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Liza...

looks like we got one of 'em.

Put it right between his eyes.

We're gonna have us a little fun first.

He's getting closer. Kill him!

Don't be in such a hurry.

- Kill him! - I said no, didn't I?

Up here!

Get down there.

- Get his rifle and his gun belt. - Right.

- See if he got any grub. - Right.

Get off your horse, throw away your gun belt.

What's this all about?

What do you want?

Oh, hush up, White man.

Don't move!

Don't worry, I wasn't figuring on it.

Just stay right where you are 'til my man comes down here.

Yeah, I was planning on doing just that, ma'am.

That thing's got a hair trigger on it.

What they call you?

Hoss.

Hoss Cartwright.

Hoss?

Ah, that's a good name.

Yeah.

I think I'll hold onto you for awhile.

No, we ain't!

I said we hanging on to him.

We're going back up on top.

That way we can see who's coming.

Pass around that rock, put your hands down.

You're gonna need 'em to climb with.

Bring that fine horse of his.

Move, White man.

You ain't but started.

Put your hands behind your back.

Where's Solomon?

I don't know no Solomon.

You're gonna learn

I ain't gonna be standing around for no fooling around out of you.

Find any grub?

Yeah, canned stuff.

Beans, peaches... shells, money too.

Hmm.

Here.

You right on time.

Me and Liza was thinking about eating old Clare there.

I ain't got no idea what you're talking about.

Pretty soon you gonna be finding out.

I'm gonna fix us some grub. You want me to fix some for him, too?

No.

Ain't gonna be living long enough.

Go up on top and keep watch.

You know what, Hoss?

Be a pillow for your shoulder.

What I was saying awhile back...

is that I done caught myself a friend.

Look...

I don't know...

I don't know nothing about what you're talking about.

But who are you anyhow?

Oh, Buck Walter.

Now... Buck, none of this makes sense to me.

You know what?

That there is the very same thing I told Solomon once.

Who is this Solomon?

Aw.

Making like you don't know.

Second time you lied, White man.

About time you met my friend.

What's in there?

Truth.

Big old Borella.

It's cold in these hills before sunup.

They're easy to catch when it's cold.

Can't hardly get out of their own way.

Figure to catch me a whole mess of them.

Wait 'til Solomon and his bunch ride to the bottom of the butte,

spill 'em on 'em...

scatter 'em...

Those that live that long.

Me up here with a rifle...

I'd have me a turkey shoot.

Why?

Where's Solomon?

I don't know.

A rattler gets hot, it gets mean.

Where's Solomon, how far back?

I don't know. I told ya.

Pointing at you, Hoss.

Looking to strike somebody. You're the only one he see.

Why are you doing this? Why?

Truth-getter.

This here butte ain't close to no roads, no cattle trails, no nothing.

Where you heading?

I was on my way home.

- You lying. - I ain't.

Where you coming from?

Coming from Ledbetter.

Bull rattler almost got away.

I shot him.

But I got something better.

Got you.

You...

you and that... That woman of yours...

what's the matter with you anyhow?

Hard to tell which one of us is crazier, huh?

Yeah.

Well...

Makes a man wonder.

Maybe we got cause.

Robbing a total stranger and sicking a rattlesnake on him?

The truth is, Hoss, we celebrating.

- What? - Celebrating!

You know, like when something good happens to you.

Yeah.

Well, I ain't never had nothing like this happen to me before.

Yeah.

'Cause you ain't Black.

Maybe.

This Solomon...

is... is he after you? Is that why you're up here?

Partly.

What's he after you for?

Kill us.

Well, it looks like you'd be running instead of hanging around up here.

What my wife said...

about two of us riding in time, one whole horse.

She about wore here feet to the bone.

Down there on the flat...

they'll kill us quick and easy.

But up here...

they've got to come through that narrow path.

And I'll kill 'em all.

If they're the law, they'll just keep coming.

They'll get you.

They may have to starve you out, but they'll get you.

Sure.

Liza and me know we ain't gonna be leaving this butte.

But before we go...

we gonna get everything White we can get a gun sight on...

with us.

Our celebration.

Well?

Reading these tracks is nothing. You can do it as well as me.

I have.

But you get paid a dollar a day extra for tracking.

So you tell me and earn your dollar.

Buck's woman rode her horse into that bush.

She is Buck's wife.

Liza.

Liza Walter.

Wife, woman, what's the difference?

Ask your wife.

They've been walking a mile and riding a mile.

Buck's walking two now and riding one.

He's wearing shoes and she ain't.

How far ahead are they?

How should I know?

They might be stopped over that ridge.

Would you?

Figuring to get yourself killed, would you, uh...

stake out in the open?

No, but I ain't a murdering savage...

I know what you are.

You are a man that don't even like hisself.

I married your sister. That's good sense.

I guess.

But you still ain't earned your dollar.

How long ago would you say Buck left here?

Seven, eight hours.

Headed for Phantom Creek if he can find it.

He'll find it.

Why he's circling north?

We could have had him by dark if we rode harder.

I guess I'm gonna have to kill Buck.

But I ain't never killed a woman before.

I don't want to.

You're letting 'em get away.

No, I'll get 'em.

I've just been letting the sun boil the juices out of 'em

and the sand blister her feet,

hoping maybe he'll leave her and go on alone.

Yeah... hoping. That'll get you nothing.

Well, that's Buck's wife with him.

He's gonna have to show her he's the man that she thinks he is.

He did that when he killed young Ledbetter.

A man has to keep on going and showing his wife.

You got something else to worry about.

Daddy Ledbetter's hired gun hand.

Riding up our trail,

wondering why you haven't done your job.

Yeah.

Let him come.

This place sure hasn't changed.

There's nothing in this town to make Hoss a week late, that's for sure.

I've seen livelier graveyards.

Something must have kept him.

Even the jail isn't doing any business.

I'll ask at the Cattlemen's Association.

He must've stopped there.

I'll check with Andy Toll

down at the livery stable and I'll try the restaurants.

- All right. - If Hoss ate in any one of those,

the owner will sure remember him.

It's my fault that Hoss stayed in Ledbetter.

I told him about that sorrel.

As soon as he saw it, he had to have it.

It shouldn't take him five days to buy a horse.

It does if Dave Bent owns it.

Well, when did he leave?

Well, like I was telling youse...

I told you to saddle my horse.

I did, he's in the stall.

Well, get him.

Hey, wait a minute, mister, I'm talking to the man.

I'll be right back, Joe.

You see, he knows me.

I mean, uh, I whistle and he runs.

Now that should tell you something.

Yeah, but you wouldn't wanna hear it.

Maybe.

Here you are.

Hyah... hyah!

I'm sorry, Joe.

He's Ledbetter's gun hand.

He lives here, you don't.

Forget it.

Like I was asking, when did my brother leave?

When I was telling you.

When you dicker with Bent,

he tells you he's gonna auction the horse

as soon as a rich buyer comes in from Texas.

Yeah, but when did my brother leave?

When he bought the horse, the day before yesterday.

- Hello, Andy. - Hi, Ben.

- Good to see you. - Thank you.

Yeah, Hoss was in town for five days.

I know, the hotel clerk just told me.

Sure would like to know why.

- He bought a horse. - He what?

Buying a horse.

We have a whole herd of horses back at the Ponderosa.

Not like this sorrel.

I never seen a horse I wanted so much in my whole life.

It was, uh, a special horse.

You have a birthday coming up, remember?

Oh... yes, I have.

We should've met him on the road.

That road wanders to hit all the towns.

There's more than one way to Virginia City.

Why don't you ask Bent?

He knows which road he took.

Hoss left from out there.

How do we get to Bent's place?

First road east, mile out of town.

All right, we'll try there.

Thank you, Andy, we'll see you later.

- Take care. - Bye.

Don't work too hard, huh?

Hey.

What are you doing?

Try that again and I'll break your hand.

I'm thirsty.

I ain't wasting no water on you.

You'd let a human being die for nothing?

I mean, would ya?

Ain't for nothing.

Then what's it for?

I hate White people.

But why?

'Cause they mean.

Oh, there's meanness in everybody.

Ain't the same.

It's y'all thinking that you're better.

Acting like poor colored folks ain't got no feelings.

May be true of some White folks.

Maybe even most of 'em,

but not with all of them, and that's for dang sure.

You see somebody being mistreated and you don't do nothing to help 'em.

How I'm gonna know you ain't with 'em?

That's the way White folks is.

That's why I hate 'em.

All of 'em.

Yeah, well... what about you?

You was just fixing to blow my head off.

We ain't got nothing to lose.

We don't care no more.

Then that don't make you no better than the rest of them, does it?

That's been the trouble.

We've been trying to be better.

But now Buck and me, we counting on being just like y'all.

Howdy.

It's obvious you gentlemen know fine horses when you see 'em.

And you'll never see finer animals than those two.

I own this establishment.

Dave Bent... Davy to my friends.

Bent.

Uh, Davy, we heard a lot about a sorrel you had.

Oh, yes, that one.

Beautiful horse.

But sold.

Now, these two... I'm selling them at auction...

As soon as a wealthy buyer from Texas comes in.

Mr. Bent, my name is Ben Cartwright.

My son Hoss was the fella that bought that sorrel from you.

Now, what we'd like to know is when did he leave here

and which direction did he take?

Left the day before yesterday.

Went by way of Phantom Creek.

Oh, yeah.

Good water there.

Pleasant break in a weary ride.

A little hard to find.

Well, we've been there.

Thank you very much.

They coming?

No.

But I found me a good seat up there.

Got a feeling they ain't too far off.

I think I'm gonna keep steady watch.

I'm thirsty, Buck.

Give him some water, hon.

I said no and I meant it. I ain't giving him nothing!

I wasn't talking to you, I asked Buck.

Well, I'm Ms. Buck!

And I said no.

You watch Hoss now.

Them horses need some watering.

Be a waste. We ain't gonna be riding 'em.

But do what you want.

Giving them horses water before you would me?

Horses ain't wearied me none, White folks have.

And I've had all I want out of you.

Well, they were here, but they didn't stay long.

Bring 'em on down.

Water the horses and fill your canteens.

You stay here.

Rest for awhile.

I'll be back soon.

Where are you going?

Up there.

Country turns rough now. Lots of buttes and canyons.

A man on the run takes to the high ground.

He wants us to come to him

and he'll take as many of us with him as he can.

You go wandering around there alone, you just might get yourself killed.

Might lose your job even.

I've been doing this job for a long time.

I ain't never been killed yet.

And you?

Now, why ain't you tracking like you're supposed to be?

Why don't you ask the sheriff? He'll be back before long.

But you are his, uh...

deputy.

Mm-hmm.

Now, what's wrong with my asking you?

You got any questions about plans...

you better ask Solomon.

Oh, I will.

I surely will.

But in the meantime, why don't you water my horse?

Just make sure he don't drink any of that slime, huh?

It's your horse. You water him.

I said water him.

Now.

Hold it!

We'll settle this later...

Deputy.

Anytime, gunfighter.

I don't know who started it and I don't want to.

But I'm telling you, I don't want no more of it!

We'll move out in ten minutes.

We've got about three hours of daylight left.

If we push, we could get to Phantom Creek before dark.

I'm sorry, I... I dozed off.

Stay here.

He might double back.

- Don't let him sneak up on you. - Yes.

Hoss?

Run and I'll have to kill ya.

Give up now and we'll let bygones be bygones.

Hoss?

You gonna come in easy or make me work for you?

Can you hear me, Hoss?

I don't know about you, Hoss, but I've done run plumb out of time.

You got one minute.

Dead center.

A wild shot like that.

Luck run out, huh?

Buck... Buck?

I told ya to stay up there!

Now go on, get!

And keep watch!

Go on, anytime you're ready.

Pick up your hat and come on.

Looks like that's where the shooting's coming from.

We should take a couple of men, ride around the other side,

see if you can find out what it was all about.

You really think he can get down that side?

Not unless he's half monkey.

That cliff's steeper than a flagpole.

Bet you can see the top from there.

Go around the other side. We'll meet you up yonder.

Right.

Make it fast, Cal.

Why are you stalling?

I mean, why don't we ride straight in and take 'em now?

You go ahead if you're in a hurry to die.

Then what are you going to do?

Gonna make camp where I can see that butte

and where he can't put a bullet in us.

Come dark, we'll find the trail he used going up.

Come daylight, we'll be covering that trail.

I'm hoping he'll run out of water and begin to sweat.

Maybe he'll even surprise me and surrender.

Well, you should've taking him long before now.

But this... this... This cat-and-mousing,

and that black Buck is still alive, and you know something else?

Daddy Ledbetter, he ain't gonna like this at all.

Why don't you ride back and tell him?

A lot of tracks around that waterhole makes it hard to read.

Let me have some coffee, huh?

Well...

a lot of desert.

It's the only water around.

Yeah, most of those tracks are fresh.

I got a feeling that posse came through this way.

Thanks.

- You mean the Ledbetter posse? - Mm-hmm.

People on the run in the desert have to go where the water is.

That means that Hoss and that posse

and the killer are somewhere up ahead.

You just guessing.

Horses are tired, we're tired.

We can't track in the dark,

so why don't we have something to eat,

get rest, and we'll start out with the first light?

Yeah, I suppose you're right.

Well, you, uh... see anything?

Don't expect to.

But I got ears.

Buck tries to bring horses down that trail,

he's gonna make plenty of noise.

Two horses went up to the butte.

Buck and Liza got somebody else up there with him.

He could've met somebody on the trail...

stolen his horse and killed him.

No.

We would've found the body or the grave.

I'm wondering, prisoner or a friend?

How much?

How much what?

Reward.

What's Dad Ledbetter offerin' for Buck?

2,000.

And he don't want no trial.

I'm listenin'.

For what?

The rest of it.

Is that the price for one or both?

2,000... apiece.

I knew it.

You come chargin' up our trail like a cyclone wind,

you're chasin' money.

Sonny Ledbetter was a friend of mine.

As a matter of fact, he was my best friend.

Sure, as much a friend as you ever had.

And that ain't much.

Come to think of it, you two had a lot in common.

You know, I am gonna remember what you said, Sheriff,

and one of these days...

I'm gonna make you regret having said it.

You do that.

Nothin' like hate to keep a man awake.

Your watch, I'm turnin' in.

They're sleeping.

They'll wait 'til daylight.

Then they come.

Buck...

I've been thinking about Hoss.

Mm-hmm.

Maybe we should let him go.

No.

We're gonna need him.

For what?

For insurance.

They'll think twice when they know we got a White man up here.

- Buck... - Hmm?

There's something I didn't tell you.

Earlier when he got away and you went after him...

I was hoping you'd let him go.

You what?

You're gonna wake him up.

It's crazy and it doesn't make any sense.

Teach 'em they can't go messing around

with colored folks all the time.

You so mean, how come you didn't kill him?

Hmm?

Oh, I didn't tell you, but he tricked the fool out of me.

He bloodied a hole in his shirt

and tricked me into thinking he was dead.

Shh.

Something as old as that?

He filled up, his "possuming."

Anybody could have been fooled.

Mmm.

I guess I better go back up on top.

- Buck? - Hmm?

Life ain't been too bad.

I ain't asleep, Liza.

Might as well be.

Ain't gonna do you no good to stay awake.

I got something bothering me about you and Buck.

What'd he do anyhow?

Done stood up and been a man.

But... what'd he do to make that Solomon chase him?

Why is he after him anyhow?

Killed a White man who was breaking in on us.

Why'd he wanna do that?

He wanted our farm.

We wouldn't sell, so he was fixing to run us off.

Done everything he could to scare us off.

Poisoned our livestock,

burned our barn... with our son in it.

Your child?

My child.

Li... Liza!

Which way?

Over there.

You all right?

Thad?

Thad, you out there?

I heard something fall up in that butte up there.

Couldn't tell what it was.

Thad.

Shooting stopped up there now.

If he'd have won he'd been out on that rim

where we could see him, crowing like a rooster.

You'll live.

Buck, you gotta get your wife down off this butte.

Call down there below and tell 'em you're gonna send her down, go on.

She won't go.

You've gotta make her go.

If you don't wanna get her killed.

Buck?

Buck Walter?

I hear ya, Solomon.

Give yourself up.

Liza won't get hurt, and I'll guarantee you get to stand trial.

Too late!

Got us a White man up here!

Rich White man!

You come for us, he gonna get killed!

That's only gonna make it worse!

Now come on down!

Ha! How worse?

You gonna hang me with two ropes?

I'll send Thad down.

You sneak around the butte, you'll find him.

- Howdy. - Howdy.

Heard some shooting. Thought there might be some trouble.

There is.

We've got a prisoner trade.

Solomon Budd, sheriff of Ledbetter.

Oh.

Ben Cartwright, Virginia City.

My son, Joseph.

- How are you? - Howdy.

Getting him up on that butte, huh?

Yeah.

Gonna be kind of tough getting him down.

He's got a prisoner up there with him.

That could be my son, Hoss.

Could be. He's a White man.

Time to move out.

Right up there.

It's the woman.

Liza Walter, Buck Walter's wife.

Now, you can help, but you gotta do exactly like I say.

I'm gonna scatter the posse out so they can see the top of the butte.

You're with them if you wanna come along.

Now, we'll start now.

No, you're gonna come with me.

As soon as you get into position,

I'll give the signal, you'll begin firing,

but don't hit the White man.

I'll go up the trail, Cal will follow.

Sheriff, I don't wanna argue...

You are arguing.

Yeah wait a minute, that woman up there

- she's got a rifle, ain't she? - Yeah.

She's liable to use it.

Now, if you get her in your sights...

you don't have to pull the trigger.

Look... you may be making things out worse

than they really are, Buck.

As long as you're still alive, there's a chance.

Ain't nobody hanging Buck Walter.

Buck, your son was killed. You killed the man that did that.

Maybe you had a right to do that.

You can't tell what a court's gonna do.

Liza, talk to him.

You can't tell him nothing he don't already know.

What about you?

I'm staying with my man.

They're doing a lot of moving around down there,

fixing to start something.

It's starting.

Go on, Hoss, get out of here.

- Oh, man, you can't... - I'm done crawling!

Life's for men who can live it.

Reckon you've got strength enough to get her off this butte?

Help me get her to my shoulder, I can make it.

Get out of here.

Hoss?

Fall down that butte with my wife and I'll kill you.

Come on down, Buck. Offer still stands.

Gunfight here, hanging there. What's the difference?

Here you ain't got a prayer.

I ain't got one nohow.

Last chance.

I got him, I got him!

You like yourself now?

You go bury him.