boredom of garrison or you're riding hell bent into nowhere.

[Sergeant Gorse]

That's sure enough true, Captain.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Come on, let's get our drink. How's B Company, Sergeant Company's fine, sir.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Major Daggett's gonna be mighty glad to see you back at Fort Laramie.

[Captain Lee Quince]

He isn't gonna see me till midnight.

[Sergeant Gorse]

He'll be waiting up. Send me into town to tell you, huh?

[Captain Lee Quince]

Something wrong?

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Well, what?

[Sergeant Gorse]

Arapahos. They've been raiding for horses. Massacred a whole family over in the basin about 10 days ago.

[Captain Lee Quince]

You mean. You mean they jumped the reservation?

[Sergeant Gorse]

Not the whole tribe. Just a few of them, I guess. Mr. Seibertz took B Company out last week, but he didn't have any luck.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Why not?

[Sergeant Gorse]

I don't know. Captain, I wasn't with him.

[Captain Lee Quince]

What?

[Sergeant Gorse]

I've been on sick list till two days ago.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Sick list? You?

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir. Pack mule kicked me in the belly.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Oh, well, a little whiskey will cure that, Sergeant. Well, here we are.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Mr. Sybert is feeling mighty bad about it.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Your belly.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Like I said, it's good to have you back, Captain.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Bottle of rye and two glasses.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Coming up.

[Captain Lee Quince]

The Army. And Moylan. Look at what came in.

[Sergeant Gorse]

What's his trouble?

[Captain Lee Quince]

Hate soldiers, I guess. Like a lot of people since Richmond.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yeah. Too much war, maybe. I guess everybody'd like to forget it now.

[Captain Lee Quince]

We all like to forget it. There's a war still going on.

[Sergeant Gorse]

You're right, sir. Who they think stands between them and all the hostiles out there waiting to hack them to pieces? Who does all their dirty work for them?

[Captain Lee Quince]

It isn't like people to be grateful for any favors, sergeant.

[Sergeant Gorse]

No, sir. I guess not.

[Captain Lee Quince]

When I think of the troops aching for home while they sweat and freeze and spill their blood all over the frontier for 50 cents a day, it makes me mad.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Tell me about St. Louis, Captain.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Here's your liquor, gentlemen. Hey, you.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Hold it.

[Captain Lee Quince]

You know them, sergeant?

[Sergeant Gorse]

No, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

What's your trouble, mister? My name ain't mister.

[Sergeant Gorse]

It's Rudio.

[Captain Lee Quince]

I ain't talking to you. I'm talking to the soldier. I'm with the soldier.

[Sergeant Gorse]

You stay out of this.

[Captain Lee Quince]

You know what's good for you.

[Sergeant Gorse]

You tell him, Moylan. What do you want from me? I never saw you before. Yeah, you won't want to see us.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Again after we're through with you. What's this all about? We don't like soldiers drinking where we drink, mister. We like to teach them a lesson.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Now and then, don't we, Moylan? Yeah, we do it, too.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Now, just shut up, mister.

[Sergeant Gorse]

What's the matter with you, coming in.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Here with a soldier? Gonna drink with him, too, Rudio?

[Sergeant Gorse]

I just guess that he ain't no better than no soldier himself. Just scum floating with scum. That's what I call it. Well.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Okay. Sergeant Gorse.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

You can have more than there.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Thank you, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Move out.

[Sergeant Gorse]

I'll. I'll buy you that drink now, Captain Quince.

[Captain Lee Quince]

You can buy the first one, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir.

[Major Daggett]

You're half an hour late, Captain Quince.

[Captain Lee Quince]

I was on the post at midnight, Major. I wanted to get back into uniform before reporting.

[Major Daggett]

I'm glad of that, anyway.

[Captain Lee Quince]

I kind of figured you would be.

[Major Daggett]

You still think I'm too Army, don't you, Lee?

[Captain Lee Quince]

We've known each Other a long time, Major.

[Major Daggett]

Since Vicksburg with Grant.

[Captain Lee Quince]

I remember a night in Chattanooga you weren't very army. I've forgotten the girl's name, of course.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Mother.

[Major Daggett]

Captain Quince. I trust Sergeant Gorse told you about the Arapaho trouble.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Yeah. They're out raiding for horses. They've slaughtered a family over in the basin.

[Major Daggett]

It's got to be stopped. Settlers are beginning to Wonder what the 2nd Cavalry is doing at Fort Laramie.

[Captain Lee Quince]

If this goes on, there won't be any settlers.

[Major Daggett]

Hard enough homesteading this country without a man waiting for him and his family to be massacred by renegade Indians.

[Captain Lee Quince]

I'll take a patrol out in a few days, have a look around.

[Major Daggett]

You'll take B Company out tomorrow morning.

[Captain Lee Quince]

May I make a suggestion, Major Daggett? If it's in order, Lieutenant Seiberts took B Company out and found nothing. Sure, he's green, but a few Arapahoe can hide easy from a whole troop of cavalry beating its way through this country. Give me 12 men. I'll scout those Indians, get them set up. Then I'll come back for the company.

[Major Daggett]

No, no. It's too slow. There isn't time.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Better let me try it, sir.

[Major Daggett]

I said no, Captain.

[Captain Lee Quince]

You haven't got very far your way, Major. You have your orders. Yes, sir.

[Major Daggett]

Uh, Captain?

[Captain Lee Quince]

Yes, sir?

[Major Daggett]

I heard you and Sergeant Gorse were in a brawl earlier this evening in town.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Conduct unbecoming an officer.

[Major Daggett]

You should learn to control your temper, Captain.

[Captain Lee Quince]

I wonder what family the Arapahos are putting the knife to tonight. Major Daggett.

[Major Daggett]

Should never start this sort of thing with you. Thank you. Patrol.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Yes, sir. Any further orders?

[Major Daggett]

May have Sergeant Gorse and Lieutenant Seiberts, but no other officers are non commissioned officers.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Right.

[Major Daggett]

Pass your men through the main gates of the post. Half hour before reveille. Any questions?

[Captain Lee Quince]

No, sir.

[Major Daggett]

Then move out.

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[Captain Lee Quince]

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[Narrator/Announcer]

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[Captain Lee Quince]

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[Narrator/Announcer]

Doug.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Uh, Limu.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Is that guy with the binoculars watching us?

[Captain Lee Quince]

Cut the camera. They see us.

[Commercial Voice]

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[Sergeant Gorse]

Liberty.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Liberty.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Liberty.

[Commercial Voice]

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[Sergeant Gorse]

There's a cabin just over this rise. Captain Quinz.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Must be new, Mr. Cyber.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir, it is. A man in his family, he's. He's raising horses.

[Captain Lee Quince]

A man's a fool. There's just as good land a day's ride from the fort.

[Sergeant Gorse]

You're right, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Am I, Mr. Sybert?

[Sergeant Gorse]

Of course, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

What if the man likes it out here away from people? That make him a fool?

[Sergeant Gorse]

No, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Then I'm wrong.

[Sergeant Gorse]

I'm afraid I don't understand, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

You agree too easily, Mr. Sybert. Better learn to think for yourself.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Now, where is your cabin?

[Sergeant Gorse]

Well, you'll see it in a minute, sir. There.

[Captain Lee Quince]

It no.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Look.

[Captain Lee Quince]

It's been burned. Sergeant.

[Sergeant Gorse]

So is the Rapahos again, Captain. Yes, Captain.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Look down there, Sergeant, while the patrol out is scout. Sergeant. Thousand yards between men. There's any Indians around, I want to know it. The men will watch us at the cabin for arm signals.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Right, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Then join Mr. Syberts and me down there. Move out.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Follow me, Mr. Sabitz.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Looks as they slaughtered every one of them.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Man, woman, young boy. This the whole family, Mr. Sybert?

[Sergeant Gorse]

That's all of them, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Thank God for that.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Every one of them. Scalped. Even the boy.

[Captain Lee Quince]

At least they. They weren't tortured.

[Sergeant Gorse]

No, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Tell me. Tell me, Mr. Seibert's. Was the other family like this?

[Sergeant Gorse]

Why, yes, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

I see.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Made quite a mess, didn't he?

[Captain Lee Quince]

Take a good look, Sergeant. How many horses did this man have, Mr. Seiberts?

[Sergeant Gorse]

About 10, as I remember, sir. Well, Sergeant, funny thing.

[Captain Lee Quince]

What is?

[Sergeant Gorse]

Well, Captain, I don't know how them Arapahoes could have surprised him so fast.

[Captain Lee Quince]

What makes you think they did?

[Sergeant Gorse]

Not many arrows around. If a man had had a chance to put up any fight at all, there'd be a lot of arrows.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Is that all?

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

You sure?

[Sergeant Gorse]

Nope. Yes, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Sergeant Gorse, I excuse Mr. Seiberts because of his lack of experience, but you, You're a disgrace to the cavalry. Ought to clean your sleeve and send you back to stable detail.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Don't stand there, gab, and use your eyes.

[Sergeant Gorse]

I'm looking.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Look harder.

[Sergeant Gorse]

There ain't no tracks. No tracks? Somebody dragged him out with a blanket.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Somebody? Why do you say somebody, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Gorse]

I don't know, sir. There's something Wrong. Here, look.

[Captain Lee Quince]

How old that boy, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Gorse]

Maybe 12, 13.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Old enough to be a brave in a couple of years. If he was an Indian. Yes, sir. Don't Arapahoes usually keep a boy that age and try to make a warrior out of him?

[Sergeant Gorse]

They always do. Now, wait. Them tracks. They wouldn't hide their tracks.

[Captain Lee Quince]

No, they wouldn't.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Captain.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Now I know why you got so mad. I'm pretty mad myself.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Took you long enough, Mr. Seiberts.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

A man wearing moccasins doesn't care about his tracks, he's got nothing to hide. Wasn't the Rappahos did this. Wasn't Indians at all. It was white men.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Whose place is this, captain?

[Captain Lee Quince]

Oh, Jake Steele and his wife. Their daughter lives with them.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Shouldn't their daughter live with them, sir?

[Captain Lee Quince]

Ollie's 19 going on 20. She had some schooling back East.

[Sergeant Gorse]

You mean she should be married now?

[Captain Lee Quince]

This country needs women, Mr. Seiberts, but it doesn't need single women.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Patrol, hut. Mr. Simons.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Dismount and unsaddle. Dry the horses. Turn them into the corral yonder. Cache the saddles over in that brush so they can be seen. All other equipment the men will keep.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Two men will stand by for escort duty. Move out.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

It's Captain Quince. Miss Steele.

[Miss Holly Steele]

My captain. What are you and your troopers doing out here?

[Captain Lee Quince]

I'll tell you, if you ask me in.

[Miss Holly Steele]

Oh, come in.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Where's your family?

[Miss Holly Steele]

Well, they rode over to the Abbot place.

[Captain Lee Quince]

That's a long ride.

[Miss Holly Steele]

They're spending the night. They'll be back tomorrow. Why, Is there trouble?

[Captain Lee Quince]

No, not for you. Holly.

[Miss Holly Steele]

What are you doing here?

[Captain Lee Quince]

I came to borrow your ranch.

[Miss Holly Steele]

What?

[Captain Lee Quince]

I need it for a few days. Maybe. Maybe a week. Now, captain, you and your folks can stay with the Abbotts for a while. I'll send for you when I'm through here.

[Miss Holly Steele]

You seem to have it all figured out.

[Captain Lee Quince]

I have?

[Miss Holly Steele]

Of course. Shall I leave right now, Captain Quince?

[Captain Lee Quince]

Sooner the better. I'm sending an escort with you.

[Miss Holly Steele]

Well, that's very kind of you.

[Captain Lee Quince]

I can spare a couple of troopers.

[Miss Holly Steele]

And you move in here.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Sergeant Gorse and me.

[Miss Holly Steele]

Wouldn't you like for me to stay and cook for you?

[Captain Lee Quince]

No, no, no, you couldn't do that.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Why?

[Miss Holly Steele]

Don't you think I'm a good cook?

[Captain Lee Quince]

Maybe when this is over, I'll. I'll ride back sometime and find out.

[Miss Holly Steele]

Captain Quince. Just because you and I have met once or twice at Fort Laramie Dance.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Just a minute, Miss Holly. You don't understand.

[Miss Holly Steele]

Don't I?

[Captain Lee Quince]

I should have explained. There's. There's going to be a fight here.

[Miss Holly Steele]

Fight?

[Captain Lee Quince]

I'm using this place for a trap, baiting it with a bunch of horses. And when the men I'm after come for them, well, we'll be waiting.

[Miss Holly Steele]

What men?

[Captain Lee Quince]

Men who've been stealing horses, murdering settler families, blaming it on their Arapahoes.

[Miss Holly Steele]

You mean it? It's white men who've been doing that?

[Captain Lee Quince]

I do.

[Miss Holly Steele]

Captain Quince. I'm beginning to understand that being in the cavalry, you're accustomed to ordering people around and not explaining anything.

[Captain Lee Quince]

I'm sorry, Holly. I upset you.

[Miss Holly Steele]

Now, if you'll wait outside while I get some things together, I'll ride up to the Abbotts with that escort you promised me.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Good.

[Miss Holly Steele]

Oh, Captain.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Yes?

[Miss Holly Steele]

I hope you have a chance someday to find out about my cooking. What I mean is good luck.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Thank you, Holly.

[Miss Holly Steele]

Go on. Get out of here now.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Well, it took me that long to do something, I'd get busted to a private.

[Captain Lee Quince]

You can still get busted. Sergeant.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Mr. Sybert.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Right here, Captain.

[Captain Lee Quince]

You'll take over the patrol. Mr. Sybert, I want you to spot the men in a complete circle around this place. Half mile out there to dig in. And when they think they're hidden, I'm going to ride that circle.

[Sergeant Gorse]

I understand, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Heaven help any trooper I can see.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

They're to let those men through, but when they hear gunfire from the cabin here, they're to kill anything that tries to get back out. Any questions?

[Sergeant Gorse]

No, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Move out.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Well, Sergeant, you and I are going to be sitting on the pan of.

[Sergeant Gorse]

This trap like poisoned meat. Huh?

[Captain Lee Quince]

Maybe before we get off, You have to do that. Sergeant.

[Sergeant Gorse]

I didn't join the army to be locked up in this coop for three days.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Maybe you'd rather be sitting outside with the real men, half buried, afraid to move, with nothing but a canteen of water and a handful of jerky.

[Sergeant Gorse]

And no smokes.

[Captain Lee Quince]

And no smokes, Captain Quince.

[Sergeant Gorse]

I never had it so good, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Then shut up, Dog. Out already.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Good. Ain't the kind of man who'd attack even a woman in the daylight.

[Captain Lee Quince]

No, I guess not. Goris, you lied to me.

[Major Daggett]

What?

[Captain Lee Quince]

No smokes. You tried to make me think you'd find it rough out there with the troopers because they can't smoke. Well, you never smoked in your life, you ape. Not with that quid of tobacco in your jaw day and night. What are you trying to give me?

[Sergeant Gorse]

You need action, too, Captain. Bad As I do.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Yeah, I do.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Three days of this is worse than a winter in garrison. You go to St. Louis, I'm going with you. That easy, money?

[Captain Lee Quince]

Wait, wait. Come here.

[Sergeant Gorse]

What is it?

[Captain Lee Quince]

Horses.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Listen. We got him, Captain. We got him.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Okay, move fast. Get out the back window. Come up the off side of the cabin. But don't shoot till I get at least one of them inside here.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir. Good hunting, captain.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Same to you, sergeant.

[Sergeant Gorse]

It.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Hello. Hello there.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Come on, open up. We want to have a little talk with you. Look out, Jim. He'll have a gun.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Listen, mister, we ain't gonna hurt nobody.

[Sergeant Gorse]

We got something to tell you is all. Let's fix them and get out of here. Jim. We're just passing by, mister. Got some news for you. Maybe there ain't nobody home. They wouldn't leave all them horses alone, would they? I'm coming in, mister. Don't shoot now. Have your daughter light the lamp, mister. Then we can talk. Jim. Jim.

[Captain Lee Quince]

What happened? You're next, mister. You okay, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir. We got two of them, anyway.

[Captain Lee Quince]

I didn't realize they were more than that.

[Sergeant Gorse]

He was holding their horses.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Well, the troopers will take care of him. They deserve a little action, too.

[Sergeant Gorse]

They sure do. Who are they? Do you know?

[Captain Lee Quince]

Strangers.

[Sergeant Gorse]

One inside. Dead.

[Captain Lee Quince]

I didn't kill him.

[Sergeant Gorse]

What? You took an awful chance, Captain.

[Captain Lee Quince]

It'll be worth it. Maybe we can find out what they did with all the horses they've stolen. Maybe we can take them back.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir, but. Well, there's two families won't never get theirs. Hear that, Captain?

[Captain Lee Quince]

Mission accomplished.

[Sergeant Gorse]

No more women and kids dying hard. Feels kind of good, don't it, Captain? Don't it.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Sergeant?

[Sergeant Gorse]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Feels a whole lot better than making money in St. Louis.

[Narrator/Announcer (show credits)]

Fort Laramie is produced and directed by Norman MacDonald and stars Raymond Byrd as Lee Quince, Captain of cavalry, with Vic Perrin as Sergeant Gorse. The script was specially written for Fort Laramie by John Miston with sound patterns by Bill James and Ray Kemper. Musical supervision by Amerigo Marino. Featured in the cast were Harry Bartel, Dan riss and Joyce McCluskey, with Lawrence Dobkin, Clayton Post, Paul Duboff and James Nussey. Old Man Trouble takes it on the chin five nights a week when Bing begins to sing, which is just dandy for everybody else who's listening in. Since Old Man Trouble has no great charm to speak of and since Bing Crosby has an ear for melody, a cheery disposition and many other charms as well, folks naturally prefer to spend their time with Bing for good company and easygoing songs. Hear the Bing Crosby show Monday through Friday nights over most of these same stations.

[Captain Lee Quince]

Company tension dismiss.

[Narrator/Announcer (show credits)]

Join us again next week for another transcribed story of the Northwest Frontier and the troopers who fought under Lee Quince, captain of Cavalry.

[Sergeant Gorse]

Sam.

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[Captain Lee Quince]

Honey, this is it. Shot clock winding down, trailing by two when you can't miss the last shot.

[Commercial Voice]

And neither can he. Don't take slow for an answer.

[Captain Lee Quince]

If Esprello shoots, switch. Good to see it, Carl.

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[Captain Lee Quince]

What went through your head on the last shot?

[Narrator/Announcer]

It all happened so fast.

[Commercial Voice]

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[Captain Lee Quince]

Turn to play. See optimum.com for details.