Minister: You'll never what for anything in heaven, Jack. When you go through those Pearly Gates, you'll find everything there... even without asking for it.
Kintpuash, aka Captain Jack: You say this heaven nice place, huh? You like this place, heaven?
Minister: Yes, it's a beautiful place!
Kintpuash, aka Captain Jack: Then I tell you what, Preacher. You like it so much, you take my place out there.
[indicates the gallows outside his jail cell]
Kintpuash, aka Captain Jack: You go to heaven instead of me. What do you say?
Minister: Well now, I'll be ready when the great day comes.
Kintpuash, aka Captain Jack: You not ready now... me not ready, neither!

Bill Satterwhite: Peace is going to be awfully hard to get.
Johnny MacKay: That's your business... not mine!
Bill Satterwhite: Bill, I need your help. Don't go running off half wild killin' Modocs. Only one got Lily.
Johnny MacKay: You think she was worth only one of them devils? You dish our your peace, Johnny. I'll dish out my end!

Dr. Thomas: Don't you feel like a murderer?
Johnny MacKay: No, sir.
Dr. Thomas: Shouldn't you?
Johnny MacKay: I've never shot anyone without cause. My job is to protect the wagon train. When somebody shoots at my people, I shoot back.

Nancy Meek: Johnny, I just learned something.
Johnny MacKay: Yes?
Nancy Meek: Why women in the West seem happier than those back East.
Johnny MacKay: Red women or white?
Nancy Meek: Both. It's knowing they're needed. If a woman's needed - if she knows she's wanted... I'm going to stay. I think I can be needed here. I hope I will be.

Blaine Crackel: Modoc Jim says he just wants to see how thick your door is, Bill.
Bill Satterwhite: What business is that of his?
Blaine Crackel: Well, he says the last time he fired at you, the arrow didn't go through it. He says the next time, he's going to use a heavier bow.
Bill Satterwhite: Take your stinking fingers off that door!

Gen. Canby: Sometimes it is as necessary to take risks to win peace as it is in war to win victories.

Gen. Canby: We want to stop this purposless killing. Any war that doesn't bring about a peace with honor is futile.
Mr. Dyar: Well, peace with honor and peace with Captain Jack are apt to be jackasses of two mighty different colors.

Mr. Dyar: You see, Doc, out this way, the Bible and brotherly love get all mixed up with injun hate.

Kintpuash, aka Captain Jack: Red man think he go to good place when he die. Good hunting... good shooting... no white man. None! You're not like preacher who talk about Pearly Gates. You got sense. You tell me, Johnny, you believe there is a place like this?
Johnny MacKay: Yes, I believe that, Jack, except I think it's open for all of us when we die. I think they, ah, even let white men in.
Kintpuash, aka Captain Jack: If I see that it's for red man only up there, maybe someday I tell them, "You let Johnny McKay in. He good fighter!"
Johnny MacKay: Thanks, Jack. Maybe I'll see you up there. Goodbye... and good luck... and good hunting.

Johnny MacKay: [narrating] And thus ended the killing in the Modoc country, and the peace began amoung our people that lives to this day. A peace that wasn't won by just wanting it, but costs plenty - but left scars. But it showed the country something we had to learn and remember - that among the Indians, as amongst our people, the good in heart outnumber the bad, and they will offer their lives to prove it.