| Hugo Noel Santander |
THE DEATH OF A NATION
A long-feature screenplay
by
Hugo Noel Santander
A long-feature screenplay
by
Hugo Noel Santander
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 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.
We 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.
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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.
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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.
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CREDITS
Hugo Santander Ferreira © First Film Productions 2009