War Drums

Before the Civil War, Mangas Coloradas leads his people to track stolen horses to a Mexican camp. The group is killed and their communal woman, Riva, is seized. The Apache's initial plan is to sell Riva north of the border to the Americans.

Mangas refuses to sell Riva to Luke Fargo on the first attempt, despite generous terms. The rejection signals a deepening rift between the Apache leader and Fargo.

Mangas makes clear that he wants Riva as his wife, an honor previously denied to a Mexican woman. He defeats three braves who oppose his choice. Afterward he proclaims that Riva will be trained as a warrior, breaking another custom.

Following Mangas's second refusal to sell Riva, Luke reluctantly attends the couple's wedding. The scene underscores how personal ties complicate the larger conflict.

American gold seekers enter Apache lands, strike a gold deposit, and attack the Apache camp. Mangas moves to bring the miners to the law, but is pinned and whipped, which inflames tensions and helps spark the conflict.

The assault escalates into full scale war between the Apache and whites. Mangas Coloradas earns the nickname Red Sleeves for the bloodshed he endures and commands.

Fargo arranges to bring a representative from Washington to meet Mangas in an effort to halt the fighting. The peace attempt falters as mistrust and misperception fuel further tension.

During the conflict, Luke is struck by an arrow and wounded. Riva removes the arrow and nurses him back to health, strengthening a bond between them amid the hostilities.

Luke recovers and is sent back to the government with a message from Mangas. The exchange maintains a fragile channel between the two sides.

The Civil War breaks out and Luke volunteers for the Union army. He is commissioned as a major and assigned to the frontier to address the Apache problem.

Mangas is wounded in a raid, and a bullet shatters his breastbone. Riva carries him to a town with a doctor who promises safety if he lives and danger if he dies.

Fargo and a cavalry unit arrive and approach the Apache defenses under a flag of truce. Brave men who know Mangas recognize Fargo and allow him inside.

Fargo guides Mangas, Riva, and their warriors out of the town toward safety. The withdrawal marks a turning point in the conflict.

Luke advises Mangas to take his people deep into the mountains where the cavalry would be slow to reach them. They bid each other farewell and depart together.