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The Death of a Nation
FADE IN:
TITLE CARD Susquehanna River, 1780 - Winter of the deep snow EXT. HILL NEAR THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER. DAY Dried branches on the snow break under the weight of a double-leather- strip sandal. 73-year-old rag-covered Hotinoshoni warrior SAYENQUERAGHTA halts on a snow-covered slope. His robust figure juts out on a blue sky torn apart by vertical clouds. Sayenqueraghta's face is stripped covered by frozen sweat. The silhouette of a raven is seen reflected on his dark eyes. The silence of the landscape is overwhelming. Breathing over an empty space, Sayenqueraghta glances over the shores of the river. CUT TO: EXT. SHORES OF THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER. DAY The shores of the river are covered by frozen bodies GAIANTWAKE, a 30-year old Dutch-Native-American warrior, THAYENDANEGEA, a 38-year old Mohawk warrior, 24-year old Munsee warrior ONEKWA, who could pass as a white man would it not be for the painting on his face, and twenty HOTINOSHONI WARRIORS guide four hundred HOTINOSHONI MEN, WOMEN and CHILDREN into small canoes. Twenty half-naked HOTINOSHONI CHILDREN are on the The crowded canoes sail breaking into the icy waters of A DOG jumps into the water, trying to reach an already overloaded boat. About a dozen of dogs follow him. A CHILD cries breaking the silence: CHILD 1 (to the dog) Taima! He escapes from HOTINOSHONI WOMAN 1's arms and jumps into the water. The mother looks in horror. Sayenqueraghta stares indolent at him. The child reaches the dog and drowns with it. His mother looks hopelessly at his child's arm, which rises before its final sink. Some yards ahead, a boat cracks and wrecks before the indifferent sight of the soldiers and the Hotinoshoni people. They drown in silence; no one screams. Sayenqueraghta kneels down on the snow and faces the SAYENQUERAGHTA (crying) I destroyed them! He crawls to a near bush. His left hand breaks a branch in two small pieces. From the sky Sayenqueraghta is seen as a man who hits his own face. Slowly he outstretches out his arms. His left hand bleeds. It contains one of his eyes, which still looks at the sun. He raises his head. An eye-hole pours a stream of blood. SAYENQUERAGHTA I, who once annihilated the Chonnonton! I, who once destroyed Kandoucho! I, the terror of Wyoming! His living eye looks with anguish at the sky. A raven is seen on it, flying towards him. The raven crows. DISSOLVE TO: INT. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN'S STUDIO, PHILADELPHIA. DAY. Franklin, MADISON, JEFFERSON and WASHINGTON are seated around a large table. The Schuylkill River is seen through several windows. TITLE CARD Philadelphia, 1776 A BLACK SERVANT takes notes, He is seated before a CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS 1 & 2 remain posted at the door. FRANKLIN If six nations of ignorant savages were capable of forming a powerful and, as it seems, an indissoluble state--I refer to the Hotinoshoni league of nations, won't we be able to be up to the challenge of uniting the American English Colonies? While we are, as they say, slaves of a single man, they are masters of their lives. To the Hotinoshoni all men are created equal, endowed by their gods with equal rights. They reject slavery, and don't have quails to accept foreigners amongst them. They are a confederacy ruled by a single constitution. WASHINGTON I don't deny that our political system is quite indebted to the the Hotinoshoni nation. However this very war of independence might be an indirect upshot of the Crown's protection of the natives. Since Pontiac's revolution indignation amongst the colonists has increased. MADISON Still these league of nations maintain a kind of servitude. Don't they, Mister Jefferson? JEFFERSON They do, Mr. Madison. Thou, to be fair, they treat prisoners of war as members of their families. FRANKLIN They don't have nobles, kings, governors, prefects or judges. You won't find poor and needy amongst them. JEFFERSON I would like to believe in their virtues as much as you do, Mr. Franklin. But let's not forget that they are men. Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto. The Seneca have fought against us, siding with the French, and I'm under the impression that they will continue to do so, siding with the British. FRANKLIN They will remain neutral in an effort to protect their fields and houses. KIRKLAND, a 35-year old clergyman, opens the door and enters. MADISON They may understand, though, that sooner of later their fields will be taken by settlers. JEFFERSON Have you been able to assure the native's alligeance to the Continental Army, Reverend? KIRKLAND The Tuscarora and the Oneida have already sign treaties with us, Mister Jefferson. But the gross of the Hotinoshoni remain neutral, under to the influence of the Jesuits. JEFFERSON We won't be able to gain their support without the formal alliance of the French crown. FRANKLIN We should take advantage of their inherited hate against the British. MADISON King Louis won't recognize our independence without the consent of the Spanish Crown. FRANKLIN I'm not sure. A decisive victory of General Washington will persuade the French. Besides, I myself will travel to France, as ambassador--if congress grants it, Mr. Madison. MADISON We won't allow it. If the British intercept your ship, you will be hanged for treason. FRANKLIN Old men shouldn't fear death. MADISON I acquit you are, indeed, the more appropriate ambassador to France. However we need you. JEFFERSON Humanity is as much indebted to your genius as to your prudence. FRANKLIN I will go. JEFFERSON I volunteer to cross the Atlantic ocean with you, Doctor Franklin. FRANKLIN You are young, Mr. Jefferson. Reserve your willingness for a higher purpose. A MAID opens the door. WASHINGTON Let's not precipitate the events. Marquis de Lafayette has promised us to fight for France's unconditional support. On the other hand, we have already taken steps to assure the friendship of the entire Hotinoshoni nation. MAID The Seneca chief Gaiantwake and Akiatonharonkwen are here. WASHINGTON Let them in. The Maid opens the door. AKIATONHARONKWENA, a 35-year old African-Native American warrior enters accompanied by Gaiantwake, Sayenqueraghta and Onekwa. Franklin, Washington, Jefferson and Madison stand up. WASHINGTON You are already acquainted with Colonel Louis, whom they call Akiatonharonkwen. Akiatonharonkwen raises his head. The servant leaves. FRANKLIN Buffon has written that all the Americans are physically inferior to the Europeans. It is enough to see you, chief Sayenqueraghta, to refute such a claim. (to Gaiantwake) Chief Gaiantwake, please, take a seat... Gaiantwake, Akiatonharonkwen and Onekwa look at each other while the founding fathers sit down. They remain standing up. Jefferson look at Kirkland. KIRKLAND As Tacitus wrote, our houses are mausoleums to those living in the openness of a single meadow. AKIATONHARONKWEN (with anger) We can revenge the mischiefs of the British by breaking into Canada. WASHINGTON Can we count on the support of the six nations? GAIANTWAKE We need arms and food for the coming winter. Jefferson stands up. WASHINGTON We have been informed that your fields have rendered and excellent crop this year. ONEKWA It appears our friends and enemies are better acquainted than us on our own affairs. MADISON Friends? Enemies? You should rather regard General Washington as a father. SAYENQUERAGHTA We don't regard you as a father or a son. Before the Great Spirit we are but brothers. What can you offer to the council of the nations? Jefferson takes a document from the desk of the African-American servant and returns to his seat. JEFFERSON As a gesture of friendship we'll grant you never to take your lands, unless you decide to sell them to the colonists. GAIANTWAKE (enraged) Another treaty? On our lands? Did not the Great Spirit make them all for the use of his children? You wish to prevent us from considering the lands as common property of the whole. You never see a red-skin endeavor to make the white people do this. Sell a country! Why not sell the air, the great sea, as well as the earth? How can we have confidence on you? MADISON Mr. Jefferson refers to selling to a legal term. It cannot be translated literally to your language. Akiatonharonkwen takes out a document from his outfit. AKIATONHARONKWEN I heard that before. It's just another paper like this one, right? Akiatonharonkwen puts the document on the table, before Jefferson. Jefferson don't dare to look at it. Akiatonharonkwen takes out another document. AKIATONHARONKWEN (continuing) Or like this other, promising to punish the rapers of our women and the murderers of our children. Akiatonharonkwen throws a sheet of paper on the desk. As he takes out his hand, a glass of ink drops down over the table and over Jefferson's outfit. Jefferson stands up. C. Soldier 1 aims his bayonet at Akiatonharonkwen. Gaiantwake takes out his knife, but Sayenqueraghta halts him with a gesture. SAYENQUERAGHTA We respect the hospitality of noble Franklin. Washington makes a gesture and C. soldier 1 relax his weapon. Jefferson looks at Franklin with wrath and leaves the room. WASHINGTON We'll furnish you with weapons and provisions against the Englishmen. You won't be asked to sign a paper. Your word will be enough. Sayenqueraghta nods his head. SAYENQUERAGHTA We cannot speak for the six nations, father Washington. We'll make a council this summer. Akiatonharonkwen nods his head and turns around. Franklin looks at the group of Native-Americans leaving. CUT TO: EXT. ROAD TO ONAQUAGA CITY. DAY. Isaac plays a Native-American horn from a small hill. Akiatonharonkwen rides a black horse over a road flanked by corn plantations. TITLE CARD One year later. Women cry in a loud voice. Women and children approach to the borders of the road, fenced by two hundred Hotinoshoni WARRIORS. Akiatonharonkwen turns his sight to his left and stares at 69-year old Sayenqueraghta, who rides a brown horse. Thayendanegea accompanies Sayenqueraghta, riding a white horse to his right. They all carry bayonets. Old men nod before this triumvirate; women throw flowers before them. AKIATONHARONKWEN (to Sayenqueraghta; whispering) Thayendanegea spared the life of a British soldier, Sayenqueraghta looks at JOGUES, a 40-year 5-finger old Jesuit missionary, who leads a flock of about 40 Hotinoshoni CHRISTIANS, amongst them ONIATARIO, a 35-year old Seneca woman, ISI, a 36-year old Seneca woman and TECUMSEH, a 17 year old Seneca warrior. They all carry rosaries in their hands. JOGUES In the name of God, be off to La Prairie, Bold Thayendanegea. Be off to La Prairie. Thayendanegea, visibly upset, ignores him. SAYENQUERAGHTA (laughing, to Jogues) Save your preachings for the young, Jogues. Thayendanegea won't ever give up drinking and polygamy. Some Indians laugh. Akiatonharonkwen looks at Thayendanegea with hostility. They are followed by two groups, each one of twenty Hotinoshoni WARRIORS, led by Onekwa and Gaiantwake. ONEKWA It was Sullivan who attacked us. We should ask justice to the Continental Army. GAIANTWAKE Nature may have ripen your bones, impetuous Onekwa, but your spirit is green, a pale flame confined to lechery and outbursts of laugh Gaiantwake dismounts his horse and embraces Isi and Tecumseh. ISI (sobbing) I'm so relieved to see you. I thank Jesus Christ and our Holy Mother. Ganiodayo, a shaman, turns around and observe Isi TECUMSEH We all were dismayed when we heard of the ambush. How could they attack you? We haven't taken sides! GAIANTWAKE Neutrality is no longer an option. GANIODAYO May the great spirit's blessings always be with you. GAIANTWAKE (surprised) Brother Ganiodayo... GANIODAYO Are you surprise? GAIANTWAKE Yes, you look... different... GANIODAYO I had a dream in which three spirits warned me against the white-men evils of drunkenness and witchcraft. The road describes a perfect straight line up to the city of Onaquaga. Sayenqueraghta and his sons are followed by a train of thirty horses, each of them carrying A Hotinoshoni WARRIOR's corpse. An OLD MAN approaches this train and guides out a horse with trembling hands. Four CRYING WOMAN take down the cadaver from the horse. Behind the horses a retinue of unshackled white, black and one hundred NATIVE AMERICAN PRISONERS are escorted by two hundred Hotinoshoni WARRIORS. They advance under the threat of the spear of Hotinoshoni WARRIOR 1. JEREMIAS, a 35-year old African man, addresses I. warrior 1. JEREMIAS I'm thirsty. KANESTIE, a voluptuous 40-year old German-Huron woman stares at him. Warrior 1 throws a leather bag on Jeremias' arms. Jeremias drinks from the bag and passes it to Kanestie, who drinks eagerly. Kanestie passes the bag onto PRISONER 1's arms. She approaches Jeremias. KANESTIE Good man! My two sons have fallen into their hands. Jeremias look at two Huron warriors wounded and beaten: NUCHTAHONE and RIWATO JEREMIAS They will be burnt, madam. A warrior approaches. Jeremias looks at Kanestie with intensity. She Jeremias takes her hand. CUT TO: EXT. ONAQUAGA CITY, CENTRAL PARK. NIGHT. At the Seneca town, White, African and Native American prisoners carry hundreds of logs--they prepare the burial of the Hotinoshoni warriors. There are about twenty piles of dry branches. Ten corpses lie on each of them. Jogues and his flock of women and children sing in a low tone a mourning song. Oniatario approaches him. JOGUES What did they say? ONIATARIO They are determined to burn two men. JOGUES Jesus Christ... About three hundred Hotinoshoni MEN, seated on the floor, watch in silence the unfolding of the scene. They are grouped in circles. To one side, the prisoners are being sorted by the warriors. Women and children are grouped apart from men. All of them are tied up by their wrists. Sayenqueraghta, painted in red and white, comes out from his log house, with pane windows. He approaches the center of the scene, where he is surrounded by eight pyres. He is followed by ORENGOWAH, a 37-year old shaman, and by ESTHER, a 57-year old Munsee woman. She looks upset. Each of them bears a torch. SAYENQUERAGHTA (to all) White men have proved to be unworthy of our trust. In spite of our neutrality, half of our youth was slew by Sullivan's men. 80-year old HIAWATHA and 60-year old DEGANAWIDA, wise-Council members, whisper to each other. SAYENQUERAGHTA (continuing; loud, to a cadaver) Now go to the fresh meadow where our forefathers lie. Sayenqueraghta turns his head and the Shamans burn some pyres. Esther nods his head and Hotinoshoni WARRIORS 1 & 2 fetch two prisoners to Sayenqueraghta: NUCHTAHONE and RIWATO. KANESTIE No! Akiatonharonkwen turns around and looks at her. She attempts to run towards Nuchtahone and Riwato, but Thayendanegea intercepts her and throws her back to her place. Gaiantwake seizes her. Kanestie resists. Gaiantwake's right hand presses her neck. Kanestie opens her mouth and calms down all of a sudden, as stroke by lighting. SAYENQUERAGHTA As the previous winter went on, we embraced and hosted two foreigners who entreated our protection. We followed the precepts of the six-nations constitution, Gayanashagowa. Hiawatha speaks while caressing with his fingers a collar of wampum beads. HIAWATHA (in a declamatory tone) When a member of an alien nation seeks refuge and permanent residence, the lords of the nation to which he comes shall extend hospitality. Then shall he be accorded equal rights and privileges in all matters... SAYENQUERAGHTA They crawled naked to us, and we sheltered them. Didn't we furnish them with deer's skins? Didn't we gave them squash and smoked salmon? Sayenqueraghta outstretches his arm towards them. Nuchtahone and Riwato are knelt down in front An Hotinoshoni drum is played by ISAAC, a 21-year old Mohawk bard, who sings. ISAAC Continue to listen! Thou who wert ruler... From the house of Sayenqueraghta, ANDREW, a 19 year-old Canadian-Hotinoshoni warrior, is carried by two SENECA WOMEN, who mourn in a low tone of voice, one to his right, one to his left. His face is not seen. Esther screams and approaches him. Jogues looks at the scene in horror. SAYENQUERAGHTA (continuing; to Nuchtahone and Riwato) Paying pity with envy; hospitality with betrayal. Esther unsheathes her knife. ISAAC Continue to listen! Thou who wert ruler. NUCHTAHONE Father Sayenqueraghta... They killed our... SAYENQUERAGHTA I speak to you Nuchtahone and Riwato, on behalf of the six-nation confederation. The lords of the Hotinoshoni have decided to expel you and cast you out. We disown you now and annul your adoption. It was you, not we, who committed wrong and caused this sentence of annulment. ISAAC That was the roll of you, you who were joined in the work. You who completed the work, the great league... He turns back and sees Esther caressing Andrew's head: he has lost his jaw, and instead a mass of bones and coagulated blood hangs out. Riwato attempts to cover his face with his hands, but... Sayenqueraghta grasps his hair and pushes his eyes in front of Andrew's. The drums stop. A melancholic flute is heard. Isaac looks at OHEO, a 17-year old girl, who plays the flute. Oheo keeps her eyes on him. Thayendanegea observes them. He peruses Oheo's body. ESTHER His cankerous breath has dried up his tongue and darkened his skull. That reddish liquor pours from his head into the white glimpses of Sayenqueraghta releases Riwatos face. ESTHER (continuing; to Andrew) Andrew, my faithful son, whereby free from an agonizing end. Esther stabs him. Andrew's pupils dilate and fade away. Jogues closes his eyes, turns around and leaves the scene. The Wise-Council members look untouched at the scene. Kanestie screams. Riwato looks at her. His face is covered by a cold sweat. A CHORUS OF THREE WOMEN cry softly accompanying Oheo's flute and Isaac's song: ISAAC Go to the everlasting river of the beaver that springs out from the fertile upper hill. Go and chase the white buffaloes of heaven. Happily the gods will assuage your grief. They will cure your wounds in new Hotinoshoni WARRIORS 3 & 4 approach Andrew's body Sayenqueraghta approaches them, and lifting Andrew's body walks towards a pyre. The two women who came escorting Andrew kneel down on Sayenqueraghta lays down Andrew's body on a pyre. He grasps a torch and fires it up. Gaiantwake stands up and leaves. Esther screams in a gesture of revolt and attempts to throw herself to the flames. She is taken by GENESEE, a 45-year old Seneca woman, and MACAWI, a 64-year old Huron woman. CUT TO: EXT. ONAQUAGA CITY, BEFORE A CATHOLIC CHURCH. NIGHT. Jogues prepares a horse besides the church--a clay brick construction. Isi approaches him. ISI Won't you act as the advocate of those men, father? JOGUES Last time I did it, they almost kill me. Jogues shows his mutilated hand. JOGUES I pray for the salvation of their souls. ISI There is something else you should know, father. Ganiodayo is blaming you for the failure of the crops. Jogues sighs and looks at Isi. JOGUES I know he has had vision. He wants me out of town. ISI Maybe you should leave. Sooner or later he will accuse you JOGUES I thank you, gentle Isi. But this is my flock. CUT TO: EXT. ONAQUAGA CITY, CENTRAL PARK. NIGHT. Nuchtahone looks defiantly at Sayenqueraghta. ISAAC (V.O) No sun will dry up our tears on account of Andrew's unburied bones. Isaac plays the drum. Riwato looks breathless at Sayenqueraghta. Kanestie frees herself from Gaiantwake's grasp and runs screaming towards Sayenqueraghta. P.O.V. of Kanestie as she runs. Hotinoshoni WARRIORS 5 & 6 cross before her and seize her, eclipsing thus her sight. She hears Riwato's scream. Hotinoshoni warriors 5 & 6 free her and she finds herself amidst an open circle. Her excitement vanishes. Her expression freezes with her mouth wide open. As a ghost she walks staring fixedly to to a given point. She stops, raises her head and looks at Sayenqueraghta. Sayenqueraghta looks at her. She looks at Sayenqueraghta's hands: they are tainted Kanestie fells on her knees. Gaiantwake sizes her. She faints. On the ground Kanestie lays on Gaiantwake's arms besides the stabbed twisted cadavers of her sons. CUT TO: INT. SAYENQUERAGHTA'S LOG HOUSE. NIGHT Sayenqueraghta drinks a reddish beverage from an earthen bowl. He's knelt down on the ground. Torches illuminate the interior of his wooden house--scalps hang down from the roof. Empty-sight Kanestie stands in the middle of the house, besides a brick chimney. Thayendanegea and Akiatonharonkwen look contemptuously at each other, each one seated to opposite sides of the house. Akiatonharonkwen's breaths loudly. There are five Hotinoshoni WARRIORS around the house. Sprawled around the house are Gaiantwake, Esther, Hiawatha and Deganawida. Each of them bears a small earthen bowl in their hands. Behind Sayenqueraghta there is a pile of overheated stones placed under an earthen pot, which contains the same reddish beverage Sayenqueraghta drinks. Oheo stirs the boiling beverage with a wooden-stick. GENESEE, a 55-year old Hotinoshoni woman fires up some dry branches and places them beneath the stones in a hole dug beneath the ground level. Macawi blows the fire with a corn-leave fan. Oniatario sets small earthen bowls. Sayenqueraghta stands up keeping a bowl in his hand. Esther nods her head. SAYENQUERAGHTA (to Kanestie) Neutrality is paramount to us. We cannot afford internal dissent, less for the possession of a woman. Why do you claim her, bold Thayendanegea? Kanestie raises her head. Oniatario looks at her. A glimpse of hate fires up on Kanestie's eyes, but it vanishes as she raises her head and meets Oniatario's eyes. Kanestie fixes her sight on the scalps hanging from the roof. Ganiodayo looks at the scene. THAYENDANEGEA She will be my mistress. There are whispers of contempt amongst the present. SAYENQUERAGHTA You barely know her. She is a foreigner to us. THAYENDANEGEA She is a Huron, brother. As it is Oniatario, my first wife. Oniatario raises her head. Most of the present whisper. Sayenqueraghta smiles bitterly. Oheo leans on Sayenqueraghta. GAIANTWAKE Is it true that you snatched her from noble Akiatonharonkwen in the candor of the battle? THAYENDANEGEA A Continental soldier was about to rape her. AKIATONHARONKWEN She is a fugitive. I captured her near Conewango. Thayendanegea pads the handle of his tomahawk. SAYENQUERAGHTA (to Kanestie) We give you the right to choose your protector. Kanestie stares at him and says nothing. Sayenqueraghta approaches Akiatonharonkwen. SAYENQUERAGHTA (to Akiatonharonkwen) Would you resign her, noble Akiatonharonkwen? AKIATONHARONKWEN I captured her first. THAYENDANEGEA Sure! From the British! SAYENQUERAGHTA Are you aware that with you actions you have compromised AKIATONHARONKWEN My arm alone has sent more souls to the prairies of heaven than those delivered by all my brothers put together. THAYENDANEGEA You must be very proud now that the British soldiers fear your name. SAYENQUERAGHTA (to Thayendanegea) Your eye distinguishes friend from foe and cowardice from betrayal. (loud) Who believes that this woman should be under the protection of noble Akiatonharonkwen? No one stirs. SAYENQUERAGHTA Under bold Thayendanegea? All right arms raise. SAYENQUERAGHTA (to Thayendanegea) Now take her and enjoy the pleasures of the night. Sayenqueraghta handles his earthen-bowl to Thayendanegea, who drinks from it. Oniatario conduces Kanestie to Thayendanegea. Kanestie's leg comes out amidst her rags. Akiatonharonkwen looks at her naked skin. He stands up. AKIATONHARONKWEN (to Sayenqueraghta) Why do you disdain my merits? Sayenqueraghta stares at him with wrath. Tecumseh and Hiawatha stand up from opposite points of Sayenqueraghta unsheathes his knife Gaiantwake steps between Sayenqueraghta and Akiatonharonkwen. GAIANTWAKE We cannot afford another dead, brother. Akiatonharonkwen nods his head. Sayenqueraghta nods his head. Whispers of relief are heard. Akiatonharonkwen looks upset. DEGANAWIDA (to Akiatonharonkwen) Increase your fury, matchless Akiatonharonkwen, and unleash it against our enemies. AKIATONHARONKWEN Who is our enemy, venerable Deganawida? I, who has always remained with the Hotinoshoni, or Thayendanegea, who went to England, just to learn too well the devices of the white? Screams and drums are heard. Onekwa enters all of a sudden. ONEKWA We are told that the Oneidas and the Tuscaroras are assisting the revolutionaries. Whispers are heard. ONEKWA We must join them now or suffer the consequences! DEGANAWIDA I don's trust the settlers. If we have to take a side, it must be with the British. SAYENQUERAGHTA Silence! Silence! Silence! Silence. SAYENQUERAGHTA British and revolutionaries! Is that all you can think on? They, like a two-head poisonous viper, attack and slave our land. We have now lived in Peace with them a long time and we must be resolved to continue to do so as long as we can. THAYENDANEGEA Have you asked yourself why the colonies started the war against the British wearing Hotinoshoni clothes in Boston? Because their King didn't allow them to take over our lands. They hate us, because we own the fields. Jefferson, Washington, Franklin, they are all mad, foolish, wicked, and deceitful. The settlers want to steal our valleys from us. But they will lose. ESTHER I have seen London, the most powerful city on earth. With castles that raise over the sky and touch heaven. They are strong as men. The colonies, weak as boys. They figh wars with rotten powder. We must side with the army of great father George. There are screams of support. Akiatonharonkwen calms them down with a gesture. AKIATONHARONKWEN Though I believe, noble Esther, mother of the Munsee, that your judgment against the Continental army is bias by the recent death of your son Andrew, I will contend your arguments. It is true the settlers have encroach'd on our Lands, but of this we shall speak to them. Oheo, Genesee and Macawi walk around the room pouring the reddish beverage on people's earthen bowls. AKIATONHARONKWEN If the British are so strong and they are just, as you say, a boy, why do they ask our assistance? If King George has so great plenty of warriors, powder, lead and goods, and the Continental men are so few and little of either, they will be strong and make good use of them. Oheo serves a bowl to Isaac. Isaac smiles at Oheo. She returns her smile. Oniatario looks at the scene. Isaac realizes it, faces Oniatario and turns around. AKIATONHARONKWEN (to Thayendanegea) You, bold Thayendanegea, have said their powder is rotten. I have found it good. You have said they are all mad, foolish, wicked, and deceitful. I say you are so and they are wise. Whispers are heard. HIAWATHA Neutrality is not an option, father Sayenqueraghta. We truly fear the foibles of your age. Whispers. Sayenqueraghta raises his chin. Sayenqueraghta observes the stern faces of his relatives SAYENQUERAGHTA Father Sayenqueraghta still has the strength of a bear. ESTHER Under your rule we have defeated the Cherokee and Choctaw. But we have also lost parts of the Genesee valley. Silence. Sayenqueraghta bends his neck. GAIANTWAKE Many augurs anticipated it. Still, father Sayenqueraghta managed to get our weapons in compensation for those territories. DEGANAWIDA Prudent Gaiantwake. Let's not make wrong appreciations about Washington's intentions. The pioneers will provide us with bayonets and ammunitions as long as we fight the British. GAIANTWAKE We must rely on Franklin's and Washington's support. Without them, the pioneers would be unruly. HIAWATHA Some pioneers are indeed unruly. Your father, for instance. He has been seen inside our territory. Hiawatha drinks his beverage. Gaiantwake remains silent for a moment. GAIANTWAKE He is one of our staunchest friends. Whispers are heard. HIAWATHA (ironic) Pioneers are members of the same family. (to Sayenqueraghta) Father Sayenqueraghta. Once their war be over, they'll come after us. GAIANTWAKE As long as we oppose resistance, we owe the west of the country. ESTHER Why should we accept the white men's will? We are the most powerful nation. HIAWATHA And the most vulnerable too. The west is wild. Are we going to relinquish our roads, our cities, our crops to the white invaders? Are we going to wait to be massacred or are we going to fight father Sayenqueraghta? SAYENQUERAGHTA We cannot fight them now. We'll make an alliance with the French. If necessary, we'll move westwards. Hiawatha looks at Esther. THAYENDANEGEA Who would like to ratify honorable Sayenqueraghta as our chief? Gaiantwake and Deganawida raise their hands. SAYENQUERAGHTA Tradition dictates I must finish this war! Sayenqueraghta looks at each of the members in the tend. Almost everybody avoids Sayenqueraghta's sight. Sayenqueraghta copes with Esther. ESTHER This evening the wise council has asked me to beg you, for our sake, to share your power with a young warrior as our chief. SAYENQUERAGHTA I respect your advise, noble Esther, and I submit to the will of the six-nation council. Sayenqueraghta drinks from his bowl. ESTHER It is necessary now to redefine our policies. AKIATONHARONKWEN Who still believes we must remain neutral? Sayenqueraghta, Oniatario, Macawi and Esther raise AKIATONHARONKWEN Who agrees we should ally with the British? Thayendanegea raises his hand. Akiatonharonkwen smiles. Akiatonharonkwens's smile vanishes as he sees more hands raising. Gaiantwake does not raise it up. AKIATONHARONKWEN You are all wrong! You are dividing the Hotinoshoni nation! HIAWATHA No, Akiatonharonkwen, you are. Akiatonharonkwen and Onekwa take out their tomahawks. GAIANTWAKE We should follow the will of the people, bold Akiatonharonkwen. THAYENDANEGEA Spies in Philadelphia tell us that you work for Reverend Kirkland. Akiatonharonkwen throws his tomahawk towards Thayendanegea, who skillfully avoids it. Sayenqueraghta takes out his knife. Akiatonharonkwen throws his body against the window pane, breaks the glasses and escapes out of the house. Hiawatha tries to follow him, but is checked by Onekwa, who cuts his arm with his knife. Hiawatha steps back. The warriors hesitate. Sayenqueraghta makes his way amongst the crowd. SAYENQUERAGHTA Why do you attack us, Onekwa? ONEKWA Father Sayenqueraghta... Onekwa drops his knife and fells kneeling down on Sayenqueraghta looks gravely at him. CUT TO: EXT. ONAQUAGA CITY, BEFORE A CATHOLIC CHURCH. NIGHT. Akiatonharonkwen runs carrying a tomahawk in his hands. He limps. Three Hotinoshoni WARRIORS follow him about one hundred yards behind him. Akiatonharonkwen fells on the ground. He looks at his leg, where a piece of glass has wounded him. Jogues offers him one of his arms. AKIATONHARÓNKWEN Father Jogues! JOGUES You can't run by yourself A arrow crosses the air besides them. Akiatonharonkwen takes Jogues hand. Jogues guides him into the church and closes the door. An arrow gets into the church's wood. The I. Warriors arrive, tensing their arches. They push the door. It does not open. Ganiodayo arrives. GANIODAYO We know he's there, Blackrobe! The door opens and Jogues faces the crowd. JOGUES God be with you all. Besides them Akiatonharonkwen, on horseback, comes out from the darkness and flees. GANIODAYO You helped him to escape! JOGUES God protects him. Ganiodayo jumps over Jogues, who fells on the ground. Ganiodayo takes out his tomahawk, but his hand is grasped GAIANTWAKE You don't want to provoke God's wrath. Ganiodayo looks at him. GANIODAYO How did he escape? Ganiodayo drops his tomahawk. Jogues looks at him. GANIODAYO He is a sorcerer! CUT TO: EXT. OUTSIDE SAYENQUERAGHTA'S LOG HOUSE. DAY. Sayenqueraghta looks at a deer, wich is being roasted around a fire. Macawi hands out pieces of its meat to Deganawida, Hiawatha, Gaiantwake and Oheo, which are seated on the ground. DAGANAWIDA Hiawatha and I believe Gaiantwake would prove to be an outstanding commander. His is half Hotinoshoni, half white. SAYENQUERAGHTA His father is fighting against us. GAIANTWAKE My sympathy for the Continental Army is buried. I am a Seneca, a British and a loyalist. Sayenqueraghta examines his face. SAYENQUERAGHTA Akiatonharonkwen's dissidence has split our nation. I'm afraid that whoever wins, all the Hotinoshoni will be accused of siding with the enemy. Isaac enters with a bottle of rum. He is followed by Jeremias, who carries a wooden box. Oheo's countenance shines. ISAAC Accept this present from my father, wise Sayenqueraghta. Sayenqueraghta receives the bottle, opens it and drinks. Jeremias places the box in front of Sayenqueraghta and opens it: it contains twelve rum bottles. Isaac sits down besides Oheo. Sayenqueraghta passes the bottle on. SAYENQUERAGHTA How can I repay this gift? ISAAC My father wish you a happy evening. HIAWATHA (whispering, to Daganawida) He would like to adjunct his name to Sayenqueraghta's in this war. Hiawatha and Daganawida look at Gaiantwake, who raises his chin up. SAYENQUERAGHTA I will give bold Thayendanegea my daughter as his second wife. Whispers are heard. Isaac looks at Oheo in surprise. Oheo looks at his father with wide-open eyes. CUT TO: INT. THAYENDANEGEA'S LOG HOUSE. NIGHT Under the light of a torch, Oniatario and a SENECA WOMEN remain seated down on the ground. Kanestie lies naked in a bed made of deer's and bear's skins. Thayendanegea drinks from a clay cup. He appears to be upset. He throws the cup against the floor. Isaac looks at him. ISAAC Would you accept her father? THAYENDANEGEA I'm obliged. Isaac searches for a sentence. Thayendanegea realizes it. THAYENDANEGEA I know you love her. But she won't be your wife. ISAAC Father... You once were a Christian. THAYENDANEGEA Now leave me alone. Tears run over Isaac's countenance. He exits the log house. Thayendanegea gets naked into the bend and makes love to Kanestie, who doesn't react. Her expression is blank. CUT TO: EXT. BEFORE THAYENDANEGEA'S LOG HOUSE. DAY Jeremias, in Hotinoshoni outfit, sharpens a knife over Kanestie comes out and looks at the moon. Her eyes are watery. Jeremias approaches her. JEREMIAS It's not easy to lose your privileges. Kanestie looks at him. KANESTIE I barely know you, and you are my only friend. She looks around. She moves towards the forest. Jeremias peruses her body. She turns around, looks at Jeremias and disappears into Jeremias drops his knife and follows her. CUT TO: EXT. GAIANTWAKE'S LONGHOUSE. NIGHT The full moon gleams on the sky. A wolf howls. TITLE CARD July, 1777. Isi, kneeling down on the ground, prays in front of an image of Virgin Mary. Behind her we see a longhouse. A noise is heard. Isi stands up and faces Gaiantwake, who emerges from the darkness. Isi smiles, steps down and embraces him. ISI Would you stay with us? Tecumseh runs out of the longhouse and embraces him. Gaiantwake takes Isi's face in his hands. GAIANTWAKE I came to prepare my arms. I was chosen as the adjunct chief. Isi's smile fades off. TECUMSEH Why did you accept to be their commander, father? Gaiantwake smiles and pads Tecumseh. GAIANTWAKE White men respect me. TECUMSEH How so? P.O.V. of an ASSASSIN, a 36-year old white man who, bearing a knife in his teeth looks at Tecumseh, Gaiantwake and Isi from the branches of a tree. Giantwake stares on his direction as the Assassin takes out his bayonet. GAIANTWAKE Your grandfather is Dutch. They value men by their birth. The Hotinoshoni value me for my valor and strength. Luck has never raised their admiration. Even if you are my son, you will have to prove to the Hotinoshoni that you are a courageous man. A noise of a broken branch is heard. Tecumseh's countenace shows surprise for an instant, and then joy. TECUMSEH I can do that. He blinks his eye to Gaiantwake, who appears to ignore GAIANTWAKE Can you throw a spear? He enters into the house. Gaiantwake stands up looking at the distance. ISI And if the continental army wins...? Gaiantwake assents with a gesture. The assassin spies them from the forest. GAIANTWAKE That's war. I don't like the British, but we must respect the decision of the majority. Pray to our ancestors for our victory. I still trust on Father Sayenqueraghta. The assassin triggers his bayonet. A broken branch noise ISI Will he continue as our chief? Gaiantwake embraces her. His forefront sweats. GAIANTWAKE Yes, he will. I respect him. All of a sudden, Gaiantwake throws his body and Isi's to A shot is heard. The assassin drops his bayonet and takes out his knife from his mouth. He faces Tecumseh, who pins him down with a spear, impeding him thus to throw his knife. Gaiantwake and Isi arrive on the scene. Gaiantwake peruses the face of the dead. GAIANTWAKE He is one of the Paxton boys. TECUMSEH Paxton Boys? GAIANTWAKE A group of cowards that murder defenseless Indians. Children and women, all of them Christians. TECUMSEH What are they doing here? GAIANTWAKE They want blood. ISI How did he come here? GAIANTWAKE We have a traitor. ISI Thayendanegea? TECUMSEH He may resent your command now. GAIANTWAKE No. He is an intelligent man. ISI Don't underestimate him. He has learned from the British how to conceal his designs. GAIANTWAKE (sober) You must move to a safer place. CUT TO: EXT. ONAQUAGA CITY, CENTRAL PARK. TWILIGHT. BRITISH OFFICERS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and Butler scort GENERAL BURGOYNE, who walks accompanied by Thayendanegea and Sayenqueraghta. Five Hotinoshoni WARRIORS carry torches. GENERAL BURGOYNE Our plan is to divide New England from the southern colonies. How many Hotinoshoni warriors do you have, captain Thayendanegea? THAYENDANEGEA About eight thousand. SAYENQUERAGHTA Fifteen thousand, if we count our women. BUTLER We'll provide you with bayonets and ammunitions, Fater Sayenqueraghta. GENERAL BURGOYNE You must attack Fort Stanwix by the end of the summer. They arrive to Sayenqueraghta's log house. GENERAL BURGOYNE A remarkable construction. He sees the church. GENERAL BURGOYNE Is that a church? THAYENDANEGEA Half of our nation is catholic, General. GENERAL BURGOYNE I see the Jesuits have not been wasting their time. CUT TO: INT. SAYENQUERAGHTA'S HOUSE. NIGHT. Oniatario's long hair is combed by Macawi. The are both seated on the floor. Jeremias blows a small fire with a fan. Ganiodayo drinks General Burgoyne is seen with Thayendanegea on his right side and Sayenqueraghta on his left side. They three are seated on a small chair. BRITISH OFFICERS 1 and 2 stand around him. Jogues is seated in front of him. They listen to Isaac, who plays the drum, and to Oheo, who plays the flute. Seated on the floor, we see Deganawida, Hiawatha, ASSASSIN 2 and ASSASSIN 3. ISAAC (in pain) We who are here present thank the Great Spirit that we are here to praise him. We thank him that he has created men and women, and ordered that these beings shall always be living to multiply the earth. Isaac and Oheo look at each other. Thayendanegea GENERAL BURGOYNE (to Thayendanegea) Who are they? THAYENDANEGEA Isaac, my son, and Oheo, Sayenqueraghta's daughter. GANIODAYO A tender girl that happens to be Thayendanegea's new bride. Isaac and Oheo stop playing. Thayendanegea caresses his tomahawk. GENERAL BURGOYNE She doesn't seem very happy about the prospect. JOGUES They love each other, General. General Burgoyne looks at Theyandenega. GENERAL BURGOYNE I haven't been able yet to understand the moral of this brave new world. But that's an exceptional plot for a play. Don't you think, father? JOGUES For a tragedy, perhaps. THAYENDANEGEA (impatient) We are enticed by the music. Please continue. Isaac and Oheo go on. ISAAC We thank Him for making the earth and giving these beings its products to live on. We thank Him for the water that comes out of the earth and runs for our lands. Oheo's eyes drop tears while playing. Isaac looks intensively at her. Jeremias looks at the hand of assassin 3, which handles a knife. Jeremias stands up and moves away. ISAAC We thank Him for all the animals on the earth. We thank Him for certain timbers that grow and have fluids coming from them for us all. We thank Him for the branches of the trees that grow shadows for our shelter. Jeremias takes from the wall a cooking knife. He stares at the scene from a mirror. ISAAC We thank Him for the beings that come from the west, the thunder and lightning that water the earth. We thank Him for the light which we call our oldest brother, the sun that works for our good. Jeremias approaches the assassins, concealing his knife. ISAAC We thank Him for all the fruits that grow on the trees and vines. We thank Him for his goodness in making the forests, and thank all its trees. We thank Him for the darkness that gives us rest, and for the kind being of the darkness that gives us light, the moon... Jeremias cuts with the knife the throat of assassin 3. Assassin 2 springs forward taking out his knife. He attacks Butler, who shuns him and rolls on the floor. Oheo screams. ASSASSIN 2 This is for Pontiac! Assassin 2 throws his knife towards General Burgoyne. Thayendanegea raises his tomahawk, whose blade checks the knife just on time to protect him. ISAAC Father! Thayendanegea throws his tomahawk and cracks assassin Thayendanegea takes the knife out of his hand. SAYENQUERAGHTA Traitors! Deganawida and Hiawatha stand up. Oniatario places a tomato on Sayenqueraghta's hand. General Burgoyne examines assassin 2, who still breaths. ASSASSIN 2 I... I want an absolution. Jogues steps in and blesses him. JOGUES Ego te absolvum. In nomine patriis et filius et spiritus sancti. GENERAL BURGOYNE He is one of yours. (to Thayendanegea; cold) I hope you'll be able to honor your commitments. General Burgoyne exits followed by Butler. CUT TO: EXT. FOREST. DAY Oheo takes a bath in the river. She sees Macawi, who gathers fruits from bushes nearby. A flute is heard. Oheo looks surprised. OHEO Do you listen? MACAWI It was only yesterday you were a baby-girl. Now you have a sweetheart. OHEO Would you talk to father Jogues? Macawi smiles at her, stands up and moves away. Oheo smiles. From the branches of a bush, Isaac looks at her as he plays the flute. Oheo swims to the shore and gets out naked. CUT TO: EXT. CONTINENTAL ARMY CAMP. DAY A long wooden wall spreads out over a small meadow. TITLE CARD Fort Stanwix, August 1777. Heavy cannons jut out from the wooden walls. Gorham and Phelps, two Continental Soldiers, and CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS 1 and 2 march from the camp towards the woods. They all carry bayonets. PHELPS Are you happy to be posted outside the fort? Why did you answer him back? GORHAM He was wrong! PHELPS It doesn't matter. He's your Captain! GORHAM May be we find a gorgeous Indian girl around. PHELPS Hush up! Wearing Continental Army outfits, Gaiantwake and Thayendanegea march from the woods towards the camps. They carry bayonets. From a wooden tower, CONTINENTAL SOLDIER 5 looks at the two groups approaching to each other. P.O.V. from Gorham: Gaiantwake and Thayendanegea conceal their faces under the shadow of their huts. C. soldier 5 is pierced by a flying arrow. Gaiantwake and Thayendanegea throw out their hats. Phelps looks at the tower. He looks then at C. soldier 1 and 2, who fell under the tomahawks of Gaiantwake and Thayendanegea. Gorham scream,throw his bayonet and runs into the woods. Gorham shoots, but with such nervousness that the shot goes into the air. Gaiantwake takes out his knife and Gorham throws his bayonet and runs away into the woods. Gaiantwake and Thayendanegea scalp their victims. Arrows are shot over Gorham and Phelps. They stop and look in astonishment to the small meadow, now covered by hundreds of Senecas that rapidly advance towards the wall. Phelps and Gorham turn around and run towards the fort. Sayenqueraghta comes out from the woods, leading a detachment of two hundred bayonet-armed Hotinoshoni WARRIORS. Women and servants follow them carrying ammunitions, amongst them Oniatario and Jeremias. They are lead by Esther. Oniatario aims an arrow to Gorham. She throws it. Gorham trips down on the ground, just on time to avoid Phelps throws himself on the ground, just besides Phelps and takes out his knife. Hotinoshoni WARRIORS 7, 8 & 9 advance screaming towards Gorham and Phelps, who embrace to each other. The Continental cannons implode. Hotinoshoni Warriors 7, 8 & 9 fell smashed by cannonballs. SAYENQUERAGHTA (to Gaiantwake) They have reinforcements! We must attack them first! About twenty Continental soldiers appear with bayonets over the edge of the wooden fence. They scream and shoot. Thayendanegea and Gaiantwake shoot and three of them fell deadly wounded. Sayenqueraghta rears his horse up on its back legs. SAYENQUERAGHTA To Bloody Creek! The Hotinoshoni step back into the woods. Gorham and Phelps follow them screaming with their knifes out. Cannonballs are shot. Gorham and Phelps scream and change the direction, just on time to avoid a cannonball. They run into the woods. Too late they realize there is no ground ahead. They both fell into a river. CUT TO: INT. CHURCH AT ONAQUAGA CITY. DAY. Isaac and Oheo are knelt down in front of the altar. Jogues, before them, reads a ceremonial book. Their ceremony is being attended by Macawi, Genesee JOGUES Ego vos in matrimonium conjungo, in nomine patriis et filius et spiritus sancti. Isaac and Oheo look at each other. CUT TO: EXT. BLOODY CREEK. DAY HERKIMER, a 49-year man descends on horseback onto Bloody Creek. He wears a clean uniform and handles a gleaming sword. About eight hundred CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS and ONEIDAS He halts and looks at his troops. He is accompanied by HANYERRY, a 29-year old Oneida chief. The forest appears to be quiet. HERKIMER Are we near Fort Stanwix? HANYERRY About ten miles. HERKIMER They should have shot three cannon balls by now. HANYERRY We are still on time to return to Mohawk Valley. We can wait there for the signal. HERKIMER That would be wise. But my enemies won't hesitate to call me a tory. Silence. They cross Bloody Creek. HANYERRY Why would they do that? Herkimer looks at him with impatience and moves ahead. CONTINENTAL OFFICER 1 joins Hanyerry. CONTINENTAL OFFICER 1 His brother is a loyalist... HERKIMER (loud; to his troops) Time to ascend. They start to ascend the slope of the hill. CUT TO: INT. THEYANDENAGA'S LOG HOUSE. DAY. Isaac and Oheo make love. They are spied by Kanestie. CUT TO: EXT. BLOODY CREEK. DAY Suddenly Herkimer and Hanyerry hear the chirping of a bird. Hanyerry takes out his tomahawk. HERKIMER (nervuous; whispering) Is it an animal? HANYERRY Perhaps. HERKIMER Can't you tell? The chirping is heard again. A bird flies away. Hanyerry throws his tomahawk. The bird fells on the ground, wounded by the tomahawk. Hanyerry looks relieved at Herkimer. Suddenly Hanyerry's neck is pierced by an arrow from side to side. Herkimer takes out his sword and turns around on his horse. HERKIMER Ambush! Shots are heard. twenty CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS fell wounded onto the ground. Herkimer's horse fell dead. CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 y 10 protect Herkimer and unsaddle him from his horse. Herkimer sees his leg shattered by a bullet. Jeremias plays the Native-American horn. Two hundred Hotinoshoni WARRIORS, lead by Thayendanegea, come out from the woods. They are mostly armed with tomahawks. Sayenqueraghta cuts the head of CONTINENTAL SOLDIER 11 with his tomahawk. Herkimer is brought by the officers to the shadow of a CONTINENTAL OFFICER 1 We will take you to the fort. HERKIMER I won't go. Dam it! I will face the enemy! Bring the cannon! Onekwa sees a bunch of cadavers, piled up before a group of Continental soldiers in the middle of the meadow as a trench against the enemy. Beyond he sees the slow march of a cannon ball. CONTINENTAL OFFICER 2 raises his sword over cannon. ESTHER Destroy the cannon first! The cannon implodes. Several Seneca Native Americans fell dead or/and wounded. Gaiantwake takes out an arrow from his quiver and throws it to Continental Officer 2, who fells dead. Continental Officer 1 approaches Herkimer. CONTINENTAL OFFICER 1 I demand an immediate cease of fire. We must sign a truce with the Senecas. HERKIMER If you don't die I will imprison you for insubordination! Tecumseh jumps over Continental Officer 1 and breaks his skull with his tomahawk. CUT TO: EXT. PARIS, PASSY STREET. NIGHT. WENTWORTH, disguised as a beggar, knocks on a door. A FRENCH MAID opes the door. FRENCH MAID There is no food. FRANKLIN (V.O.) Let him in, Brigitte. From the opposite street a FRENCH SPY takes notes. He sees Franklin, who nods his head at him and closes the door. The French jumps into a carriage. FRENCH SPY Au le ministère! Maintenant! CUT TO: INT. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN'S HOUSE AT PASSY. NIGHT Wentworth, still in beggar's clothes, smokes a cigar. He is seated in a small room with Franklin. WENTWORTH The kingdom of your majesty is willing to forgive all your previous offenses. Your taxes will be cut off and our commercial relations will be reestablished. FRANKLIN Those were demands we made a long time ago at Whitehall. At that time no British General had been defeated by our army. WENTWORTH Your army? You underestimate the power of your majesty to regroup forces. Besides, most of the Hotinoshoni nation support us. The French maid enters. FRANKLIN Tell King George we want a full recognition of our Independence WENTWORTH That's unacceptable. FRANKLIN (to the French maid) Have they arrived? FRENCH MAID Count Vergennes and his wife. Franklin stands up and takes his hat. A perplexed Wentworth stands up. WENTWORTH You just use me! This is not the proper behavior of a gentleman Doctor Franklin. Franklin gets out of the room. CUT TO: EXT. BLOODY CREEK. NIGHT. Over a field covered by CADAVERS OF CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS, Gorham and Phelps search the pockets of the officers. PHELPS So, now it's my fault? GORHAM The dead won't miss what they left in their pockets. Look at that! Gorham shows a golden watch. PHELPS We cannot comeback to the fort. We are dead as smoked salmon. A step is heard. CONTINENTAL SOLDIER 39 (V.O.) Who are you? GORHAM By heavens! It was horrible! They killed them all! CONTINENTAL SOLDIER 40 (V.O) Robbers! Gorham and Phelps look around and raise their arms. They are surrounded by ten CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS, who aim at them with muskets. CUT TO: EXT. VERSAILLES. NIGHT. The palace of Versailles is seen from the distance. TITLE CARD Versailles. From a carriage step down COUNT VERGENNES, a 61-year old man, ANNETTE Duvivier, Comtesse de Vergennes, Franklin, wearing a beaver hat, BEAUMARCHAIS, FRENCH GUARDS 1 & 2, three FRENCH MAIDS and two FRENCH SERVANTS. CUT TO: INT. MAIN HALL AT VERSAILLES. NIGHT. A group of musicians play a serenade. Nobles talk and drink wine in small groups. Their faces are whiten by their heavy make-up. KING LOUIS XVI is seated in the center of the room. MARIE ANTOINETTE accompanies him. Count Vergennes advances towards the King, followed by Anette, Franklin and Beaumarchais. Franklin's absence of make-up makes a startling contrast with the concurrence. Franklin takes out his hat. Vergennes bends before the King. VERGENNES Your majesty... The King looks at them. KING LOUIS XVI Count Vergennes. MARIE ANTOINETTE You must be doctor Franklin. Franklin nods his head. FRANKLIN I'm honored to be able to admire your legendary beauty, MARIE ANTOINETTE With your words of introduction you have already charmed me, doctor Fanklin. FRANKLIN Time is money, my Queen. ANNETTE He has enchanted all Paris, your majesty. Lavosier calls him our rustic new world genius. Vergennes nods his head to King Louis. KING LOUIS XVI I beg you, Comtesse, to introduce Doctor Franklin to the court. VERGENNES I bet they are many a lady eager to meet him. Annette leads Franklin away. KING LOUIS XVI Tell me, Count Vergennes, what do the spies say, exactly? VERGENNES Monsieur Beaumarchais... Beaumarchais advances and kneels down. BEAUMARCHAIS Doctor Franklin was visited by Wentworth at Passy about three hours ago. KING LOUIS XVI Wentworth? VERGENNES An English spy, your excellency. BEAUMARCHAIS It appears there is an imminent reconciliation between the British and the Americans. VERGENNES Unless we sign the treaty. Beaumarchais assents nodding his head. KING LOUIS XVI I see. What do the bourbons in Spain say? VERGENNES They have procrastinated their response. KING LOUIS XVI (skeptical) We would be alone then. VERGENNES Our treasure is almost empty, but we can supply them with loans. BEAUMARCHAIS I don't doubt the Americans will be able to pay us back our services, with interests. KING LOUIS XVI What would your majesty say? MARIE ANTOINETTE I believe they should be free. VEGENNES Your vassals are elated by the American victory at KING LOUIS XVI Marquis de Lafayette was right, then. BEAUMARCHAIS They are truly a new nation. KING LOUIS XVI I have been informed, though, that they have lost the city of New York, and that they been repeatedly defeated by the Hotinoshoni aborigines. MARIE ANTOINETTE (to Vergennes) Is it true? Vergennes hesitates. Beaumarchais intervenes. BEAUMARCHAIS Rome was also sacked by the Huns, your majesty. But the empire prevailed. KING LOUIS XVI (laughing) Very witty. BEAUMARCHAIS The natives of America have murdered some patriots, your majesty. And in the most horrible way. Doctor Franklin tells us that they cut their enemies' head skin before they die. MARIE ANTOINETTE Good heavens! How can they...? BEAUMARCHAIS There are savages, my Queen. MARIE ANTOINETTE We must help them, Louis... KING LOUIS XVI Did you alrady sign that treaty, Count Vergennes? CUT TO: EXT. VALLEY FORGE. DAY. A war drum is heard. Over the valley covered by snow, Phelps and Gorham, two Continental Soldiers, are tied up each one to a post by CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS 39 & 40. Washington oversees the scene. GORHAM Oh, God, please, save me! C. Soldiers 39 & 40 rejoin a firing squad of ten CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS. A horse rider gallops from the distance. CONTINENTAL OFFICER 6 advances with a document in his hands and reads. CONTINENTAL OFFICER 6 Charles Phelps and Samuel Gorham. You both have been accused and found guilty of desertion, insubordination and robbery. The penalty, by General Washington decree, is death. Continental officer 6 nods his head to CONTINENTAL OFFICER 7, who takes out his sword. The horse rider comes into sight: KNOX, a chubby 26-year C. Officer raises his sword. Washington stands up. CONTINENTAL OFFICER 7 Ready! The firing squad soldiers raise their bayonets. Phelps sobs. PHELPS I shouldn't have listen to you. Knox dismounts his horse and approaches Washington. CONTINENTAL OFFICER 7 Aim! The firing squad soldiers aim at the two men. KNOX It has pleased the Almighty Ruler of the universe to defend the course of the United States. C. Officer 7 looks at Knox. Washington looks anxiously at Knox. KNOX France has recognized our independence. WASHINGTON (to C. Officer 7) It becomes us to set apart a day for gratefully acknowledging the Divine goodness, and celebrating the important event which we owe to his Divine interposition. Captain! These men are pardoned. The soldiers scream out of joy and throw their hats to the air. GORHAM Long Live the King of France! CUT TO: EXT. VALLEY FORGE. DAY. Washington, wearing a coat and a hat, oversees the valley covered by snow. Knox stands by Washington's side. A group of ten thin and worn-out CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS build a log-made hut. WASHINGTON Unless some great and capital change takes place, this army must inevitably starve, dissolve, or disperse in order to obtain subsistence in the best manner they can. A bony horse is brought forward by CONTINENTAL OFFICER 7. KNOX Some men have died, many more will die. I'm confident, though, that those fated to prevail over the inclemency of cold, defeat and humiliation, will eventually bring independence to this nation. The horse suddenly escapes and trots heavily on the snow. It collapses and dies. The Continental Soldiers take out their knifes and run towards the horse, which is cut into pieces. KNOX Hunger is the only need that evinces our closeness to the beasts. WASHINGTON I blame the Indians, General Knox. They are the masters of hit-and-run tactics. By burning the Pennsylvania plantations of wheat and corn they have brought us to our knees. There are members of Congress who demand a campaign of retaliation against the Hotinoshoni. KNOX They are quite desperate, General. They have reasons to hate us. Painfully, they have come to understand that we rarely honor our treaties. WASHINGTON We are obliged to seize as much Indian land as possible. Otherwise the Spaniards or the French will do it. KNOX Colonists regard the Hotinoshoni as animals. A war against them would cost us dear. Don't you believe that our treatment of the Indians contradict the republican principles that have illuminated our Independence? WASHINGTON We can't treat them like any other foreign nation. KNOX We must be fair with them, General. We came here to take over their lands. Washington wonders looking at the soldiers, who eat the row meat of the horse. CUT TO: EXT. ONAQUAGA CITY, CENTRAL PARK. DAY. Gaiantwake, Thayendanegea, Sayechtehana, Deganawida, Hiawatha, Tecumseh and Esther are seated on the ground. CALDWELL, a 27-year old British soldier, speaks to them. He is seated on the ground. Butler, a 42-year old British commander stands besides him. CALDWELL Though we've been defeated twice in a single year, our spirit hasn't been broken. Neither the alliance of the French King, nor the defeat of Saratoga will take us way from the road to victory. THAYENDANEGEA We have accomplished our duty, Commander Caldwell. General Burgoyne, on the other hand, proved to be an unexperienced warrior. CALDWELL Burgoyne will have to face a dishonorable rebuke after his return to England. I can't picture him again on the battlefield. He most surely will spend the rest of his life gardening at home. GAIANTWAKE Blessed are those who have a home where to return. Witouth a single defeat, we, the Hotinoshoni, are losing the war, and our lands. CALDWELL I can assure you that England will prevail. SAYENQUERAGHTA What do you want from us? CALDWELL To attack Forty Fort, in the Wyoming Valley. The members of the council whisper to each other. Kanestie enters with a bowl of water, which she hands out DEGANAWIDA They are out of our territory. What have they done to us, that we should attack them without provocation? BUTLER (haughty) This a continental war. You should be prepared to mobilize your troops according to our instructions. The members of the council whisper to each other. They look at Butler with contempt. CALDWELL (conciliatory) There is a commander there, notorious for his hate against the children of the Great Spirit--A leader of the Paxton boys: Lazarus Steward. The members of the council whisper to each other. Kanestie takes advantage of the moment and speaks KANESTIE Your son is making love to your new bride. Kanestie smiles and moves away. She is observed by Macawi. Thayendanegea's countenance gets still. SAYENQUERAGHTA The Great Spirit wants us to revenge on him all Screams of support are heard. Thayendanegea stands up. CUT TO: INT. THAYENDANEGEA'S LOG HOUSE. NIGHT. Naked in a bed, Oheo and Isaac make love. Kanestie and Oniatario are seated on the ground. ISAAC (V.O) We thank the Great Spirit that we have the privilege of this pleasant occasion. Thayendanegea enters and look at them. ISAAC (V.O) We give thanks for the persons who can sing the Great Spirit's music, and hope they will be privileged to continue in his faith. Thayendanegea takes out his tomahawk. ISAAC (V.O) We thank the Great Spirit for all the persons who perform the ceremonies on this occasion. Oheo looks at Thayendanegea and screams. ISAAC We got married, father! THAYENDANEGEA You won't ever be a Christian. Isaac jumps on the floor and takes out a knife. He jumps over Thayendanegea, who avoids his attack. Isaac attacks him again. Thayendanegea takes the blade of the knife with his hand, which bleeds, and hits Isaac. Isaac fells on the ground. Thayendanegea tomahwaks him. OHEO No! No! No! Oheo cries. Kanestie smiles. CUT TO: EXT. FIELD BEFORE FORTY FORT. DAY. Shots and screams are heard. Led by Thayendanegea, two hundred Hotinoshoni WARRIORS move like serpents over the grass, shooting at the Continental soldiers 12 to 25, who shoot in return from the fence of their wooden wall. TITLE CARD Battle of Wyoming, summer 1778. Sayenqueraghta, on horseback, surveys the scene from the top of the hill. A cannon, placed besides him, aims at the wall of the fort. STEWARD, a 44-year old Continental commander, leads a group of Yankees and Native Americans, who come out to face the enemy. Sayenqueraghta nods his head. Deganawida fires up the rear of the cannon. CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS 26 to 32 fly over the air. The wooden wall crumbles into pieces by the impact of a second cannonball. A standing wooden wall is climbed up by twenty Hotinoshoni WARRIORS, Gaiantwake and Onekwa, with the only help of their tomahawks and knifes. CUT TO: EXT. FORTY FORT. DAY CONTINENTAL OFFICER 3, ten ONEIDA WARRIORS and Akiatonharonkwen fell onto the floor of the deck by the impact of the cannonball. Their bodies slide over the logs that fall over the grass. CUT TO: EXT. FIELD BEFORE FORTY FORT. DAY. Thayendanegea advances over the wooden wall. His left arm shows a bullet wound. He fights with CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS 33, 34 & 35; their bayonets against his tomahawk and his knife. Sayenqueraghta leads his forces against the fort. CONTINENTAL OFFICER 4 raises from the ground and waves his sword against the Senecas. Both forces clash in disorder. Tecumseh breaks the skull of Continental Officer 4. Akiatonharonkwen, besides the falling wall, holds his bow, stretches his arrow and aims at Gaiantwake. The series of falling logs fall over Akiatonharonkwen. Sayenqueraghta kills and scalps CONTINENTAL OFFICER 5. STEWART To the ground! The Continental forces fall onto the ground. The cannons of the interior garrison shoot their cannonballs over the Continental heads. The field is confused by smoke, blood and Seneca bodies. P.O.V. of Gaiantwake, who boldly jumps over CONTINENTAL SOLDIER 36, whom he kills. He moves on towards Stewart. CONTINENTAL SOLDIER 37 sees Thayendanegea fighting with Continental CONTINENTAL SOLDIER 38. Contiental soldier 37 aims his bayonet to Thayendanegea. A shot is heard. Continental soldier 37 fells dead. Behind him, Butler advances leading three hundred AFRICAN-AMERICAN LOYALIST SOLDIERS. Gaiantwake moves through the smoke and attacks Steward, who avoids him. Steward throws his bayonet and returns to the fort. Gaiantwake aims at him with an arrow. Stewart raises his head and his hand in a sheltering gesture. An arrow crosses the sky. The arrow pierces Steward's hand. He screams. Head and hand are united by the arrow. Akiatonharonkwen, raising from the debris, sees Steward waving out his sword. Gaiantwake reaches Stewart. GAIANTWAKE This is for the Conestoga Massacre. He handles up his tomahawk on the air. From the sky, the continental soldiers run away from the fort. They are chased and killed by the Hotinoshoni. Loyalist soldiers burn the fort. The sun goes down. Akiatonharonkwen and several Oneida warriors gallop away on their horses. CUT TO: EXT. ESTHER'S LONGHOUSE. DAY. An Hotinoshoni drum is heard. Carrying a tomahawk in her left hand, red-painted Esther moves in front of her longhouse examining the faces of ten wounded ONEIDA PRISONERS and six battered CONTINENTAL ARMY PRISONERS. They form a circle--tied up by their hands, each one to a post. They are surrounded by twenty Hotinoshoni WARRIORS. Esther halts before the face of 37-year old SHOEMAKER. ESTHER Are you Sullivan? SHOEMAKER No, madam. ESTHER Killing a woman and child, and then Scalping them... SHOEMAKER I'm Lieutenant Elijah Shoemaker, madam. I fell prisoner in Wyoming. Esther looks angrily at him. Shoemaker looks in horror at her and then at her tomahawk, which is lift onto the air. CUT TO: EXT. GAIANTWAKE'S LONGHOUSE. NIGHT Two ONEGA WARRIOR, Phelps and Gorham, hidden in the bushes, look at Gaiantwake's longhouse. A weak light shines from inside. GORHAM (whispering) This is the boundary of the Seneca country. We should return to the fort. ONEGA WARRIOR 1 There are no horses around. ONEGA WARRIOR 2 We must revenge our brothers. The Onega Warrior's look at each other. They take out PHELPS Shouldn't we wait for reinforcements? The Onega Warriors look at them in defiance. GORHAM We cannot affort another trial for disobedience. Phelps and Gorham step back and mount on their horses. PHELPS We thank you for guiding us here. But now we can return by ourselves. CUT TO: INT. GAIANTWAKE'S LONGHOUSE. NIGHT. Lit by a single candle, Isi prepares a corn cake. She hears the sound of a horse neighing. She picks up a knife and goes to the door. CUT TO: EXT. GAIANTWAKE'S LONGHOUSE. NIGHT. Isi comes out from her home, bearing her knife. She observes the field. ISI Tecumseh? Isi hears silence in return. She sees a wild horse She relax the knife and sighs. The arm of O. Warrior 1 embraces her from the neck. O. Warrior 2 rips off her clothes. CUT TO: EXT. O'BAILS LOG HOUSE. DAY. Mounted on horses, Hotinoshoni WARRIORS 10 and 11 throw torches into a log-house, which burns into flames. Hotinoshoni WARRIOR 12 scalps a male victim nearby. O'BAIL, a 55-year old Dutch man, lies on the floor. His leg is wounded. Onekwa approaches him with a knife in his hand. O'BAIL Do it at once, you, damn it! Onekwa takes out his tomahawk. He raises it on the air. His hand is checked by Gaiantwake's hand. I. Onekwa turns around, quite surprised. He sees Orengowah and ten Hotinoshoni WARRIORS behind Gaiantwake. GAIANTWAKE These are civilians! Why did you burn their house? ONEKWA He's our enemy! GAIANTWAKE He's my father! O'Bail looks at Gaiantwake in disbelief. Onekwa bends his head and retires. O'BAIL I haven't seen you in twenty years. Gaiantwake looks at him with certain shyness. Orengowah kneels down over O'Bail and rips off the clothing covering his wound. GAIANTWAKE I offer you my apologies in the name of the Seneca nation. ORENGOWAH It's only a scratch. He will recover soon. Orengowah takes out a mixture of leaves and places them on his wound, which is strapped by a piece of clothing. O'BAIL They burned my furs! GAIANTWAKE These are no time for trading, father. Are you loyalist O'BAIL I know how to take care of myself. ORENGOWAH He's a colonist. We cannot leave him by himself. Gaiantwake takes O'Bail's face in his hands. GAIANTWAKE Listen to me, father. You can either come and fight with us and the loyalists, or my men can escort you back to New Jersey. O'BAIL (touched) I will return then. Gaiantwake smiles sadly at him. CUT TO: EXT. GAIANTWAKE'S LONGHOUSE. NIGHT Tecumseh gallops his horse. He arrives to the front of TECUMSEH Oh, God! Tecumseh dismounts his horse. He screams as he sees the scalped naked cadaver of Isi on the ground. He raises his head just on time to avoid the impact of O. Warrior's tomahawk. He takes out his knife and stabs O. Warrior 1 before he's able to attack him again. He attempts to stand up, but he's nailed to the floor by the spear of O. Warrior 2, who screams. Tecumseh's mouth pours blood. He fells dead on the ground. CUT TO: EXT. ONAQUAGA CITY, CENTRAL PARK. DAY Esther rides a white horse stained by blood. Black and blond scalps hang from its saddle. She is followed by Sayenqueraghta, Thayendanegea, Tecumseh, Gaiantwake, Hiawatha, Deganawida, Jeremias and Kanestie. Sayenqueraghta gets down from his horse and walks towards the central park, where Oheo, Genesee, Jogues, Macawi and two hundred Hotinoshoni await. Ganiodayo approches Thayendanegea and speaks to his ear. Sayenqueraghta approaches Oheo. Oheo looks at him with tears in her eyes. Sayenqueraghta embraces her. SAYENQUERAGHTA Why did you disobey me? OHEO (whispering) I'm pregnant father. Jogues approaches Gaiantwake. He looks pale. JOGUES Have you gone to your house, noble Gaiantwake? GAIANTWAKE (worried) Tecumseh is there... ESTHER We have heard terrible rumors. GANIODAYO (to Jogues) Hasn't the Christian God been able to protect your flock, father? Gaiantwake looks at Jogues, who lowers his sight. The face of Gaiantwake turns pale. He spurs his horse and gallops away. Esther and ten Hotinoshoni WARRIORS follow him. Sayenqueraghta turns around and faces Thayendanegea. SAYENQUERAGHTA I firmly condemned the events that ended the life of your son Isaac. I understand you were right to kill him, for he broke the covenant with his own life-giver. But I can't allow Oheo to remain with you. She has already taken another man. Whispers are heard. Jogues talks to Oniatario's ear. THAYENDANEGEA I won't dispute your decision, father Sayenqueraghta. Thayendanegea bends his head. Whispers are heard. THAYENDANEGEA And I humbly beg you to forget those events, and to join all the Seneca nation in the celebration of our recent victory over the Continental army. The crowd remains unmoved. Esther advances. ONIATARIO The survival of our nation is at the stake, bold Thayendanegea. Many lives of colonists were taken at Wyoming. I entrat you to prepare us for the defense of our cities. THAYENDANEGEA (to Sayenqueraghta) I see yous wife has been under the influence of a Blackrobe. Jogues steps ahead. JOGUES You know the white men. You know this is the excuse they have been looking for in order to wipe out this nation. The Continental army won't spare women and children. Thayendanegea laughs at his words. The sun is covered all of a sudden by black clouds. An eagle crosses the skies. People point out at the bird. A thunder is heard. The eagle falls dead in front of Thayendanegea's feet. His horse neighs. Thayendanegea looks in horror at Jogues. Onekwa arrives riding his horse. All the horses neigh. A heavy rain fells. People move away looking for shelter. ONEKWA An entire regiment is trying to cross the river! We must evacuate the town! GANIODAYO This is not an omen! This is witchcraft! Jogues looks confused at the faces of Thayendanegea and Sayenqueraghta, who look at him with distrust. ORENGOWAH (defiant) The life of a sacred eagle must be cleansed with blood. GANIODAYO Death to the sorcerer! Ganiodayo takes out his tomahawk. Jogues makes the sign of the cross on his face, his lips trembling. He looks at Oniatario, who attempts to move towards him. She is stopped by Ganiodayo. ONIATARIO Run away, father Jogues! Jogues turns around and runs away. Ganiodayo fallows him. WASHINGTON (V.O.) The parties of Indians and others, under Butler and Thayendanegea, have already done considerable mischief on the North East corner of Pennsylvania; having cut off the inhabitants, and destroying the settlement of Wyoming... Jogues walks at fast pace towards the church. He is reached by Ganiodayo, who hits him with his tomahawk. Jogues stumbles on the floor, still alive. He drags his body towards the church. The open doors allow him to see an image of Virgen Mary. WASHINGTON (V.O.) As a result, I have sent up the fourth Pennsylvania Regiment and Captain Posey with a detachment of Morgans Rifle Corps to assist the Militia of New Jersey and New York in repelling farther incursions. From the sky, Ganiodayo and ten Hotinoshoni WARRIORS club him to death, under the sign of the cross. CUT TO: INT. HEAD QUARTES AT WHITE PLANES. DAY. General Washington dictates a letter to 34-year old TILGHMAN. WASHINGTON If the expedition against the Seneca Country is to be prosecuted, I imagine you and the Gentlemen joined with you in the commission for Indian Affairs will hear more of it from Congress and those who at first had the management of it... CUT TO: EXT. ONAQUAGA CITY, CENTRAL PARK. DAY It rains. Thunders are heard. From the sky we see two thousand SENECA PEOPLE who abandon their city. Some families carry their goods on horsebacks. Others, on their own own backs. Cries of children are heard. There is smoke from fires, here and there. Sayenqueraghta and Deganawida gallop on their horses through the crowd. They meet Onekwa, who rides from an opposite direction. ONEKWA One third of the continental army is coming after us. We need reinforcements from Fort Niagara! SAYENQUERAGHTA We haven't receive news from Theyandarega. How much time do we have? GAINTWAKE (V.O.) One day, perhaps less. They turn around and see Gaiantwake coming out of the smoke. He mounts his horse. His face is red painted. GAIANTWAKE Akiatonharonkwen wants to see us, father Sayenqueraghta. CUT TO: INT. GAIANTWAKE'S LONGHOUSE. NIGHT. Akiatonharonkwen smokes the pipe of peace and passes it on to Gaiantwake. Ganiodayo stands besides them. AKIATONHARÓNKWEN I regret the lost of your beloved ones, noble Gaiantwake. Tecumseh was a.... GAIANTWAKE He is dead and buried. What do our foes want from us? Oheo and Sayenqueraghta look at Akiatonharonkwen. AKIATONHARONKWEN General Washington has commissioned the fourth regiment to destroy your towns and to ruin your crops. GANIODAYO He is the town-destroyer announced by the prophets. SAYENQUERAGHTA Can we start a peace negociation? AKIATONHARONKWEN It's too late. Give me Oheo as my wife, and I will protect her. Oheo looks at Sayenqueraghta in disbelief. Sayenqueraghta looks at her, and then places his hand Sayenqueraghta takes Oheo's hand and places it SAYENQUERAGHTA (continuing) Let our blood melt into each other, as the furious rivers of the earth before the quiet sea. Sayenqueraghta unsheathes his knife and cuts his wrist. He drops the blood on the ground. He passes the knife on to Akiatonharonkwen, who cuts his wrist. He drops his blood over Sayenqueraghta's blood. OHEO I have the right to condition your decision, father. (to Akiatonharonkwen) Swear that you will never abandon me. Akiatonharonkwen looks at Oheo tenderly. AKIATONHARONKWEN I swear it. CUT TO: EXT. GAIANTWAKE'S LONGHOUSE. NIGHT Ten ONEIDA WARRIORS, mounted on horses, await about ten yards from the house. Akiatonharonkwen saddles a horse. Gaiantwake stands besides him. Sayenqueraghta embraces Oheo, who carries a saddle. OHEO Why do you take me away from you? Why do you delay my death? SAYENQUERAGHTA Because I have prayed so much for you. All of us will die sooner or later, but you must survive. Akiatonharonkwen is respected by the withe men. You will raise our offspring in that new world. OHEO But I'm... SAYENQUERAGHTA He will father him. In return, you will be faithful to him. Sayenqueraghta takes Oheo's face in his hands and OHEO That Virgin Mary intercede to God for you. GAIANTWAKE They should go, father Sayenqueraghta. Sayenqueraghta sees Oheo moving away. Oheo jumps onto a horse. The group gallops away. CUT TO: EXT. SENECA LAKE, A CANOE. DAY Jeremias, 6-months pregnant Kanestie, Hiawatha, Oniatario and Macawi are seated on a canoe that crosses the waters of the Seneca lake. The sight is blurred by rain and fog. A train of canoes follow them far away. They are loaded with arms and provisions. Each of them is overcrowded by Hotinoshoni women and children. Hiawatha looks at the shores, where ghostly Seneca men and women hastily pick up the corn. HIAWATHA The lands yielded a poor crop this year. Macawi looks at Kanestie with hostility. MACAWI You killed him. Kanestie looks at her in astonishment. She embraces Jeremias. Oniatario and Hiawatha look at them. ONIATARIO Who? MACAWI I saw this woman whispering to Theyandanaga just before he killed Isaac. Jeremias takes out his knife. Oniatario screams. Jeremias cuts Macawi's throat. Onekwa looks at the scene from the nearest canoe. Macawi stumbles over Oniatario, who screams, covered by blood. Macawi fells on the water. Hiawatha takes out his knife and cuts Jeremias on his face. Jeremias drops his knife. Hiawatha is tomahawked by Kanestie. Hiawatha fells on the water, just besides Macawi's agonizing body. The water is stained by blood. Kanestie looks at Oniatario, who steps back and fells into the water. An arrow crosses the space. Cries of war are heard. JEREMIAS We must return to the town! Jeremias takes Kanestie with him into the water, under a rain of arrows that cut the air. CUT TO: EXT. SENECA LAKE, A CANOE. DAY Sayenqueraghta, Gaiantwake and Ganiodayo are seated on a canoe that crosses the waters of the Seneca lake. Sayenqueraghta observes an object floating on the water. He stands up and guides the canoe towards him. Gaiantwake looks at it: the cadaver of Oniatario. Sayenqueraghta's face is clouded by pain. CUT TO: EXT. ONAQUAGA CITY, CENTRAL PARK. DAY. Two thousand CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS raid the city of Onaquaga. They burn the houses. A SENECA WOMAN is beaten by CONTINENTAL SOLDIER 42. A pile of CADAVERS OF SENECA CHILDREN is seen. SULLIVAN approaches CLINTON. They both ride horses. CONTINENTAL OFFICER 7 follows them. CLINTON There are the finest Indian houses I have seen. CONTINENTAL SOLDIER 43 brings two SENECA CHILDREN who cry. Sullivan takes out his bayonet and aims at them. SULLIVAN No children would be spared. C. Soldier 43 abandon the children. Sullivan shoots them. Clinton looks at him in horror. SULLIVAN If we leave them alive, they will be after us in ten years or so. They approach a huge pile, where the soldiers throw corn, squash and beans they take out from the houses. SULLIVAN (to Continental Officer 7) Order the men to eat all they can. Then destroy everything. C. Officer rides away. A soldier throws a torch to the provisions. Through the flames, we see the triumphant countenance Phelps and Gorham bring Jeremias and Kanestie. GORHAM We found them in a hut, General. Sullivan sees the prominent breasts of Kanestie. SULLIVAN Are you loyalists? JEREMIAS No, Sir. We were taken prisoners about one year ago. SULLIVAN Where did you get that cut? JEREMIAS When I escaped. We know this was the safest place for us. SULLIVAN You are not a warrior. JEREMIAS I'm a cook, Sir, and she... SULLIVAN (to Gorham) Ask captain Montgomery to sell this man as a slave. As for her... I will keep her in my company. Jeremias opens his mouth unable to utter a word. Kanestie looks confused at him. Battered and breast-naked Seneca woman runs away. She is caught and shot on the head by C. Soldier 42. Sullivan makes a gesture with his hand and Jeremias is seized and taken away by Gorham and Phelps. SULLIVAN They will give me at least ten pounds for him. (to Kanestie) I'm so fortunate to meet you, Madam. CUT TO: EXT. CHERRY VALLEY VILLAGE. DAY. Sobbing of women and cries of children are heard. There are six SCALPED CORPSES of Continental Soldiers scattered on the ground. 13-year old BENJAMIN, 17-year old RUFUS, 25 COLONISTS, 15 WOMEN and 10 CHILDREN are knelt down on the ground before the burning houses of the village. Most of them have their hands tied up. They are under the surveillance of Onekwa and 50 Hotinoshoni WARRIORS, who bearing heavy make up, move around them bearing in their hands their tomahawks and knifes. Bayonets hang from their bodies. RUFUS (whispering) Try to untie me. BENJAMIN They will kill me... RUFUS We are not far from the fort. We'll run. Don't you see? They want to scalp us. I'd rather die by a bullet. Rufus turns around and places his hands on Benjamin's. Thayendanegea and Gaiantwake ride their horses. They stopped about two hundred yards before the fort, a construction of logs from where the heads of fifty CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS can be seen. THAYENDANEGEA We won't be able to take the fort. They have provisions, and they expect reinforcements at any time. GAIANTWAKE We should march to Canada then. Our main towns have been destroyed. THAYENDANEGEA My men want revenge. GAIANTWAKE These are women and children. THAYENDANEGEA Killing is a morbid allurement. They won't obey us unless they see running blood. Sayenqueraghta approaches riding his horse. He guides another horse, where he carries Oniatario's cadaver. There are whispers of commotion amongst the I. Warriors. Sayenqueraghta dismounts, takes Oniatario's cadaver in his arms and approaches Gaiantwake. SAYENQUERAGHTA (with somber look) She was cast by foes onto the lake's surface. ONEKWA Blood claims blood! Onekwa tomahawks COLONIST WOMAN 1. The I. Warriors scream, taking out their tomahawks. Gaiantwake raises his hand and the soldiers stop GAIANTWAKE Your eyes seep a dire disposition. Sorrow has blurred your judgment, father Sayenqueraghta! Silence. Benjamin and Rufus look at the scene in awe. SAYENQUERAGHTA I have never been so lucid. The twilight of mi mind hasn't come yet, noble Gaiantwake. The carcass of tender Oniatario met my canoe this morning, as in a nightmare. I understood then that General Washington, the town-destroyer, wants to annihilate us, one by one. Sayenqueraghta leaves the cadaver of Oniatario before Akiatonharonkwens' feet. SAYENQUERAGHTA Beatous wife; nobler in your silence than on your THAYENDANEGEA You found her. But how can you be so sure she was killed by the Continental Army? SAYENQUERAGHTA They don't have a sense of humanity. They executed twenty three children at Onaquaga. Whispers are heard. GAIANTWAKE Mischievous tongues have licked your ear. SAYENQUERAGHTA These woman and children are not less than our innocent offspring. If we spared their lives our name will be erased from the memory of the colonists. But if we scalp them now, they may fear us. THAYENDANEGEA You are taken away by the dead of your wife, father Sayenqueraghta. GAIANTWAKE I must ask you to relinquish your command. Sayenqueraghta nods his head. THAYENDANEGEA The British will shelter us in Fort Niagara. ONEKWA I won't be ever an outlaw in the west. Onekwa screams and throws his knife to COLONIST WOMAN 2, who fells dead. WASHINGTON (V.O.) The Expedition you are appointed to command, General Sullivan is to be directed against the hostile tribes of the Six Nations of Indians, with their associates and adherents. The horse of Gaiantwake neighs. The I. Warriors scream and attack the colonists. Benjamin and Rufus stand up all of a sudden and run towards the fort. They are followed by Onekwa, who jumps onto a horse and takes out his tomahawk. A shot is heard. Onekwa's horse fells wounded onto the ground. From the fort we see the silhouette of a SNIPPER. WASHINGTON (V.O.) The immediate objects are the total destruction and devastation of their settlements. It will be essential to ruin their crops now in the ground and prevent their planting more. The I. Warriors shoot at Benjamin and Rufus. They enter unscathed into the open doors of the fort, amongst the ovations of the C. Soldiers. WASHINGTON (V.O.) I would recommend that some post in the center of the Indian Country, should be occupied with all expedition, with a sufficient quantity of provisions whence parties should be detached to lay waste all the settlements around, with instructions to do it in the most effectual manner, that the country may not be merely overrun, A child screams under the shadow of Sayenqueraghta's tomahawk. Gaintwake grasp Sayenqueraghta's arm just on time, but he is hit on his face by a stone coming out of the blue. Gaiantwake faints and fells. COLONIST WOMAN 3 is tomahawked by Hotinoshoni WARRIOR 10. A COLONIST opposes him, but he's immediately tomahawked by Hotinoshoni WARRIOR 11. CUT TO: INT. HEAD QUARTES AT WHITE PLANES. DAY. General Washington dictates a letter to 34-year old TILGHMAN. Knox listens to him. TITLE CARD Continental Army Head-Quarters, May 1779 WASHINGTON But you will not by any means listen to any overture of peace before the total ruinment of their settlements is effected. Our future security will be in their inability to injure us and in the terror with which the severity of the chastisement they receive will inspire them. For signature. KNOX Those words signify the utter annihilation of the Seneca Indians. Women and children won't survive. TILGHMAN We value the life of a single Continental Soldier over the entire Hotinoshoni nation. Tilghman passes out the letter to Washington, who signs it. TILGHMAN Two hundred twenty American scalps were taken in Wyoming. About thirty women and children were scalped at Cherry Valley. KNOX Destroying their towns will mean the end of a civilization. TILGHMAN Surely you heard that one of the most conspicous leaders of--as you put it, their civilization, known by the settlers as Queen Esther, lined sixteen American colonists around stone, just to smashed their skulls with her tomahawk. KNOX Most of them were Indians. TILGHMAN The entire nation wants retaliation. They are barbarians! KNOX The roads we use were built by them. (to Washington) I understand they should be punished. But if we are the bearers of civilization, we must be up to our principles. TILGHMAN I sense you are afraid of them, General Knox. KNOX (to Washington) Why don't you allow me to talk to them? I volunteer to go to their country as an ambassador. WASHINGTON Only Congress can authorize such a move. I really appreciate your sympathy for the Indians, General Knox, but we are obliged to cripple them. They will migrate to Canada then, looking for shelter. Thousands of newcomers will surely unsettle the economy of the British Crown. Knox lowers his sight. KNOX New York and Philadelphia... WASHINGTON They are no longer our priority. I will mobilize a third of our army to the Indian country. Colonel Tilghman, dispatch that letter immediately. Tilghman stands up and exits. Washington looks out through the window. He is untouched by his words. WASHINGTON War is an inhuman affair, General Knox. CUT TO: INT. SAYENQUERAGHTA'S HOUSE. NIGHT. Sullivan writes a letter under the light of a candle. The door is open and Kanestie is pushed by a soldiers. Laughing is heard. Sullivan stands up. Kanestie looks at a knife placed on a table. SULLIVAN I understand you are half-breed. KANESTIE My grandfather was German. SULLIVAN Did you meet him? Kanestie lowers her face. Sullivan approaches her and raises her head taking her chin. SULLIVAN Of course not. The silence of a woman is as expressive as the agony of a bird. Though I shouldn't call you woman. All female Indians I've met behave like you. Tell me you are not a slut. Kanestie hardens the expression on her face. Sullivan rips off her dress, showing her naked body. Kanestie contracts her fingers into a fist. SULLIVAN Now you look offended. Sullivan caresses her nipples. He sees her pregnant body. SULLIVAN Who's the father of that child? That black slave, or a British soldier? Kanestie hits Sullivan on his face. Sullivan recoils, his nose bleeding. SULLIVAN How dare you? Do you know who I am? Sullivan slaps her. Kanestie runs and picks up the knife. A shot is heard. Kanestie kneels down breathing heavily on the ground, with a wound in her chest. Clinton comes out from the shadows. SULLIVAN She broke my nose! Clinton bayonets Kanestie. SULLIVAN I want this town raised to the ground. Now! Clinton exits. CUT TO: EXT. CHONOBOTE. DAY. Cannons are moved forward by CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS. Sullivan and Clinton arrive to a field of one hundred fifty peach-trees at Chonobote. One hundred sick SENECA WOMEN and one hundred sick SENECA CHILDREN look at them in awe--they are bony and poorly dressed. An army of ten thousand CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS follow him. SULLIVAN This appears to be greatest peach-tree plantation in the world. CLINTON They left their women and children. SULLIVAN Only those close to death. CLINTON Do they expect us to pity them? SULLIVAN (to CONTINENTAL OFFICER 8) All trees must be cut down and burnt. CONTINENTAL OFFICER 8 Yes, Sir. SULLIVAN And no Indian should survive. C. Officer raises his sword. CONTINENTAL OFFICER 8 (to the soldiers) Kill them all! The soldiers scream and advance. He directs his horse against the nearest woman, cutting CUT TO: EXT. SHORES OF THE CHEMUNG RIVER. DAY. Drums are heard. Sayenqueraghta, Theyandanaga, Butler and Gaiantwake look from the top a a hill, besides the Chemung River, five hundred LOYALIST SOLDIERS and two thousand Hotinoshoni WARRIORS, who stand in formation of attack. TITLE CARD Battle of Newton, August, 1779 On the opposite side, ten thousand Hotinoshoni, mainly women and children, look at them. Before them four thousand CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS stand. BUTLER They outnumber us. You should have followed my advise to avoid a direct confrontation with Sullivan's army. SAYENQUERAGHTA They have destroyed forty of our towns. THAYENDANEGEA What are they waiting for? GAIANTWAKE Should we attack them, father Sayenqueraghta? SAYENQUERAGHTA Let them fear us. All of a sudden a trumpet is heard. Sayenqueraghta, Theyandanaga, Butler and Gaiantwake turn around and face a second army of two thousand CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS who attack them by their flank. GAIANTWAKE We've been outmaneuvered! Sayenqueraghta's face expresses fear. He is unable to utter a word. THAYENDANEGEA My regiment will attack them! You all take care of the main body. The soldiers move into two fronts. Screams, shots and clashing of bayonets are heard. Onakwa shoots at CONTINENTAL SOLDIER 42 who fells. He drops his bayonet, takes out his tomahawk and jumps over Phelps, who avoids its impact with his bayonet. They both fell on the ground. Sayenqueraghta sees a boat with ten CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS, who sail towards the other shore. The Hotinoshoni scream and run away. SAYENQUERAGHTA They want to murder our women and children! A cry raises amongst the warriors. They abandon their fight and run towards the river. Onakwa raises his head and runs away. Phelps looks at the scene in disbelief. The C. Soldiers pursue their enemies, killing many. Sayenqueraghta throws himself into the water. Hundreds of warriors follow him. They approach the boat. The C. Soldiers shoot at them from the boat. Ten I. Warriors die, tainting the water with blood. but at the end Many other I. warriors go on. Sayenqueraghta reaches the edge of the boat. Overwhelmed by its number, the C. Soldiers jump into the water. Cannons are heard. Ten C. Warriors die by the impact of Sayenqueraghta sees the loyalists surrendering their arms and raising their hands. Butler raises his arms. Sullivan approaches him and shoots him on his face. CUT TO: EXT. ONAQUAGA CITY. DAY. Under flakes of snow, Gaiantwake, Thayendanegea and Sayenqueraghta ride their horses, leading Onewkwa, Deganawida, Ganiodayo, Genesee, Orengowah and two thousand Hotinoshoni. They arrive to a town in ruins, where burnt posts remain as traces of well-built houses. Esther moves around as a ghost, covered by deers skins. She looks at them with a mad countenance. A vulture feeds on the frozen cadaver of a woman. Thayendanegea approaches her. The vulture flies away. He sees the frozen face of Kanestie. Hotinoshoni WOMAN 2 fells dead onto the snow. GAIANTWAKE (to the crowd) We have much to forgive, and far more to beseech. THAYENDANEGEA Tomorrow we march to Fort Niagara. Tonight we'll have to camp in our tents. The crowd moves in different directions. Sayenqueraghta approaches Gaiantwake. SAYENQUERAGHTA We cannot return. We are defeated. We must surrender to the Continental Army. Deganawida approaches Sayenqueraghta. DEGANAWIDA You must honor Thayendanegea's decision, father Sayenqueraghta. SAYENQUERAGHTA (with tears in his eyes) I'm not a senil man, weary of power, who abandons his lands to his enemies. Diplomacy is our only option. Gaiantwake makes a gesture and Hotinoshoni WARRIORS 12 and 13 seize Sayenqueraghta. ONEKWA You are no longer our chief! Onekwa moves forward taking out his tomahawk. He is restrained by Orengowah, who aims at his head with a musket. THAYENDANEGEA Power has turned you into a coward, father Sayenqueraghta. SAYENQUERAGHTA I appeal to the wise council... THAYENDANEGEA The wise council does no longer exist. Sayenqueraghta kneels down on the floor. SAYENQUERAGHTA I bet you, allow them to stay and take my life. THAYENDANEGEA (to Sayenqueraghta) Is this man Old Smoke, the scourge of the French and the Cherokee? Sayenqueraghta attempts to get free, but he is held back by I. Warriors 12 and 13, who put him down, his cheek against the ground. THAYENDANEGEA You are condemn to wander as a mad man in the wilderness, out of our sight. If we see you again nearby, you will be tomahawked. CUT TO: EXT. ONAQUAGA CITY. DAY. Several fires lit the destroyed city. There are tends hastily built with sticks and furs. Ten SENECA MEN dance around a fire, in front of Theyanderaga, Orengowah and Gaiantwake. Esther approaches them. She drinks from a bottle of rum. Theyanderaga bites a plump. He spits and tosses it out: there is a worn inside. ORENGOWAH Along nutritious fruits, poisonous seeds are bred. ESTHER Sayenqueraghta is still very respected by the warriors. THEYANDERAGA I won't harm him. A lesson of humbleness is all he needs. Esther offers her bottle to Theyanderaga, who takes a sip. ESTHER He may die out there. He has lost his wife, his power, his children, and your esteem and obedience. Theyanderaga passes the bottle on to Gaiantwake. Gaiantwake declines the offer with a gesture. Theyanderaga returns to bottle to Esther. ESTHER No dead has been able to return my son. GAIANTWAKE We all have lost our children, Mother Esther. ESTHER That's why we must stick together. Esther stands up. ESTHER Now let's scale mountains with a heavy head. CUT TO: EXT. ROAD TO NIAGARA FORT. DAY. A strong wind and children cries are heard. Two thousand Hotinoshoni march over a field under a snow storm. Women and children ride horses guided by men. Gaiantwake and Thayendanegea walk ahead. SENECA WOMAN 3, carrying a baby, approaches Thayendanegea. SENECA WOMAN 3 Can I have a horse, father Thayendanegea? THAYENDANEGEA Your child is death. SENECA WOMAN 3 (screaming) No, he is not! S. Woman 3 fells on the floor screaming. The cadaver of a BABY rolls over the snow. Thayendanegea leaves her behind. Genesee approaches her and consoles her with an embrace. Esther, riding a horse, looks around. She sees a figure that hides behind a tree. Esther smiles. Onekwa arrives riding his horse. ONEKWA A detachment of Continental Soldiers is looking for us. THAYENDANEGEA We must cross the Susquehanna river. ONEKWA It will take us one day more to arrive there. THAYENDANEGEA It's our only chance of survival. CUT TO: EXT. SHORES OF THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER. DAY. One-eye Sayenqueraghta arrives to the shore and sees the canoes sailing in the distance. He sees around two hundred cadavers of the Hotinoshoni. He hears a groan. He advances and faces Esther, who lies on the ground. SAYENQUERAGHTA Mother Esther. Why are you here? ESTHER I belong here. SAYENQUERAGHTA There is an army behind us. ESTHER I'd rather die before seeing our women as whores at Niagara Fort. Sayenqueraghta embraces her against his chest. She dies. Sayenqueraghta sobs. Voices are heard. Sayenqueraghta turns around and faces Sullivan, carrying a musket and riding a horse, Phelps, Gorham and five CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS. SULLIVAN Who are you? Sayenqueraghta looks at him, his eye bleeding. SAYENQUERAGHTA I'm Sayenqueraghta, the last chief of the Hotinoshoni SULLIVAN Say... Sullivan shoots him on his shoulder. Sayenqueraghta fells wounded on the snow. A thunder is heard. Grey clouds cover the sky. PHELPS They have escaped again, general Sullivan. SULLIVAN Let's see what the British can do with that hungry crowd. FADE OUT: EXT. SUSQUEHANNA RIVER. DAY FADE IN: Thayendanegea crosses the Susquehanna river in a canoe. TITLE CARD Thayendanegea became one of the most important Native-American leaders. He prospered as a land holder and died in 1807. Ganiodayo, seated nearby, looks at the waters. TITLE CARD Ganiodayo became the most influential religious leader of the Hotinoshoni. He wrote the Code of Handsome Lake, a compendium of the Hotinoshoni culture. He died in 1815. Gaiantwake looks at the horizon from another canoe. TITLE CARD Gaiantwake became the main supporter of Ganiodayo's religious awakening. He entrusted the education of his children to the Quakers. In 1796 he received a grant of 1,500 acres by the State of Pennsylvania, a land he shared with the Hotinoshoni. He died in 1836. FADE OUT: CREDITS  |
Hugo Santander Ferreira © First Film Productions 2011