Wagon Train (TV Series)

The Tent City Story (1958)

Ward Bond: Major Seth Adams

Photos 

Quotes 

• Major Seth Adams : This whole train could have been massacred for what he did. I aim to see that doesn't happen again.

• Major Seth Adams : I'll tell you something, any little chance is too much of a chance. I gave White Eagle my word. And everybody on this train, including you two, are bending over backwards to get me to break it. And get us all killed. Well, I'm not gonna break that word. And neither is anybody else. And that's an order. And in case you two have forgotten who gives the orders, I GIVE 'EM. And maybe that way we can manage to stay alive a week or so longer. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?

  Bill Hawks , Charlie Wooster : Yessir.

  Major Seth Adams : All right then.

  Bill Hawks : Phew!

  Charlie Wooster : Suppose we said something wrong?

  Bill Hawks : SHUT UP.

• Major Seth Adams : Mrs Burns, running a wagon train is not always a popular job. I have to do a lot of things I don't like to do in order to keep order and discipline. Or we wouldn't get halfway where we're going. And even if it means making an example of your husband, I'm sorry but that's the way it's gotta be.

  Mrs. Viola Burns : Then why don't you use a bull whip on him too. You, you... you Simon Legree.

• Major Seth Adams : You know that's what I thought you said. How do you like that no-good scout coming through for us at a time like this.

  Bill Hawks : He sure can speak that Indian language all right.

• Major Seth Adams : You wanna ride with him?

  Bill Hawks : No, sir. But...

  Major Seth Adams : Drop it right where it is.

  Bill Hawks : Yessir.

  Charlie Wooster : What happened? What happened? I thought I heard the Major bellowing like a bull.

  Bill Hawks : Why don't you SHUT UP.

  Charlie Wooster : Now what's I say wrong?

  Clyde Burns : You heard him, SHUT UP.

• Flint McCullough : All right. You don't have to yell at me.

  Major Seth Adams : Then do your job. And quit whimpering to my people.

  Flint McCullough : Oh, well, I'm very sorry, Major Adams. Forgive me. Only I've been away for the last several days. And I didn't realise the wagon master had turned into some kind of Simon Legree.

  Major Seth Adams : One more word out of you, McCullough, like that and you can ride the trail ahead on your own time.

  Flint McCullough : Is that a threat?

  Major Seth Adams : You've got ears.

  Flint McCullough : Well, you better make it good or withdraw it on the spot.

  Major Seth Adams : Are you trying to tell me what to do again?

  Flint McCullough : I'm telling you about this.

  Major Seth Adams : All right, McCullough, you start riding. You pick up your wages and start riding.

  Flint McCullough : It's a pleasure.

• Major Seth Adams : I'm lookng for a scout. Thought you might have one

  [Flint enters the tent, flicking the water off his hat but aware who is in the saloon] 

  Major Seth Adams : Someone off your your supply wagons?

  Will Hardisty : Well, as a matter of fact there is one scout here. But he's my Marshall. Besides, I don't think you'd want him.

  Charlie Wooster : MCCULLOUGH!

  Major Seth Adams : No, Mr Hardisty, I don't want him.

  [And Flint walks by without acknowledging any of the men] 

  Charlie Wooster : I knew you were going to act like that when you saw him.

  Major Seth Adams : Why don't you just...

• Flint McCullough : Maybe we should try the Indian way?

  Major Seth Adams : McCullough!

  [the Major is exasperated with the turn of events] 

  Flint McCullough : White Eagle, when two braves don't agree, how do you settle the argument?

  White Eagle : Fight. One Die. Brave who lives is right.

  Flint McCullough : All right. Why don't we settle this argument that way? You want my prisoner, I don't plan to give him to you.

  White Eagle : White Scout fool to challenge White Eagle.

  Flint McCullough : Maybe so. But you're challenged.

  White Eagle : Who fight for wagon chief's prisoner?

  Flint McCullough : Why don't we settle the whole thing all at once? If there aren't any objections, I'll fight for the wagon chief.

  Major Seth Adams : I'll do my own fighting, if there's any to be done.

  Flint McCullough : There's a lot of things that you know that I don't know, Major, but how to fight this Indian, on his terms, isn't one of them.

  Major Seth Adams : Well, all right. If you're so dern fool enough to do it, go ahead.