Wagon Train (TV Series)

The Last Circle Up (1964)

John McIntire: Christopher Hale

Quotes 

• Christopher Hale : [Voiceover]  I should stop worrying, we're just about there. The split at Sacramento will take two thirds of the wagons off my hands. They've certainly come a long way. The people don't know it, but they're making history, they who came west looking for a better life. After all he's been through on this trip, I wonder if Cooper Smith will sign on again. That is, if I decide to lead another wagon train to this land of milk and honey. Milk and honey? I wonder how many will find even a little bit of what they've suffered so much for. I wonder what it is that's kept some of them alive. And by all rights they shouldn't be. I wonder if they realise how much they had to change to live. I wonder if they know that soon they'll be torn apart... If it's true a three thousand mile trek starts with the first step, it sure isn't over until you take the last.

• Christopher Hale : Just can't wait, can yah? Just can't wait to get yourselves into some kind of trouble. Like a bunch of sailors after months at sea. You got three months' wages coming and you just can't wait to get out and prove that money is the root of all evil. Everything gunshot, a civilisation and you're outta your heads with funfear. I suppose it's too much to ask you to act your age.

  Charlie Wooster : We're only standing on our constitutional rights.

  Christopher Hale : Your what?

  Charlie Wooster : Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our forefathers fought for that thing. And I'm not about to let them die in vain.

  Christopher Hale : Mm. Well, you just go right ahead and pursue your life, liberty and happiness. After tomorrow I no more responsible for you than you are to me.

  Cooper Smith : You mean, you'll just pay us off and that's that?

  Christopher Hale : I mean, tomorrow I'm gonna say goodbye to a lot of people, a lot of people I never expect to see again. Coming to the end of the trail means one thing to some people, something else to others.

  [And he walks off] 

  Duke Shannon : What'd he mean by that?

  Bill Hawks : It sounds like he hates saying goodbye to his friends and that doesn't include us.

• Christopher Hale : [Last words]  It was the last circle up. Part of us went north, part south, what was left came onto San Francisco. By those miracles that are the spirit of man, we've crossed the wilderness, we have a chance to go on fighting for what we want and believe in. Time and tide can't be stopped. Nor can the spirit of man.