Original subtitles

Pa, where are we exactly?

-What was the last place? It was... -Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

Okay. Was that a week ago? Okay, so we're in Wyoming, I think.

What's the next place we come to?

I believe Bender's Flats.

Go on!

I don't serve no Indians.

I'm a half-breed. You served my father. He was white.

Go on. Get out of here.

Hey, serve him.

-You looking for somebody, 'breed? -No.

Good. What do you do?

Anything.

Who told you to come here?

I heard you're not particular.

I heard anyone can ride with you.

Did you also hear I threw a 'breed down a well last year...

with an anvil tied on his foot?

Just in case he didn't drown, he wouldn't be able to crawl out.

What does that tell you, 'breed?

It tells me you like to hear yourself talk.

Give him another one.

Ain't seen you in along spell.

It's been about a year since you've been through here, ain't it?

Been making some wide circles, Joy.

-Good to see you. -You, too.

-Got a loose shoe. Want to take a look? -Sure thing.

Who's inside?

Doc Shabitt.

Whole gang of them rode in about three days ago.

Some Indian joined them less than an hour ago.

-I don't think he's one of them. -He isn't.

I've been tracking him for 300 miles.

Sounds personal.

Yeah.

Go on!

Pilgrims coming.

Go on! Come on!

Howdy.

Hello.

This Bender's Flats?

Bender's Flats, that's right where you are.

Bender's been dead for some few years though.

-Town kind of died with him, I'm afraid. -I'm sorry.

Never knowed Bender myself.

One-legged drunk, so they say.

Got himself caught in a flash flood.

He had three fingers of whiskey still in his jug.

-Unlucky fellow, so they say. -Sure.

Name's Doc Shabitt.

-Y'all come far? -I beg your pardon?

I said, have you come far?

-Yes, Pennsylvania. -Pennsylvania?

That's a right far piece from hereabouts, ain't it?

How come you folks are traveling alone this far north?

There was an outbreak of cholera about two weeks out of Independence.

We had to leave the train. A lot of people died.

Would anybody object if we camped near here for tonight?

What the hell you want to do that for?

We got a perfectly good empty building right across the street...

you are welcome to stay in.

The woman and your rug rat there sweep out the spider leavings...

and the cooties. You'd be right snug.

-Thank you. That's very kind. -You're welcome.

-Shall we just ride on? -Yes.

Yeah, I think we have everything, so we'll just...

Go on, Molly!

I sure do admire them people's horses, Pa.

Yeah, they're nice, ain't they?

Look like Eastern stock.

Maybe Kentucky-bred.

Sure is a heavy load they're pullin' on that wagon.

We could get a sight of money for them mules, too.

We sure could.

I reckon this might be a pretty good deal.

I reckon it might.

The woman's mine.

Been along time since I had me a woman...

that I could smell something of besides garlic and sweat.

Eat your bread.

Pa.

Howdy. Mind if I ride in?

Sure, you can ride in.

I seen your smoke. Figured you might have some coffee.

Yeah, sure we have some coffee.

Thank you, ma'am.

My name is Duncan McKaskel.

You're a mighty handsome woman, ma'am.

-This is my wife. -Kind of figured that.

She's still a handsome woman.

Is there anything else we can do for you?

I rode in to see if you were partial to those two horses you used to have.

-What do you mean, "used to have"? -You don't have them. They've been took.

Tom, check the horses.

Couple of fellows drove them out just before first light.

-They're gone, Pa. Our horses are gone. -Who took them?

Those men you saw in that settlement yesterday.

Why didn't you stop them?

They're not my horses. None of my business.

It's a serious offense, stealing horses.

Folks generally make their own laws out here.

You're gonna have to deal with those men.

No, Duncan, I don't want you to. It's not worth it.

It's just for horses. We can get more.

If you don't go after those horses they'll come for the rest of your outfit...

and your woman.

They're calling you out.

No, Duncan, please. There are too many. I don't want you to go.

Please don't go.

Susanna, try not to be frightened. I'll handle it.

Where are the horses now?

Tied up in front of the saloon, waiting for you.

How do you know so much about this?

-How do we know he's not one of them? -You don't, ma'am.

-McKaskel. -Duncan!

One of them wears a bowler hat. Keep your rifle on him.

If you have to shoot, shoot to kill.

Wounds won't impress them. They've all been shot before.

Susanna, I'll handle it.

Better bring your mules up, boy.

Have this wagon ready to roll if your old man comes back.

Yes, sir.

You mean, when he comes back.

No, ma'am, I mean "if."

Are you his woman?

He's my husband.

I asked if you're his woman.

Yes.

I'm his woman and his wife...

and proud of it.

If he don't come back, you're going to have to make a choice.

Me or them.

'Morning.

I see you found my horses.

Mind telling me what you're doing, mister?

Thank you for holding them for me. They must've run off in the night.

Your horses, you say.

How do we know that?

Those horses just come wandering in here.

We figure to keep them. What do you say, Dobbs?

-I figure we ought to keep them. -That makes two of us.

No, that makes three of us. This just ain't right.

You can't come walking in here and pick yourself out some good horses...

and then ride on out like they were yours.

Can I just ask, is there a preacher in town?

-A what? -A preacher, a man of the cloth.

A preacher?

Well, yes.

I just don't like to think of anybody dying without benefit of clergy.

Hold it, Red. See where he's got that gun aimed at.

These are my horses.

And I'm taking them.

Come on.

Who the hell's he got backing him up?

It ain't his woman or that boy.

When you and Red took them horses, did you see any other tracks?

We never had no call to be looking for tracks.

You said, "Bring them horses in." We brung them in.

Somebody's with him. That's for certain.

Ain't no pilgrim, woman, or boy either gonna be shooting like that.

Take a horse, son. Come on, take him.

-We have to get out of here. -Yes, we do.

We have to get out of here right now.

-Where's that stranger? -He left right behind you.

-We heard shooting. -That must've been him.

There's a couple of men dead.

-The team's hitched and we're packed up. -Good thinking, Susanna.

Not mine. It was his thinking.

He said if you brought the horses back we should get moving fast.

Then let's get moving fast. Tie them on, Tom. Come on.

-There you go. -Thanks, Ma.

Okay, mule, go on now!

Go on!

Son?

They killed my boy.

He was my only son.

Somebody get a shovel.

I'm sorry about all that.

-I had no right to bring you out here. -That's not true.

-We discussed this thing together. -No, but, Susanna--

We all took part in the decision.

And the decision we made was that this was the best thing.

It's easy to make decisions in a comfortable sitting room.

You're not facing it. Out here, we're face to face with it.

Did you aim your rifle right at the man with the bowler hat?

Dead center.

Would you have shot him?

I kept thinking, "If I shoot him, then I'll be dead."

But you went in anyway.

I had to go in. I had no choice.

Did the gunfighter shoot the horse thieves?

No. That man is not a gunfighter, Tom.

I'll bet he is, just like in the dime magazines.

What you read in dime magazines is not real life.

-These are just stories. -Yes, it's just pretend.

They're gone!

"They're gone." God damn, Dobbs, that's a right smart observation.

Folks ain't where they used to be, they're normally gone.

But we don't know anything. Nothing.

We know where he done his shooting from.

Now what's that tell us?

Tells me he can put a bullet in a man's head at 300 yards.

So what? There's six of us against one of him.

-There was eight of us this morning. -Think positive, boy!

Them pilgrims have got four good mules.

They got two fine horses and a heavy-loaded wagon.

And a woman.

I wouldn't be surprised if they're carrying gold...

heavy as that wagon is.

There's only one thing I want off that wagon.

-Are we going after them or not? -Yeah, we're going, Red.

But we'll go nice and slow, 'cause I ain't riding into no heads hot.

How're we gonna change it?

We'll lift it, take this off and put the other one on.

He's back.

First thing you got to do is unhitch those mules.

Better move those two horses. Tie them up somewhere.

Yes, sir.

-What's your name, son? -Tom.

Your old dad wouldn't be in the furniture business, would he?

He was a teacher before we left home.

For a teacher he's got a lot to learn.

-Excuse me, what are you doing? -Got to lift this wagon, ma'am.

-Please be careful-- -Can't do that with all this junk in it.

-I know, but be careful. -Watch your fingers, ma'am.

Watch your hands, lady.

Some of these have been in my family for generations.

Mother and Tom were born on this bed.

This is our home. These things are precious to us.

-Perhaps a man like you can't understand. -No, I reckon not.

I'll take good care of them. We'll get it loaded again.

Okay. I'll help you.

-Here, Tom. -Wait.

-Please be careful with the rocker. -Yes, ma'am, the rocker.

Got it.

-You know what to do, Tom? -Yes, sir.

-Susanna? -Yes.

All right? You ready?

All right, bring her up.

Just a little more.

Almost.

-It's on. -Back.

You got a damn good woman, McKaskel.

Yes, sir. Damn fine.

If I was you, I'd hook up the team...

and leave half of these priceless heirlooms lying right here.

You've helped us. You saved my life.

I shake to think what would've happened to my family if you hadn't.

But I must ask you to be careful how you talk about my wife.

Damn, man, look at her.

Don't you think she's a fine-looking woman?

Yes, I think so. And you can think so.

I just wish you'd stop saying it.

You can't put that in there.

We have to put those pieces in first.

Get into the red rocks.

You'll find a draw to make a camp for the night.

He just assumes we'll do what he says.

Because he knows we need to.

It'd sure be more to my liking if we just rode them down...

and had it done with.

The deeper they get into this country...

the less likely it'll be somebody will step into what's left of them.

All I wanna know is how we're gonna split the goods.

Dobbs, take a ride up there and have a look around.

-We'll wait here. -Hell, Doc, why don't you send the 'breed?

Would you go up there. Can't you see the man is busy?

-Hey, wait a minute, mister. -Should've sent the 'breed.

I got no quarrel with you.

I don't know you.

I ain't even ever seen you before.

There really ain't no call for this.

I wonder why it is the men who plead for mercy...

never give it.

Dobbs was wondering how we'd split up the goods.

Anybody want his boots?

Thank you, Tom.

How about if! read a story to you tonight after dinner?

The dime novels?

If you like.

Figured you ain't had any fresh meat for a while.

Are you going to get down and join us, or are you just passing through again?

Never like to impose, ma'am.

Yes, sir, McKaskel. You are a lucky man.

She can cook, too.

-You think they're still following us? -Damn right I do.

I think they're just sitting back, waiting.

Waiting for you to get bogged down so they can have you dead to rights.

You folks got a lot to learn.

-I think you'll find we're good pupils. -I ain't running no school here, McKaskel.

Keep your eyes open and watch what you're about...

and if you live long enough, you'll learn.

Pardon me...

but we don't even know your name.

Names don't count for much out here, ma'am.

He's called "the Dark Stranger of the Prairie."

Name's Vallian. Con Vallian.

Where are you from?

Hereabouts.

Son of a mountain man and a Blackfoot squaw.

-Your mother was an Indian? -That's right, boy, a Blackfoot.

But that makes you a...

A half-breed.

You folks better stand guard tonight, at least until first light.

When the sun comes up, you should already be on the move.

Don't light that fire again tonight.

You're not staying here with us?

I try never to be where I'm thought to be, ma'am.

You folks ought to try doing the same.

If Shabitt's outfit catches up with you, you'll all be dead.

All except for you, ma'am, and you'll wish you were.

Why do you like to scare her?

God damn it, man, those men are something to be scared of.

The worst they'll do is take everything we own.

-The worst they'll do is kill you. -No, sir, it ain't the worst.

What if those men come and Mr. Vallian's not here?

I'm here.

Yes, sir.

I'll water the mules.

I hurt Pa's feelings, didn't I?

You didn't mean to.

Maybe being sorry means you'll think next time before you speak.

-Mother? -Yeah.

Is it wrong to wish my pa was more like that man?

They're in there.

-They got somebody with them? -I don't know.

There's no fire, no movement.

-How do you know they're in there? -The wagon, the stock.

If they weren't green pilgrims who don't know nothing...

I'd think this was a setup for an ambush.

That pilgrim and his woman and kid don't know nothing about no ambush.

Somebody sure as hell does.

That son of a bitch was probably born during an ambush, or worse.

-Let's just go in and take them, Doc. -You ain't thinking this through, Ike.

We know the pilgrim's got a rifle, it's a repeater.

We don't know if they got other guns or if the woman and boy can shoot.

And if somebody's with them, and they can all shoot--

Maybe I ought to go in by myself.

Just kinda see where they all are.

Especially the woman, huh, Red?

Go on.

Go on, walk on in there.

We hear a shot, we know you bought the farm.

You dumb son of a bitch.

Duncan.

Quick.

No!

Easy.

Take it easy.

You hurt?

-It was one of those men. -Did he hurt you?

No, I hit him with a stick.

You did real good, Mrs. McKaskel.

Real good.

-Duncan. I have to-- -No, let him sleep.

They're not going to try anything else tonight.

-Because of what I did? -That, and they know I'm around.

That makes them nervous.

-You're certain? -Yes.

I think you should know that I love my husband.

That was a mistake.

I know.

I still don't understand why you didn't wake me for my watch.

Mr. Vallian said I didn't need to.

Vallian was here during the night?

I don't think he's ever really very far away.

If I'm gonna stand watch with you and Tommy tonight...

I need something more dependable than a stick.

You're not supposed to do anything. Just wake me.

What if! can't wake you? What if there's not enough time?

What do you mean, what if you can't wake me?

I want you to teach me how to use your rifle and your shotgun.

Is this you talking or Vallian?

You hit it, Ma!

When I was through with that war I promised myself...

I would never again be responsible for the death of another human being.

One does what one has to.

I now realize this country's not just filled with nice, well-mannered people.

Back East, we had laws to restrain them. Out here...

we have nothing.

We have no choice.

I have no choice.

Ike.

He's awake. Go see if the son of a bitch can talk yet.

Hey, Red.

We'd kinda admire to know what happened to you before we went on.

That woman.

Red?

Are you saying a woman done this to you?

She meant to kill me.

Said the woman done it to him.

-Go away. -Yeah.

I don't believe it.

Ain't no way a little snit of a woman is gonna do that to a big man like Red.

No.

I'll tell you what, Doc, why don't you walk over there...

and call him a liar to what's left of the rest of his face?

-Why don't we just give it up, Doc? -What's the matter, boy, you homesick?

-I ain't homesick, I just-- -You know, you got a poor spirit, son!

Your mama must've had weak blood. I'll tell you where we made our mistake...

when we thought they would be easy.

'Cause of that we got three dead and one stove up.

Pilgrims didn't shoot your son.

It was him, and he watches us now.

-What do you mean? -What he's saying...

is that we better get him first, or else he'll pick us off one by one.

Just like he's been doing.

Let's find the son of a bitch! Come on!

You ain't leaving me for crow bait.

I can't ride.

None of you is going nowhere till I can.

This is my brother. He's the handsome one.

He's a lieutenant in the Seventh Cavalry.

-That's General Custer's regiment. -I know, boy.

This is the new house he and his friends are building for us.

It's west of Fort Kearny, at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains.

John's letters made the West sound so romantic.

Beautiful. Opportunities.

Duncan and he are going to raise cattle together.

We're going to supply meat for everyone west of the Mississippi.

That's pretty country.

You folks should be happy up there, if you make it.

What do you mean, if we make it?

What else, Mr. Vallian?

There's something you're not telling us.

-There's an Indian with them. -What tribe?

He's a Ute, boy.

-What makes him so special? -I didn't say he was special.

But he is, isn't he?

He's a good tracker.

What else makes him special?

He led a raid on a Blackfoot camp. Killed a lot of women and children...

including my mother.

We got company.

-What company? -Indians.

What? Where?

-You got any guns besides that rifle? -Shotgun.

Get in the back with it, boy. Let the barrel peek out where they can see it.

Mrs. McKaskel, pick up that rifle. If push comes to shove, use it.

-What are we going to do, watch? -I'm gonna watch you.

-Mrs. McKaskel, hand me your Bible. -A Bible?

-You want me to throw it at them? -I want you to preach.

What're you talking about? I'm not a preacher.

Preach to the earth, the sky, the grass, and to the Sioux.

I'll look like a fool!

Crazier they think you are the safer you're gonna be.

Indians don't see any point in killing crazy people, even white ones.

Go on.

All right, here they come.

Start preaching, McKaskel, and make it good.

All right.

"Now these are the names of the children of Israel..."

Louder.

-"...with Jacob." -Louder!

"Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah..."

Louder, McKaskel.

"And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls...

"for Joseph was in Egypt already.

"Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.

"And the children of Israel were fruitful...

"and increased abundantly, and...

"...let us deal wisely with them...

"lest they multiply, and it come to pass...

"that, when there...

"...falleth out any war...

"and they also join against us, and so get them up...

"...fight against us...

"...afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh..."

He says to shut up.

-What? -He says, shut up!

But it was your idea.

He says while hunger claws at his belly, you're making his head sick.

I'm sorry.

What did he say?

Says they're hungry. They want food.

We don't have much.

McKaskel, that ain't horsehair hanging on that spear, it's scalps.

Susanna, would you pass down that haunch of venison, please?

Tom, get the meat.

Here you are.

Would you like...

You got my...

Thank you.

You did good, McKaskel.

-Are you all right, Susanna? -Yes.

What is it, Vallian?

What did the Indian tell you?

He said that all the plains nations came together at the Little Bighorn.

Custer's dead.

He said that all the men in Custer's regiment are dead.

Do you believe that?

I believe those scalps, Mrs. McKaskel.

John.

I'm sorry about your brother.

So you figuring on turning around and heading back for Pennsylvania?

Nothing to go back to. We sold our house, sent the money to John.

Everything we own is in that wagon.

Then you're going on.

I don't see we have a choice.

-There's always a choice. -Yeah, maybe.

Whatever direction we take, we may still have those men to face.

I'd say so.

-There are six, right? -They're five.

Maybe only four.

What do you mean? You killed one?

What about the other one?

Susanna, what has this got to do with you?

Susanna!

I didn't shoot anyone.

You didn't shoot anyone?

What did you do, knife him, strangle him, what?

-I hit him in the face with a stick. -What?

-Then I beat him. -Where was I during this battle?

Maybe she didn't figure you could handle it.

Shut up.

-You're encouraging this violence. -No, Duncan.

You got your rifle to go get our horses, and you pointed it at a man.

-Mr. Vallian made you do nothing. -I know.

-This could have been stopped. -How?

-Diplomacy, barter. -Then we'd all be dead.

There's steps that are taken after a war. After 20,000 men lie dead.

The fools that led them realize they should've taken them in the first place.

Now I'm one of those fools because I listened to you!

So now, instead of our horses, these men want our blood!

Let me tell you something.

You've been acting like the meek are going to inherit the earth.

The meek won't inherit nothing west of Chicago.

If you're serious about where you're going, dump what you're carrying on that wagon.

I'm through with your advice, Vallian. No more.

'Bye, boy.

Mister?

I want you to stop making my pa look bad in front of my mother.

-Is that what I've been doing? -Yes, sir.

Even if you don't mean it. But I think you do.

Boy, I can't be nobody but me.

Maybe when my mother's watching, you don't have to be so much you.

-Sticking up for your old pa? -Yes, sir.

You listen to your folks, boy. They'll learn you right.

Except about Indians and wild country.

Then you listen to me.

Going hunting at dawn. You want to come along?

I've never hunted.

I never had either, until the first time.

Damn.

Boy, that's got to hurt.

It hurts me just to look at it.

I tell you what, old buddy...

we've got to be on our way.

Not without me, you're not.

-Now, Red, be-- -Don't come no closer, Doc.

What?

You think that I'd harm you?

That hurts my feelings.

Step aside, so I can see them others.

-Red, I'm your best friend-- -Step aside!

Where's the Indian? Where'd he go?

Ute!

Isn't that just like an Indian? Never where they're supposed to be.

I wonder where he went.

What about your pa, boy? Was he in the war?

He was a sergeant in the Union Army. He was a hero.

Is that a fact?

Yes, sir. He killed a lot of rebels.

He got shot at some place called Gettysburg.

He was hurt bad and Ma said it changed him.

Changed him how?

Before the war, Pa had a bad temper and got in lots of fights.

He doesn't do that now.

But if you think my pa's not tough, you're wrong.

-Tough, huh? -As a nail, mister.

Keeping your eyes open, boy?

Sure I am. Why?

You don't always have time to study when you're hunting, boy.

You see and you act.

Only you don't shoot at movement.

Never squeeze off a shot until you know exactly what you're shooting at.

Tender feet, now, they'll shoot at anything that moves.

Shoot cows, horses, dogs, and each other.

Out here, we just kill what we need to live.

Just like the wolf does, or a bear.

-Go on, boy. Get outta here. Get your pa. -Yes, sir.

Get the wagon, Tom.

Where are you hit?

Along way from my heart.

-Are you stemming it? -Yeah.

I ain't going to be much good to you for a couple of days, McKaskel.

It's your fight now.

Damn, what is this stuff?

Kentucky corn liquor, 190 proof.

I use it to clean the rust off my tools.

Susanna, you have to hold his arm 'cause he'll want to move it.

Tom, come over here.

Come on.

Come in there now, put all your weight on his arm.

-He'll try to move it. Don't you let him. -Wait a minute, McKaskel.

-You ever done this before? -You're not scared, are you?

-It's a reasonable question, isn't it? -Sure it is.

It's a reasonable question. Yes, I have.

I've done it a number of times...

never successfully.

-Boy, give me that bottle again. -Here.

All right.

Hold him.

Just give me a second.

I see it.

Got it!

The wagon.

Unload that goddamn wagon.

You should've finished me, Indian.

Duncan, you've hardly spoken to me for two days.

-Are you surprised? -What?

I'm not stupid, Susanna, and I'm not blind.

And I know that.

What is going on with you?

I want to ask you a question. Will you answer me honestly?

I can't answer the question till I've heard it.

-All right! -Yes.

I've never lied to you before and you know that.

Do you love him?

No.

I don't love him.

All right. I'll never mention it again.

Go!

Hi, boy.

Ma, Pa, come quick!

Great God Almighty!

There's your heavy wagon loaded with gold, Doc.

Now, I'll be damned, Doc.

If I ain't mistaken, I think there's somebody in this bed.

Yeah.

I can hear him plain.

That damn pilgrim's laughing at us.

I can't say I blame him none.

We started out with eight. We done down to four.

Ain't no woman doing this to me and getting off scot-free for it.

Payback! That's what I'm talking about.

Payback for my boy and payback for Red's face!

We lost two days on account of Red's face.

They'll be traveling a lot faster now they got rid of all this junk.

I ain't giving up nothing.

And you're in this to the end whether you like it or not.

I got an awful feeling about this, Ike.

We ain't meant to do this.

There's a voice...

talking to me inside.

Ike?

You've been asleep along time.

You just been sitting there looking at me like that the whole time?

Yes.

I've been watching over you for a change.

Does it make you uncomfortable?

Ma'am, when somebody stares at me through a pair of blue eyes like yours...

it makes me real uncomfortable.

You make me uncomfortable, too.

Nobody's ever looked at me the way you do.

Good.

Makes us even, doesn't it?

Another time, another place, Mrs. McKaskel...

I'd have chased you down till you dropped.

I got a lot of feelings for you, ma'am.

But the way I see it, I can't always do what I want to do.

Especially when there are other people's feelings to think about.

You're a real gentleman.

Yeah.

Thank you, Mr. Vallian...

for everything.

You folks probably saved my life.

I reckon that's thanks enough.

-Boys, we lost them. -What?

I done rode a mile circle. There ain't a track anywhere.

-There's got to be sign in all this snow. -Well, I'm telling you, there ain't.

They're traveling with a light wagon, and this is a wet, heavy snow.

They ain't out there.

It's been raining and snowing for two days. No tracks will last in this.

It's too damn early for snow. It ain't gonna last.

They're headed for the Bighorns. No reason they'd change.

Come on, boys, we'll keep on going, we'll pick up their tracks.

-This here's plumb miserable. -Miserable?

You want to talk about miserable, you look at this.

Only thing that's gonna make me feel better is to get even.

I wanna tell you something right now, little brother.

I'm kinda sorry I ain't been listening to you.

It ain't too late, Ike.

Yeah, it is.

Yeah, it is, 'cause we've come too far.

It ain't never too late...

unless you're dead.

Come on!

Duncan, stop!

Are you sure?

Oh, yes.

I'm sure.

-Can I go in? -Sure you can.

What're you making, boy?

I'm making a boat...

to sail on the creek tomorrow.

How's it you never owned one of those handguns yourself?

Because along time ago I planned never to pick up another one.

What kind of work were you in before the war?

-He worked for the Underground Railroad. -The what?

The Underground Railroad. He helped slaves escape into Canada. Didn't you, Pa?

For a living, I taught school.

Were you in the war, Mr. Vallian?

No, ma'am.

I was right up here.

It wasn't any of my business.

None of my business either.

John was right about the sky.

It does somehow seem bigger.

Yes, it does.

I think we can make a good life out here.

I can just feel it.

I know it.

There may be some more bad before the good begins.

We'll just have to handle it, won't we?

Yes, we will.

-Mother? -Yeah.

Can I have a dog here?

I don't see why not.

We'll have to look for one.

But isn't it true that Indians eat dogs?

Yes, I've heard they do.

Mr. Vallian's part Indian.

What if he eats our dog?

I wouldn't be surprised with anything Mr. Vallian did.

We'll just have to hide it from him. Grab that.

You got a good woman, McKaskel.

So you keep telling me.

-Guts. -What?

She's got guts.

Is there anything else you'd like to tell me about my wife?

Nope.

Have you actually ever done a day's work in your life, Vallian?

I've worked hard every day of my life, mister.

At what?

Staying alive.

What do you think, Doc? Upstream, downstream?

Damn, I don't know.

Get some water while we're here.

Ike! What the hell is that?

I'll be damned!

That looks just like a kid's boat, don't it?

Let's go.

In the cabin!

Get on the floor, Tom.

-Oh, God. -Best you come out, ma'am.

We've come along way to talk to you.

We know your men ain't in there.

Leave us alone.

You better come out and be sociable.

That cabin of yours would make a right nice fire.

Remember us?

I haven't come out here to be sociable.

I've come out here to tell you something.

Go on and talk. We got a lot of time.

My husband and my son and I would like very much to be left alone.

You would, huh?

I'm asking you as nicely as I know how...

to turn your horses around and ride away from here.

Please.

What if we don't?

Then you'll die.

We'll die, huh?

Now, you've been warned. That's all I have to say.

Howdy, ma'am.

You remember Red.

You stay right there.

I've waited along time for you, darlin'.

I'm warning you.

Please!

Stop!

Get down there.

-I'll be there as quick as I can. -Okay.

-Are they gonna kill us, Mom? -No! Get under the table!

-Let's get out of here. -Gather up some kindling.

-Put it at the back. I'll cover you. -Let's get outta here.

Damn it, I said do it!

Duncan.

They tell me burning is a terrible way to die!

-Ike? -Yeah?

-You got enough? -Yeah.

Well, light it up!

You still got time, lady.

You got a choice.

That's more than my boy ever had.

Ike?

Yeah.

Is it burning?

Yeah.

Drop the gun.

-I said, drop it. -It's Pa!

Tom, down!

Now, normally...

when a man's got a gun trained on me...

I do just what he says.

But I don't think you got the gumption to pull that trigger.

It's one thing to kill a man from a distance like an animal.

It's something else to kill him when you're looking him in the eye.

Ain't it, pilgrim?

Susanna.

Tom.

Mister.

Damn.

You folks are quick.

Both of you.

But you still gotta remember to watch your back.

-You're off and away. -Yup.

Blackfoot woman up on the Green River expects me about this time every year.

How is the chest wound?

It's fine. I almost forgot about it.

-Back to normal and ready for anything. -You bet I am.

You're slowing down a little, Vallian. You should consider a different kind of life.

I ain't slowing down that much, McKaskel.

There's something you should know before you leave.

You've angered me, you've embarrassed me...

you've shamed me, you've certainly worried the hell out of me.

But through it all...

there's something that I've always responded to.

There's a kindness in you, Vallian.

That's what I'll miss.

You're welcome to Sunday dinner anytime...

on one condition.

You come with it draped over your horse.

I'd like that.

I'd like seeing that fine-looking woman of yours anytime.

You got a little sand there, McKaskel.

With nourishing, you're apt to turn out to be quite a Westerner.

-'Bye, boy. -'Bye, sir.

I told you my pa was tough!

Your husband just said goodbye.

So I see.

So you're leaving?

I don't want to overstay my welcome.

I hope you find a good life somewhere.

My life ain't that bad, ma'am.

For me, it's the best. Always the best.

I guess wild things don't do well in gardens.

Wild things got to be free.

You got a couple of good men over there, Mrs. McKaskel.

Take care of 'em.

Take good care of yourself, Susanna.

You take good care of yourself, Con Vallian.