- [first lines]
- [the Colonel is torturing a traveler]
- The Colonel: You want me to set you free. You don't get freedom for free. It has to be gloriously conquered. Now, what've you done to conquer it?
- Assault Man: My family, please.
- The Colonel: Now you're suddenly worried about your family? When we rode up, instead of protecting your wife and daughter, you fled like a rat.
- Assault Man: Please, please, please... .
- The Colonel: The state calls its own violence law, but that of the individual it calls crime. So, let it be so.
- [the Colonel slits the traveler's throat]
- [opening crawl]
- opening crawl: In 1865, the stagecoach was the only mode of overland travel in the United States until the coming of the railroads. They transported merchandise, people, money, the post and gold. They were constantly under threats of attack by bandits. None could be sure of a safe arrival at their appointed destination except those of the company Black Hell.
- Fugitive: What do you want, you son of a bitch?
- Assault Man: The stuff people use to worship God. Gold - when's it coming?
- Fugitive: We don't know. It never tells when it's coming.
- Assault Man: Huh. Now why do you bother to defend what's not yours, hmm? I know a stagecoach comes here and stops loaded with it. So, when is it coming? Is it today or tomorrow.
- Fugitive: We never know when it's comin' or when it's goin'.
- Assault Man: No. I don't believe you.
- [the Colonel starts to whip Ernest who is tied to a wagon wheel]
- Assault Man: If all goes well, I will be merciful. I'm not a criminal. I only want what's mine and to uphold the law - *my law*.
- Chris: Gold's in the stagecoach. The driver knows us and they'll ask for Ernest. They suspect something ain't right, they'll either leave or start shooting.
- Assault Man: Then you will die.
- Chris: The guards are better than the federals and they're way better than the rangers.
- Assault Man: Believe me, they're not as good as you think.