Original subtitles

Been a long time, Mr. Hardie.

'Bout four years, I'd say.

Right after you held up the Clarington stage.

I thought after that, you'd learn

the outlaw business didn't pay too well.

Outlaw business is the only business I ever knew.

The job last week, they caught me with my feet

flat on the ground.

Sorta had your touch.

Well, the trouble with a skillful man is

his work begins to take on a pattern.

I thought it was little more than coincidence

that you and the big payroll showed up

in Preston at the same time,

so I told the sheriff there.

The rest you know.

Are you ready?

Let's go.

So that's the mighty Lou Reese, huh?

He don't look so tough to me.

200 apiece was the agreement. You got your money.

Aren't you being mighty cautious

just to get your hands on that man?

Mr. Pete, when a man's spent his life

doing the sneak, then he gets a feeling

when it's being done to him.

That rough country up ahead'll help out a lot.

We'll hang him tonight.

Would it be simpler just to shoot him?

Hanging is a unique experience.

I want Mr. Reese to know just how it feels.

All right, you can hand me that bacon

out of those saddle bags now, Reese.

Mr. Hardie, I'm a pretty patient man,

but you're wearing me mighty thin.

Just get the bacon.

You know it's gonna be awful hard

to lift this saddle and a fork at the same time.

How 'bout turning me loose, just for the meal?

I admire a skillful man, Mr. Reese.

Regardless of what that skill is.

Now tonight you're gonna start

learning to eat left-handed.

Hardie?

How long you think they're gonna give me?

How long you got left, I imagine.

Appears to me you repeated

one time too often there, Reese.

Well, I can't say that concerns me too much.

Well they tell me that the new penitentiary

the state built is almost impossible to break out of,

if that's what you got in mind.

Break out?

Never entered my mind.

I think I've been sort of waitin' and hopin' for this

for a long time.

I'm old and tired, and all of me's been used up.

Don't sound too bad.

Regular meals, good place to sleep.

Every man needs a home,

even if it has to be a jail.

I can't say it hasn't been fun while it lasted.

Regular game of wits.

The last few rounds with you,

each of us won a few battles,

but... does seemed like you won the war.

Reese?

This is Normalie.

What do you want?

Hey, you keep your hand away from that gun, mister.

I don't have much business with you.

Just want to relieve you of your prisoner, that's all.

Soon as we hang him, we can all go home.

Reese, I hope you've gotten pretty good

at handling that saddle.

I'm gonna make a dive behind

that rock you're sitting in front of.

And I suggest you follow.

Mr. Hardie, I hate to keep harping on it,

but about this saddle.

Goin' to jail's a whole lot easier than hanging.

I don't figure I've got too much to worry about.

This Normalie doesn't seem to think too much of you.

He's got a right.

We were involved with some stolen horses,

and to save my own skin I hinted to the owners

where they could find him.

I hear some of his men cut him loose

from the rope just in time.

A waste of time though.

He was born to be hung.

Mr. Hardie, it would seem to me

that we're not gonna get very far this way.

It seems to me you're right.

All we lacking right now is an alternative.

I know about a little town up in the mountains

where we'd be safe.

That sounds like the alternative.

New Madrid.

Where?

Down the canyon a ways.

The only way in and out

with a high, narrow canyon like this,

few men in that town can hold off

a whole army from getting in.

Well, I suppose, from that same token,

just a few men up here can keep a whole town

from getting out.

You gotta a good point,

but us without food and water,

and me without a saddle

and miles of nothing out there but Normalie.

All right, let's go.

Reese! Why, it's Lou Reese.

By golly, it's Lou Reese. Lou, Lou!

- Hey look everybody! - How are you, buddy?

It is, it's Lou Reese!

- Welcome back! - It's been a long time.

By golly!

Four years you've been gone this time!

- Four years! - Welcome, Lou!

Good to see you.

Can't tell you how good it is to see you, Mr. Reese.

You and your friend get the best room in the hotel, all on me.

I'm afraid we won't be able to accept your hospitality.

We've only be here long enough to

rest the horses a little while.

But we will need to pick up a saddle from ya.

Well I guess I can scare one up.

This is Mr. Hardie, my riding companion.

Howdy, Hardie.

Any friend of Mr. Reese owns this town.

Our pleasure, Mr. Hardie.

But these horses aren't going to be ready to travel before morning.

I'll fix up that room.

Lou Reese!

Beat you by a half a second.

How 'bout that?

Jason Moore beatin' the outlaw of 'em all.

You're not very funny, kid.

Oh, Mr. Hardie and I had a little trouble back there.

We may have some callers we don't wanna see.

Oh we're not much of the fighting kind, Mr. Reese.

But nobody's gonna bother you in here.

We'll see to that.

I'll get your horses some feed.

I'll get 'em to fix you boys some hot meals.

Being an outlaw hadn't seem to dim

your popularity in this town any.

I'm not just popular, Hardie.

I'm only two feet shorter than the mountain.

Home town boy makes good and all that sort of thing, huh?

No, out of town boy once saved this town

from an Indian raid.

I see.

You sure?

My point being, Mr. Hardie, is that right now

it would seem that our relationship has become reversed.

How ya like these?

New wardrobe?

Reception you got down there,

you've sure got this town fooled.

Yeah, they're waiting in the saloon now

to buy me a drink.

Join me?

You goin' down to have a drink,

you can bet your boots I'm gonna join you.

Come in.

Oh, don't mind me. During the day, I'm just the chambermaid.

During the day, huh?

You make it sound like there's more.

Oh, at nights I work in the saloon.

You know, sing a little, serve a little.

It's so much for a girl to do.

I suppose there is.

You ready?

My name's Clarissa.

Pleased to meet you, Clarissa.

Oh, you say hello like goodbye.

We'll be seeing more of each other.

We'll be leaving here the first thing

in the morning.

Oh.

Mr. Hardie says we're leaving.

I say... maybe.

Good day.

Reese.

You remember one thing.

To those people in there, you might be

something pretty special,

but to me you're still just a prisoner.

What does that mean?

It means we leave here the first thing in the morning.

Mr. Hardie, you just don't understand.

I haven't made up my mind about that yet.

Even though there's no telegraph or law in this town,

when I leave here, you're goin' with me.

Mr. Hardie, the best thing you can do

is hold your temper and let us both see what happens.

That way I won't have to tell these folks

you're arresting me.

That way you can live awhile.

Ah, you shoulda seen him those long years ago.

Not so much here, more up here.

What a man he looked.

How scared we all were when he rolled into town

with his men, remember?

I remember like it was yesterday.

Lou Reese and his boys.

You know, I was sure you were gonna rob us

and cut our throats.

Well, the thought had occurred to us,

but we hated Indians more than we liked money.

Well sir, them Apaches was all around us.

Up above on the cliffs,

throwing down fireballs on the buildings,

trying to force us to leave this canyon.

How I'd like to been there, riding with Mr. Reese.

Oh, that was long before your time, Sonny.

Let me fix you another drink, Lou.

Hey, don't call me Sonny.

The name is Jason Moore.

Sure.

Okay now, you say it.

Jason Moore.

You remember it.

Okay, now you can finish your story.

Well, it was just that without saying a word

to any of us, after dark out of the mouth of the canyon,

Lou Reese and his men sneaked up

around those Indians and killed them all dead.

You know, Mr. Reese?

Either you born too early or I was born too late.

Hey, what a combination we woulda made.

Jason Moore and Lou Reese.

Taking over towns.

All the money we could spend!

Pretty women at our feet.

Let me go!

Let her go, kid.

Didn't you hear me? I said nobody calls me kid.

I called you what you are.

An irresponsible kid.

Unless Mr. Reese tells me to stop,

I'm gonna have to kill you.

Now that presents me with a very interesting problem.

I don't think I need any help.

There's no need in killing this boy.

A man's riding down the canyon.

He's all alone.

Too bad they didn't all come.

We coulda gotten this over with.

Must wanna talk.

You know that guard you got down there.

If he don't quit shaking' he's gonna fall right off that wagon.

Go on back with the others.

Where's Normalie?

He and Chris are just outside the canyon.

You know, when it comes to strategy,

that Normalie's real good.

Didn't see no reason to walk into a trap.

Besides, I can take Reese back alone.

Hey, you let me tell you something.

Then you tell Normalie, in this town Reese can do no wrong.

He tries to take him, all he's gonna get's killed.

Yeah, it's a mighty mean-looking

bunch you got down there.

Look Mister, why don't you save everybody

a lot of trouble and give us Reese?

You just tell him what I said.

Yes sir, it's a mighty secluded place.

Let's get him into the hotel. I'll take care of him there.

You coulda got yourself killed

protecting your prisoner.

Normalie didn't think very much of you.

Willing to go to a lot of trouble

to prove his point.

Any idea what he's planning to do?

I have no idea.

If the Apaches had a plan, I imagine

Normalie'll think of it sooner or later.

If we could get out of this canyon,

we could handle it the same way,

but I gotta a notion that Normalie

is smarter than an Apache.

We'll find out. As soon as it gets dark.

Fire in the entrance.

The Apaches had something we didn't have to contend with.

I guess you and I won't have to settle our differences for a while.

There's no place to go but back.

Where you goin'?

Now Mr. Hardie, you just saw for yourself

I can't get outta here.

Just wanna pay my respects to an old friend.

I've been waiting a long time.

Thought you were taking care of the wounded man.

Oh, I was, I was.

But it's only a scratch.

Couple of days and Joe'll be as good as new.

Now which brings us to you.

What are you doing here?

Mr. Hardie, I have a very grave confession to make.

I'm not a very nice girl.

Take stealing, oh I'm very good at it!

It's just that not very many people come here

and when they do, they have to stay here,

so when I'm cleaning their rooms I take what pleases me.

Today I stole from you.

You couldn't have stolen much.

I don't have much.

You had this.

Now a Wells Fargo agent riding with a famous outlaw.

Now there can only be one answer for that.

I don't think the townspeople would like that.

So to keep them from finding out,

I was gonna ask you for quite a bit.

And what might that be?

Something I want very much.

I wouldn't want to see the townspeople kill you.

Really I wouldn't.

So I think we can come to terms.

We'll talk tomorrow?

Reese!

I was just passing by.

I thought I recognized you.

Just a pile of rotten lumber now.

What's got you so interested?

I used to know somebody that lived there.

A long time ago.

Her name was Mary Garner.

You know, she's dead.

Yeah, I heard.

I heard she was once a beautiful woman.

She was the most beautiful woman I ever saw.

Yeah, well she wasn't after a few years

with that hot shot she ended up marrying.

He was the kind that could take the beauty out of anything.

After he took her away from here,

she never even got a place like that

to call her own.

How do you know so much about her?

Well I ought to, I'm her son.

I just got back here about a year ago after she died.

Mary's son!

You know, Mr. Reese, seems you and me

got a lot in common.

We're both mighty handy with a gun.

Both walk heavy on the pumpkin rollers.

And we got a mutual acquaintance with the same woman.

Lady, the word is lady!

The kindest, gentlest lady I ever knew.

Look Mr. Reese, I didn't mean no disrespect.

I don't know why you're doing this.

I got a real high admiration for you.

I'm sure you do. Trash admiring trash.

I leave so she can have a chance

and what does she get out of life?

You for a son.

It was Bill's and my time on guarding.

Then we heard the horses run

and then there they was, two of 'em!

That's Bill, and they coulda shot me.

This well-dressed one, he just looked at me

and grinned.

They threw us down this note,

and ride out as fast as they come.

Says, "Reese, until you walk out of this canyon,

I'll kill one citizen a day.

Signed Normalie."

So far he's a man of his word.

One thing about the outlaw business, it sure keeps you fellows jumping.

This is not outlaw business.

It's a personal vendetta that's gonna get

a lot of innocent people killed.

What did you and Jason find out at the mouth of the canyon?

They're keeping a man up there.

There's no one gonna get through.

The other two are up there.

We're like fish in a barrel.

Reese, if you had to try to get a man hung,

wish you'd picked one a little more forgiving.

Well at least it's fortunate I have friends.

Yes, it is.

And they're all standing behind you right now.

You sure don't deserve it.

You want me to walk out of the canyon

and let Normalie hang me?

I should.

But I probably wouldn't let you.

However, if he doesn't leave pretty quick,

we may have to make a run for it.

You said there wasn't a chance.

I said there wasn't much of a chance.

But I can't stand by and see all these people

sacrificed just to save your skin.

You forget, Mr. Hardie.

You're in my town.

We only leave if I wanna leave.

Right now, I'm of a mind to stay a spell.

I can't believe it's your own skin

you're really concerned about saving right now.

Just what do you think?

I think it's the boy, Jason.

What do you know about Jason and me?

He went up the canyon a little while ago.

He told me what happened last night.

Said how sorry he was.

That he wanted to make a good impression on you.

He asked me if I couldn't have

straightened things out between you.

Not quite the same lad I met yesterday afternoon.

So he's not the same lad.

What about it?

You got upset with him.

Jason, well he took it that you really cared about him.

That means a good deal to him.

You do care, you're probably the only one

since his mother died.

It wouldn't hurt you any to have somebody

to care about, either.

You better go get something to eat now.

Clarissa!

All the women were told to stay off the street.

You could've gotten yourself hurt.

Maybe even killed.

Now don't do that again.

I won't.

Not if my safety's important to you.

I'll get the water.

Last night, about my knowing who you were,

I said we'd talk today.

Yes, as a matter of fact I think you said

my safety from this town rests in your hands.

I also said that I wanted something very much.

Something you can give me.

Wouldn't be too much trouble for you.

What is it?

When you leave, take me with you.

Clarissa...

I don't mean it, what you think.

Women have many wishes, and they can only go so far.

Especially women like me.

My only wish is you'd just take me to a town.

Then you can forget about it.

It's not too much to wish.

Then you'll do it?

When Reese and I leave here,

it's gonna be a very hard trip, and a very dangerous one,

and one we might not come through alive.

No, I can't take you with me.

You'll be sorry, I'll see to it.

Right now, perhaps you feel like you can tell them.

But you won't.

When someone's been dealt a bad hand,

that doesn't necessarily mean that

they're bad at all.

Way down deep inside, I think you're very good.

As far as your being able to tell this town,

you won't.

I don't think you could.

Well, let's get you and this water back to your patients.

Well, how's it goin' Mr. Pete?

Nobody's stirred down there for over an hour.

Well, we've got the canyon entrance bottled up.

They can't climb these sheer cliffs.

Looks like we're gonna have ourselves quite a party.

Normalie, that 200 bucks was to buy

Chris and me for a couple of days to help you

pick up an old friend.

Not bottle up a whole town.

They won't hold out much longer.

They can hold out longer than we can.

What are we gonna do about food?

We're not gonna wait that long.

You know what this is, Mr. Pete?

Looks like yellow rock.

It's a very special kind of yellow rock.

With a very special name.

Arsenic.

These rocks around here hold plenty of it.

No sir, Mr. Pete, we won't have to wait long at all.

Let's climb these hills around here

and get all of this stuff we need.

Cold, clammy skin, fever, stomach ache.

There's so many of them.

What can it be?

Only one thing it could be.

- Water. - Water?

Slight metallic taste.

It's arsenic.

We've been drinking this water for years.

But you've never had an outlaw sitting up at the source of it.

- Bad, real bad. - Yes it is.

Is there any other source of water in this town?

That's all we got.

One thing New Madrid's had to be proud of.

Sweetest water this side of the Missouri.

You get out and gather up all the water

that anybody might have had stored before today.

Not much chance of finding any.

That spring was always there when we had a thirst.

Do the best you can.

And when it runs out?

I wouldn't drink that water if I were you, boy.

Who said anything about drinking water?

Ah, that's right. You don't like the word boy, do you?

Mind telling me why?

'Cause this country is meant

for those who are strong enough

to hold onto a piece of it.

You be anything but a man and they walk right up your back.

And if you're strong, you take what you want.

Is that it?

Sure.

Be somebody folks look up to and fear.

That's it.

My old man, he used to whip the hide off me for nothing.

He did that because he was the man and I was the boy.

Once when we moved south, I'd sneak out his gun

and go off into the woods

and I'd practice until my hand would bleed,

learning to draw and shoot.

I had it pictured in my mind that someday I'd take him on.

But somebody beat me to it.

If ever a man won't be missed, it's...

But you still got your talent.

You got what you were after.

You bet I got my talent.

You've seen the people here.

They're scared plenty of me.

And someday it won't only be these people

in this stinkin' town.

I'm gonna be like you.

I'm gonna be known all around.

Yeah, be your own man.

You see some money, you take it.

That's right.

Somebody gives you trouble, you lean on 'em, hard.

Yeah, and I will.

Yeah, you get a reputation as an outlaw.

There won't be a prison where you won't be

looked up to and admired.

Of course, you won't have a home, unless you're in jail.

You won't know what a good man really looks like.

You'll be hungry, chased like a dog.

You'll now what the feel of a bullet is like.

You'll learn to get used to the hatred

you see in the eyes of men.

But that won't matter, will it Jason?

Because you'll be feared.

You'll be your own man.

You know, I don't understand you.

And I want to.

It's mighty important to me to be your friend.

Yeah, I know Jason.

It's a terrible thing to be alone.

That's something that you wouldn't know.

A man like me is always alone.

Except that time when I knew your mother.

There was that time.

There was nothing I could give her but unhappiness.

Funny, all those years ago

when there was nothing good I could do for her.

Maybe now.

Maybe now.

You're looking pretty tired.

You don't look any better.

How are the patients?

Fortunately, I think they're gonna be all right.

We found some milk and some raw eggs.

And the good water?

We've got enough to last 'em through tomorrow.

No further.

Now you better get some rest.

We're gonna be riding out of here before morning.

If we ride fast, darkness on our side,

we might make it through the canyon.

Are you saying we go?

Yes.

This is my town, Hardie.

These are my friends.

I'll decide if we go.

And it may just be that I wanna stay around awhile.

After what's happened, maybe you can

keep these people behind you.

From where I stand, you can't.

When I go outta here I'm taking you with me

if I have to take you in a sack.

It may just be that that's the way

it'll have to be.

Make sure you're up to it.

Is she sick?

Just plain tired.

She's been working with me since this thing started.

Needs some rest.

She oughta be in bed.

I'll take her upstairs.

You go on back to sleep.

You've earned it.

Mr. Hardie?

I couldn't have told those people who you were.

Forgive me for ever wanting to.

Well, I don't believe you ever really wanted to.

Clarissa, Reese and I are gonna

make a run for it tonight.

Once we're gone, the town won't have

any more trouble.

And if we make it, and that's a big if,

but if we do, then as soon as I can

I want to come back here and take you

to some town where we can get you a job,

and you can make something out of your life.

I promise you that.

Can I say thank you?

In my own way?

Oh, Mr. Hardie.

Clarissa's tired, we're all tired,

but two more sick ones just came in.

I gotta have some help.

Let's let her sleep for right now.

I can give you some help.

The barkeeps told me you were leaving.

Yeah.

You're not gonna get out of that canyon.

Not with those men hidden up there.

We can try.

- Hey, let me go with you. - No.

You better go, kid.

I'll talk to you before I go.

When she died, I found this among her things.

I think she'd have wanted you to have it.

Mr. Reese, that Normalie, he's down at the barricade,

unarmed and alone.

Says he wants to see you.

When a man comes in truce, he should be given more respect.

Especially when he wants to offer you your life.

What is it?

Alone.

All right.

You know it's all right to wanna kill a man

if you've got a reason.

And it doesn't cost you anything.

Go on.

Sitting up there with nothing more to do

but take a pot shot now and again's

given me time to think.

And the more I thought, the less mad

I got with you, Reese.

You give me Hardie and I'm all through with you.

Well, I can respect a man wanting to kill

if he's got a reason.

But Hardie?

I'm disappointed in you, Normalie.

I don't want to kill him.

Just use him.

If I could take him, I've got the key to the mint.

How?

Wells Fargo money shipments

are coming through this country all the time.

Hardie telegraphs one of them

to make an unscheduled stop,

and, well the rest is just a matter of detail.

Well, how about it, Reese?

You want your freedom, or do you want

that rope around your neck?

Well now, Mr. Hardie may be hard to convince.

At daybreak, Mr. Hardie sees me and my men

riding north, our patience all wore out.

He takes you south.

We can double back.

Well, how about it?

It's a deal.

We'll meet you at Castle Rock.

Mr. Reese, I'm sure glad I met up with you.

Even if it did put a loop around my neck.

Well, he went for the deal.

We get Hardie tomorrow.

You must have made it real attractive for Reese, huh?

I promised him his freedom.

Freedom?

After all we've been through?

Mr. Pete, I said I promised.

We'll still hang him.

Well, looks like they've ridden outta here. What do you think?

I don't know. Your guess is as good as mine.

Could be a trap.

Yeah, better odds than getting

gunned down at the mouth of the canyon.

Nobody gonna argue with that.

When you planning to leave?

As soon as you're ready.

Still not going outta here without you, you know.

You know, Mr. Hardie?

Whatever Wells Fargo pays you, it's not enough.

You're a mighty stubborn man.

Well, your prisoner's ready to ride.

Good.

Hold it, Hardie.

Don't, Jason.

You're not taking Lou Reese outta here, not while I'm alive.

You go outta here, you go outta here alone.

Now Jason, don't try that again.

You goin' outta here?

Not without Reese.

He's gonna be all right.

Let's go.

This Hardie, he's a Wells Fargo agent.

He's planning to take Mr. Reese to jail.

That true?

That's true.

Now wait a minute.

Wait!

Listen to me.

This is the way I want it.

I can't explain why, but this is the way it has to be.

But he's planning to take you to jail!

This is the way it's gotta be.

Don't interfere.

There's no way to thank you.

No way at all.

Something the matter with your saddle?

No, but I'm glad it looks like there is.

It's been a long, hard ride for me, Mr. Hardie.

I've had to make a decision and I've just made it.

What decision?

Well, back there at the village,

one word and I coulda been a free man.

Yes, I've thought about that.

It's puzzled me a little.

Perhaps you could have been a free man.

But you didn't take it. Why?

I think I know.

Jason?

You think a good deal of the boy, don't you?

Perhaps enough even to try to set a good example for him.

Enough to turn myself into a fool.

Maybe a dead one.

What do you mean?

All I have to do is ride you right on down

there to Castle Rock,

and I'll have my freedom anyway.

But I've got something else in mind.

Right now, there are three rifles

trained on us.

All we can do is keep going straight ahead.

Whose idea was this? Yours or Normalie's?

Doesn't make any difference, as long as it doesn't turn out

the way it was planned.

There's a little place to duck into the rocks

about 30 yards straight ahead.

When we get there, get in there fast.

I sure could stand the loan of a gun.

Now Mr. Hardie, if I'd wanted you dead,

I'd a had them do it back there.

What do you want, Reese?

A gun.

- Reese! - Normalie!

Normalie!

You'll find Normalie over there in the rocks.

You're givin' up awful easy, aren't you Reese?

Why?

I get so tired these days.

I'm looking forward to those regular means,

and a permanent roof over my head.

Yes sir, I'm really ready this time.

All right, let's go.

There's one thing.

Normalie was wanted up in Montana.

Sizable reward on his head.

I earned it, didn't I Mr. Hardie?

Yes, I suppose you did.

I want you to see that the boy gets it.

I want it to pay for his education.

I want him to have a future.

You tell him that's what I want.

I'll do that.

All right, let's go.

Ah, you shoulda seen him those long years ago.

Not so much here, more up here.

What a man he looked.

How scared we all were when he rolled into town

with his men, remember?

I remember like it was yesterday.

Lou Reese and his boys.

You know, I was sure you were gonna rob us

and cut our throats.

Well, the thought had occurred to us,

but we hated Indians more than we liked money.

Well sir, them Apaches was all around us.

Up above on the cliffs,

throwing down fireballs on the buildings,

trying to force us to leave this canyon.

How I'd like to been there, riding with Mr. Reese.

Oh, that was long before your time, Sonny.

Let me fix you another drink, Lou.

Hey, don't call me Sonny.

The name is Jason Moore.

Sure.

Okay now, you say it.

Jason Moore.

You remember it.

Okay, now you can finish your story.

Well, it was just that without saying a word

to any of us, after dark out of the mouth of the canyon,

Lou Reese and his men sneaked up

around those Indians and killed them all dead.

You know, Mr. Reese?

Either you born too early or I was born too late.

Hey, what a combination we woulda made.

Jason Moore and Lou Reese.

Taking over towns.

All the money we could spend!

Pretty women at our feet.

Let me go!

Let her go, kid.

Didn't you hear me? I said nobody calls me kid.

I called you what you are.

An irresponsible kid.

Unless Mr. Reese tells me to stop,

I'm gonna have to kill you.

Now that presents me with a very interesting problem.

I don't think I need any help.

There's no need in killing this boy.

A man's riding down the canyon.

He's all alone.

Too bad they didn't all come.

We coulda gotten this over with.

Must wanna talk.

You know that guard you got down there.

If he don't quit shaking' he's gonna fall right off that wagon.

Go on back with the others.

Where's Normalie?

He and Chris are just outside the canyon.

You know, when it comes to strategy,

that Normalie's real good.

Didn't see no reason to walk into a trap.

Besides, I can take Reese back alone.

Hey, you let me tell you something.

Then you tell Normalie, in this town Reese can do no wrong.

He tries to take him, all he's gonna get's killed.

Yeah, it's a mighty mean-looking

bunch you got down there.

Look Mister, why don't you save everybody

a lot of trouble and give us Reese?

You just tell him what I said.

Yes sir, it's a mighty secluded place.

Let's get him into the hotel. I'll take care of him there.

You coulda got yourself killed

protecting your prisoner.

Normalie didn't think very much of you.

Willing to go to a lot of trouble

to prove his point.

Any idea what he's planning to do?

I have no idea.

If the Apaches had a plan, I imagine

Normalie'll think of it sooner or later.

If we could get out of this canyon,

we could handle it the same way,

but I gotta a notion that Normalie

is smarter than an Apache.

We'll find out. As soon as it gets dark.

Fire in the entrance.

The Apaches had something we didn't have to contend with.

I guess you and I won't have to settle our differences for a while.

There's no place to go but back.

Where you goin'?

Now Mr. Hardie, you just saw for yourself

I can't get outta here.

Just wanna pay my respects to an old friend.

I've been waiting a long time.

Thought you were taking care of the wounded man.

Oh, I was, I was.

But it's only a scratch.

Couple of days and Joe'll be as good as new.

Now which brings us to you.

What are you doing here?

Mr. Hardie, I have a very grave confession to make.

I'm not a very nice girl.

Take stealing, oh I'm very good at it!

It's just that not very many people come here

and when they do, they have to stay here,

so when I'm cleaning their rooms I take what pleases me.

Today I stole from you.

You couldn't have stolen much.

I don't have much.

You had this.

Now a Wells Fargo agent riding with a famous outlaw.

Now there can only be one answer for that.

I don't think the townspeople would like that.

So to keep them from finding out,

I was gonna ask you for quite a bit.

And what might that be?

Something I want very much.

I wouldn't want to see the townspeople kill you.

Really I wouldn't.

So I think we can come to terms.

We'll talk tomorrow?

Reese!

I was just passing by.

I thought I recognized you.

Just a pile of rotten lumber now.

What's got you so interested?

I used to know somebody that lived there.

A long time ago.

Her name was Mary Garner.

You know, she's dead.

Yeah, I heard.

I heard she was once a beautiful woman.

She was the most beautiful woman I ever saw.

Yeah, well she wasn't after a few years

with that hot shot she ended up marrying.

He was the kind that could take the beauty out of anything.

After he took her away from here,

she never even got a place like that

to call her own.

How do you know so much about her?

Well I ought to, I'm her son.

I just got back here about a year ago after she died.

Mary's son!

You know, Mr. Reese, seems you and me

got a lot in common.

We're both mighty handy with a gun.

Both walk heavy on the pumpkin rollers.

And we got a mutual acquaintance with the same woman.

Lady, the word is lady!

The kindest, gentlest lady I ever knew.

Look Mr. Reese, I didn't mean no disrespect.

I don't know why you're doing this.

I got a real high admiration for you.

I'm sure you do. Trash admiring trash.

I leave so she can have a chance

and what does she get out of life?

You for a son.

It was Bill's and my time on guarding.

Then we heard the horses run

and then there they was, two of 'em!

That's Bill, and they coulda shot me.

This well-dressed one, he just looked at me

and grinned.

They threw us down this note,

and ride out as fast as they come.

Says, "Reese, until you walk out of this canyon,

I'll kill one citizen a day.

Signed Normalie."

So far he's a man of his word.

One thing about the outlaw business, it sure keeps you fellows jumping.

This is not outlaw business.

It's a personal vendetta that's gonna get

a lot of innocent people killed.

What did you and Jason find out at the mouth of the canyon?

They're keeping a man up there.

There's no one gonna get through.

The other two are up there.

We're like fish in a barrel.

Reese, if you had to try to get a man hung,

wish you'd picked one a little more forgiving.

Well at least it's fortunate I have friends.

Yes, it is.

And they're all standing behind you right now.

You sure don't deserve it.

You want me to walk out of the canyon

and let Normalie hang me?

I should.

But I probably wouldn't let you.

However, if he doesn't leave pretty quick,

we may have to make a run for it.

You said there wasn't a chance.

I said there wasn't much of a chance.

But I can't stand by and see all these people

sacrificed just to save your skin.

You forget, Mr. Hardie.

You're in my town.

We only leave if I wanna leave.

Right now, I'm of a mind to stay a spell.

I can't believe it's your own skin

you're really concerned about saving right now.

Just what do you think?

I think it's the boy, Jason.

What do you know about Jason and me?

He went up the canyon a little while ago.

He told me what happened last night.

Said how sorry he was.

That he wanted to make a good impression on you.

He asked me if I couldn't have

straightened things out between you.

Not quite the same lad I met yesterday afternoon.

So he's not the same lad.

What about it?

You got upset with him.

Jason, well he took it that you really cared about him.

That means a good deal to him.

You do care, you're probably the only one

since his mother died.

It wouldn't hurt you any to have somebody

to care about, either.

You better go get something to eat now.

Clarissa!

All the women were told to stay off the street.

You could've gotten yourself hurt.

Maybe even killed.

Now don't do that again.

I won't.

Not if my safety's important to you.

I'll get the water.

Last night, about my knowing who you were,

I said we'd talk today.

Yes, as a matter of fact I think you said

my safety from this town rests in your hands.

I also said that I wanted something very much.

Something you can give me.

Wouldn't be too much trouble for you.

What is it?

When you leave, take me with you.

Clarissa...

I don't mean it, what you think.

Women have many wishes, and they can only go so far.

Especially women like me.

My only wish is you'd just take me to a town.

Then you can forget about it.

It's not too much to wish.

Then you'll do it?

When Reese and I leave here,

it's gonna be a very hard trip, and a very dangerous one,

and one we might not come through alive.

No, I can't take you with me.

You'll be sorry, I'll see to it.

Right now, perhaps you feel like you can tell them.

But you won't.

When someone's been dealt a bad hand,

that doesn't necessarily mean that

they're bad at all.

Way down deep inside, I think you're very good.

As far as your being able to tell this town,

you won't.

I don't think you could.

Well, let's get you and this water back to your patients.

Well, how's it goin' Mr. Pete?

Nobody's stirred down there for over an hour.

Well, we've got the canyon entrance bottled up.

They can't climb these sheer cliffs.

Looks like we're gonna have ourselves quite a party.

Normalie, that 200 bucks was to buy

Chris and me for a couple of days to help you

pick up an old friend.

Not bottle up a whole town.

They won't hold out much longer.

They can hold out longer than we can.

What are we gonna do about food?

We're not gonna wait that long.

You know what this is, Mr. Pete?

Looks like yellow rock.

It's a very special kind of yellow rock.

With a very special name.

Arsenic.

These rocks around here hold plenty of it.

No sir, Mr. Pete, we won't have to wait long at all.

Let's climb these hills around here

and get all of this stuff we need.

Cold, clammy skin, fever, stomach ache.

There's so many of them.

What can it be?

Only one thing it could be.

- Water. - Water?

Slight metallic taste.

It's arsenic.

We've been drinking this water for years.

But you've never had an outlaw sitting up at the source of it.

- Bad, real bad. - Yes it is.

Is there any other source of water in this town?

That's all we got.

One thing New Madrid's had to be proud of.

Sweetest water this side of the Missouri.

You get out and gather up all the water

that anybody might have had stored before today.

Not much chance of finding any.

That spring was always there when we had a thirst.

Do the best you can.

And when it runs out?

I wouldn't drink that water if I were you, boy.

Who said anything about drinking water?

Ah, that's right. You don't like the word boy, do you?

Mind telling me why?

'Cause this country is meant

for those who are strong enough

to hold onto a piece of it.

You be anything but a man and they walk right up your back.

And if you're strong, you take what you want.

Is that it?

Sure.

Be somebody folks look up to and fear.

That's it.

My old man, he used to whip the hide off me for nothing.

He did that because he was the man and I was the boy.

Once when we moved south, I'd sneak out his gun

and go off into the woods

and I'd practice until my hand would bleed,

learning to draw and shoot.

I had it pictured in my mind that someday I'd take him on.

But somebody beat me to it.

If ever a man won't be missed, it's...

But you still got your talent.

You got what you were after.

You bet I got my talent.

You've seen the people here.

They're scared plenty of me.

And someday it won't only be these people

in this stinkin' town.

I'm gonna be like you.

I'm gonna be known all around.

Yeah, be your own man.

You see some money, you take it.

That's right.

Somebody gives you trouble, you lean on 'em, hard.

Yeah, and I will.

Yeah, you get a reputation as an outlaw.

There won't be a prison where you won't be

looked up to and admired.

Of course, you won't have a home, unless you're in jail.

You won't know what a good man really looks like.

You'll be hungry, chased like a dog.

You'll now what the feel of a bullet is like.

You'll learn to get used to the hatred

you see in the eyes of men.

But that won't matter, will it Jason?

Because you'll be feared.

You'll be your own man.

You know, I don't understand you.

And I want to.

It's mighty important to me to be your friend.

Yeah, I know Jason.

It's a terrible thing to be alone.

That's something that you wouldn't know.

A man like me is always alone.

Except that time when I knew your mother.

There was that time.

There was nothing I could give her but unhappiness.

Funny, all those years ago

when there was nothing good I could do for her.

Maybe now.

Maybe now.

You're looking pretty tired.

You don't look any better.

How are the patients?

Fortunately, I think they're gonna be all right.

We found some milk and some raw eggs.

And the good water?

We've got enough to last 'em through tomorrow.

No further.

Now you better get some rest.

We're gonna be riding out of here before morning.

If we ride fast, darkness on our side,

we might make it through the canyon.

Are you saying we go?

Yes.

This is my town, Hardie.

These are my friends.

I'll decide if we go.

And it may just be that I wanna stay around awhile.

After what's happened, maybe you can

keep these people behind you.

From where I stand, you can't.

When I go outta here I'm taking you with me

if I have to take you in a sack.

It may just be that that's the way

it'll have to be.

Make sure you're up to it.

Is she sick?

Just plain tired.

She's been working with me since this thing started.

Needs some rest.

She oughta be in bed.

I'll take her upstairs.

You go on back to sleep.

You've earned it.

Mr. Hardie?

I couldn't have told those people who you were.

Forgive me for ever wanting to.

Well, I don't believe you ever really wanted to.

Clarissa, Reese and I are gonna

make a run for it tonight.

Once we're gone, the town won't have

any more trouble.

And if we make it, and that's a big if,

but if we do, then as soon as I can

I want to come back here and take you

to some town where we can get you a job,

and you can make something out of your life.

I promise you that.

Can I say thank you?

In my own way?

Oh, Mr. Hardie.

Clarissa's tired, we're all tired,

but two more sick ones just came in.

I gotta have some help.

Let's let her sleep for right now.

I can give you some help.

The barkeeps told me you were leaving.

Yeah.

You're not gonna get out of that canyon.

Not with those men hidden up there.

We can try.

- Hey, let me go with you. - No.

You better go, kid.

I'll talk to you before I go.

When she died, I found this among her things.

I think she'd have wanted you to have it.

Mr. Reese, that Normalie, he's down at the barricade,

unarmed and alone.

Says he wants to see you.

When a man comes in truce, he should be given more respect.

Especially when he wants to offer you your life.

What is it?

Alone.

All right.

You know it's all right to wanna kill a man

if you've got a reason.

And it doesn't cost you anything.

Go on.

Sitting up there with nothing more to do

but take a pot shot now and again's

given me time to think.

And the more I thought, the less mad

I got with you, Reese.

You give me Hardie and I'm all through with you.

Well, I can respect a man wanting to kill

if he's got a reason.

But Hardie?

I'm disappointed in you, Normalie.

I don't want to kill him.

Just use him.

If I could take him, I've got the key to the mint.

How?

Wells Fargo money shipments

are coming through this country all the time.

Hardie telegraphs one of them

to make an unscheduled stop,

and, well the rest is just a matter of detail.

Well, how about it, Reese?

You want your freedom, or do you want

that rope around your neck?

Well now, Mr. Hardie may be hard to convince.

At daybreak, Mr. Hardie sees me and my men

riding north, our patience all wore out.

He takes you south.

We can double back.

Well, how about it?

It's a deal.

We'll meet you at Castle Rock.

Mr. Reese, I'm sure glad I met up with you.

Even if it did put a loop around my neck.

Well, he went for the deal.

We get Hardie tomorrow.

You must have made it real attractive for Reese, huh?

I promised him his freedom.

Freedom?

After all we've been through?

Mr. Pete, I said I promised.

We'll still hang him.

Well, looks like they've ridden outta here. What do you think?

I don't know. Your guess is as good as mine.

Could be a trap.

Yeah, better odds than getting

gunned down at the mouth of the canyon.

Nobody gonna argue with that.

When you planning to leave?

As soon as you're ready.

Still not going outta here without you, you know.

You know, Mr. Hardie?

Whatever Wells Fargo pays you, it's not enough.

You're a mighty stubborn man.

Well, your prisoner's ready to ride.

Good.

Hold it, Hardie.

Don't, Jason.

You're not taking Lou Reese outta here, not while I'm alive.

You go outta here, you go outta here alone.

Now Jason, don't try that again.

You goin' outta here?

Not without Reese.

He's gonna be all right.

Let's go.

This Hardie, he's a Wells Fargo agent.

He's planning to take Mr. Reese to jail.

That true?

That's true.

Now wait a minute.

Wait!

Listen to me.

This is the way I want it.

I can't explain why, but this is the way it has to be.

But he's planning to take you to jail!

This is the way it's gotta be.

Don't interfere.

There's no way to thank you.

No way at all.

Something the matter with your saddle?

No, but I'm glad it looks like there is.

It's been a long, hard ride for me, Mr. Hardie.

I've had to make a decision and I've just made it.

What decision?

Well, back there at the village,

one word and I coulda been a free man.

Yes, I've thought about that.

It's puzzled me a little.

Perhaps you could have been a free man.

But you didn't take it. Why?

I think I know.

Jason?

You think a good deal of the boy, don't you?

Perhaps enough even to try to set a good example for him.

Enough to turn myself into a fool.

Maybe a dead one.

What do you mean?

All I have to do is ride you right on down

there to Castle Rock,

and I'll have my freedom anyway.

But I've got something else in mind.

Right now, there are three rifles

trained on us.

All we can do is keep going straight ahead.

Whose idea was this? Yours or Normalie's?

Doesn't make any difference, as long as it doesn't turn out

the way it was planned.

There's a little place to duck into the rocks

about 30 yards straight ahead.

When we get there, get in there fast.

I sure could stand the loan of a gun.

Now Mr. Hardie, if I'd wanted you dead,

I'd a had them do it back there.

What do you want, Reese?

A gun.

- Reese! - Normalie!

Normalie!

You'll find Normalie over there in the rocks.

You're givin' up awful easy, aren't you Reese?

Why?

I get so tired these days.

I'm looking forward to those regular means,

and a permanent roof over my head.

Yes sir, I'm really ready this time.

All right, let's go.

There's one thing.

Normalie was wanted up in Montana.

Sizable reward on his head.

I earned it, didn't I Mr. Hardie?

Yes, I suppose you did.

I want you to see that the boy gets it.

I want it to pay for his education.

I want him to have a future.

You tell him that's what I want.

I'll do that.

All right, let's go.