Original subtitles

Howdy. What's your business, mister?

Just talking to a freighter down the line, asking if we might buy some

What are you doing riding with them engines?

They're my drovers. Cattle herds for their people. They, uh, they wrap a

tribe. All right, I'll sell you cattle that's 50 cents a head.

Only because I know their bones will be bleaching in the badlands.

You know him, Uncle Sid?

Knew him a long ways back.

We're gonna drive 200 head over the Hobbs Range into Colorado.

Take cattle across that wasteland?

Yeah, and I'm getting a mite tired of people telling me it can't be done.

A cook, huh?

You'll be putting up with the night with that storm headed in. Putting up for

the night here?

That's company rules, ma 'am.

With the entire room, you have to choose a place right on top of us.

I never met up with a more edgy female.

He must have been walking a long time.

I see that little girl being too hurt to climb back up to the road and trying to

get out the other way.

Can you help us search?

Young lady, looking at me with them big blue eyes, I don't see how I can refuse

you. Oh, thank you.

Go on in that canyon. We'll need us four saddled horses.

See that, Daniel?

Unshot.

Indian pony.

He's heading back time for me.

We can't look for Jesse ourselves.

Suppose I offer you $100 to continue with us.

Man's got to look to his own scalp if you get my meaning.

All right, $500.

You got yourself a pay -drawn scalp.

Let's go.

Guess I was foolish for running away from you. I would have died without your

help.

One night and we'll be somewhere.

We're talking about women being here and having to listen to you. Josh, don't

interfere. Oh, you figure that's gruff talk.

Yes. What are you going to do when it comes to the doing?

I think you better move on now. Go on. Move.

Leave him alone.

Did Seb McCann give you that scar?

I'm raising your fee to $1 ,000.

It was the other $500 for.

You will behave respectfully towards my niece and my nephew and myself.

I'm going to see that you boys get every last dollar you think I owe you.

We'll be in touch.

You can figure on it. We'll be in touch.

That mountain man, he's carrying a lot of cash.

It may be worthwhile if we met up with him. Couldn't take more than five of us.

Whoa, whoa, boys.

Too much alkali in the river up ahead, Tap. We're going to have to stampede the

cattle across before they get a chance to drink.

What,

Mr. Henry?

Oh, nothing, son. I was just talking to myself.

It's a habit I picked up when I used to stay at night watch to see.

Jeffrey be good cook.

Mr. Henry does the cooking. Then you're a good helper.

Me like Jeffrey, maybe.

I don't want no engine liking me.

What do you got against engines, boy?

What if I meet my dog?

Well, I reckon a whole lot worse things than that can happen to a man in his

lifetime.

It would be a big help to scout a day or two ahead for water. There's no doubt

about that. I just don't like the idea of you out there alone in Apache

Luke. I told you not to worry.

I've acquired a little savvy in rough country. I can take care of myself.

Luke, I got a thing I want to say to you.

Been watching you grow, boy.

I'm proud.

I don't figure you're any more of the custom to handing out a compliment as I

to getting one.

Take care, Luke.

I'll do that, Uncle Zeb.

The direction he took, yeah.

I'd say he's got selling on his mind.

Selling?

Selling what?

Slave trade's flourishing business south of Cimarron, ma 'am.

Slave trade?

Oh, my God.

Not just colored.

Patchy's down along that border buying men, women, white and red.

They sell them to the mountain Comancheros, a place they call Valley of

Lord, Mr. Beasley, we've got to move faster.

We have to catch up with them somehow.

Yeah, well, the trouble with following a trail is we keep moving slower than

they do.

What?

There's got to be some way.

Well, I got an idea.

You're up to it.

Yes, what is it?

Cut right across them flats.

Meet them in a place they call Crazy Man Pass.

What, out there?

Don't change an Indian's nature, ma 'am.

That buck is going to stick right along these rim rocks here.

All the way down south.

I'm not going to leave a trail for anybody to follow.

We're never going to catch up to them that way.

We cut a ride across those flats.

Riding day and night, we stand a pretty good chance of meeting them at the pass.

By daylight.

That's if he's gone where I think he's gone.

Of course, that's a real rough ride.

Especially for a woman.

Rough it may be.

But we'll ride through those flats, and if needs be, we'll ride both day and

night, Mr.

Peasley. Come on, get up.

Get up.

Come on, Daniel.

Move it.

out here.

I know you could travel a lot faster by yourself.

But I really hate that you don't take any notice of me.

Well, if you were talking to me in no matter what language, I'd be looking at

you.

That's a polite thing to do.

Jesse.

said my name.

I thought you didn't understand.

Jesse.

Jesse, that's my name.

What's your name?

Jesse.

Tilo.

Tilo.

Tilo.

That's a nice name.

You look nice when you smile.

There's an old man in those rocks.

Didn't you hear me?

He might need help.

What is the matter with you?

You helped me.

I just want to see if he needs help.

I don't know what's the matter with you.

He might be dying of thirst.

She'd say, like, oh, she went, ah.

Now she's, oh, she's not gay, that's what they go.

But she went, ah.

She died yesterday.

No, no, she's not going to stay.

She's going to take care of herself, though.

She's not going to stay.

She's going to take care of herself.

I brought you some food and water.

But you've been out here all day in this hot sun.

You'll die.

I will die very soon now.

But I don't understand.

It is the way.

I knew we should have come earlier.

When we first saw you.

But he wouldn't let me.

My grandson was right.

Grandson?

His father forbade him to stay behind.

But he would not listen.

And so he found you.

It was written.

So go now. My spirits call.

My time is here.

It's a...

There you go in there in the Schneider

I owe a lot to you, Tilo.

If I was caught out here all alone in the sandstorm, I probably would have

hugged the ground and died.

I keep forgetting that you don't understand what I'm saying.

Do you mind me talking?

Sometimes I think you can sense what I'm talking about.

Anyway, something happened to me today when we were burying your grandfather.

I don't understand the words you were saying over his grave, but I knew it was

some sort of a prayer.

Tilo, it was so strange.

I was talking to your grandfather not more than a minute.

Then I saw him die right in front of my eyes.

But as I listened to you pray over his grave, not knowing what you were saying,

I knew him.

I suddenly knew an old man who wouldn't eat or drink, and he said it was his

time to die.

He even spoke English.

I guess he was a big chief.

Are you going to be a big chief someday?

Keep forgetting that you don't understand my words.

I think you will be. Big chief of your tribe.

There isn't much water left.

done someday.

I'll have you hanging by your scalp locks by the time the sun sets.

You may not be the worst shot in Eastport, but you sure qualify to be his

brother, I'll tell you that.

Now, you might try saying thank you before you start criticizing my aim,

Besides, I don't want to kill somebody unless I have to.

Well, I sure can't fault you for that.

It would be a better country if more people had your views.

Here, help me pick up these papers, will you?

Papers?

You need a better idea to get out of these parts before them renegades decide

come back and lift a couple scalps? If you spent all winter writing up these

legal opinions, you'd gamble a few locks not to have to redo all that work, too.

Anyway, those two were drunk when they jumped me.

It's sleeping off time for them now.

Oh, by the way, my name is Darryl Renson.

Luke Smith.

Oh, come on, boy. If you're gonna lie about your name, use some imagination.

Say that you're Luther G.

Hoppenfeather. Nobody will give you a second look.

I'll have to remember that.

Renson? That be Judge Renson?

Same.

We ever meet before?

Uh, no.

I just heard of the name.

Well, maybe you got some reason to stay clear of the law, is that it?

Well, if it is it, you best I keep that fact to myself, wouldn't you say, Judge?

Well, I believe in the scales balancing themselves out, so you can just feel

that I owe you. So barring murder and mayhem and rape, why, you can just

consider that the law owes you a favor.

Well, I never saw it enough fair to commit any of those crimes, Judge.

Well, I sure am glad to hear that.

Name's Luke McCann.

McCann?

If I remember right.

My Uncle Zeb said you were a judge up in Three Rivers, held a hearing on his

killing of two men.

Zeb McCann.

Well, I sure do know Zeb McCann.

Hey, uh, isn't he heading up some sort of cattle drive from down here using an

all -Indian crew?

Well, the fact is they're watering near Stone Creek. He used to hear it.

That's where I was headed when I spotted you.

I've got to go right past there on my way to Las Mesas. I'll tell you what,

join up with you. We'll stop in and say hello. How's that?

That's the deal.

Yeah, sure, I'm glad you saw me here.

That all Missouri wants you for?

Isn't that enough, shooting a sheriff in the arm? Ah, the way you talk about

him, you didn't have much choice in the matter.

About that horse -stealing charge.

I might say I didn't have much choice there either, Judge.

It was either get out fast or get lynched without a trial.

Suppose you tell me exactly what happened, Luke. I mean, if you were

the child.

How did you manage to travel all the way to Missouri?

Managed it mostly at night.

Walked some, got rides partway in a wagon and a riverboat I sneaked aboard.

It wasn't long after that Missouri had posters out on me.

Anyway, just kept heading in the general direction of home.

I was on foot crossing the Missouri border.

I was in uniform and came across a dead civilian, so I changed clothes with him.

Now, wait a minute, boy.

You telling me you were deserting from the army?

No, sir.

I wasn't deserting anything, because I wasn't ever in the army in the first

place.

And I'll tell you about that later.

I sure picked the wrong man to change clothes with.

That boy sure is a picture of a peaceful soul, ain't he, though?

Morning. Oh, see?

Wait, Sheriff.

I ain't no horse to you.

You ride in on that there animal?

Yeah.

I sure did.

But I didn't steal it.

I found him.

I can even vouch for that there statement.

Fact is, I even witnessed this boy finding my horse in my pasture.

Well, give me a chance to explain, will you? You say you put a bullet in this

fellow. I don't see no wound.

Thought I did.

Saw him lurch clean over the horse's neck when I fired.

Told you I hit him.

Yeah, you hit him all right, mister.

As a matter of fact, he's dead right now.

See, I found his body and the horse was standing right next to him.

Well, I just wanted to change clothes with him. That was all.

See, I needed a horse because I had to get to a doctor.

I had to get to a doctor. My wound broke open and it was bleeding again.

That story don't sit straight.

No, how?

Well, I can prove it to you.

Yeah, I can prove it to you. I can take you to the body.

There's bodies scattered all over this countryside.

Now, you traded clothes.

What would be the reason for that?

Well, I was still in uniform.

I had to get out because I might be picked up.

What kind of uniform are you talking about?

Union.

Shoot.

Union Army.

You're nothing but a deserting Yankee horse thief.

We got us a rafter right here.

And a rope.

He deserves everything he's gonna get.

Sheriff, I'm not a deserter or a horse thief.

In fact, I wasn't even in the Union Army.

Look, my name's Luke McCain. I come down from Nebraska looking for my pa.

This, this, this army patrols was shorthanded. They put a uniform on me

put a rifle in my hand.

You doing a fight?

Yeah.

Shiloh.

Sheriff, you're not going to let them hang me.

You kill any southern boys in that battle, Shiloh?

A boy no older than me.

That's when I threw down my rifle.

Sheriff, I was just so, so sexy in that boy dying that I just walked away from a

war I wasn't even supposed to be in.

No, wait, Sheriff!

Sheriff! Sheriff, I'm innocent!

Sheriff, you can't hang a man without a trial!

A man who steals a horse, he's a sinner!

He gets himself strung out on the same day!

Make it back!

Stay back!

They say the sheriff denies that he and his men were attempting to hang you. Is

that right?

Well, I read in the papers.

Both of them swearing up and down that they were just trying to tie me up, not

lynch me.

Well, you sure got yourself a problem, son.

I can tell you that.

Well, but some things could be proved, Judge.

Like the fact that...

The horse Luke was riding wasn't stolen by him. He just found it.

It's no longer relevant.

In escaping from that town after wounding the sheriff, Luke was knowingly

on that stolen horse.

It sure wasn't on my mind to be fussy about how I left town.

It just seems to me a rank shame that Luke can't be running around free after

all this time. By the way, he's got to be looking back over his shoulder. A

bronc and a corral's got more running room than he's got.

Now, Judge, let me tell you something. I know how it is with all you politicians

back there in Washington.

I mean, judges and governors and such like that. You all eat from the same

trough, so to speak.

Well, I'd prefer another analogy.

All right, what's your point? Well, the point is, you figure you owe Luke here a

favor for what he done.

All right, why don't you find somebody in Missouri that can help him out that

you figure owes you a favor?

let's consider the options.

One, we could have Luke surrender himself in the state of Missouri and

the wisdom and the mercy of a Missouri judge.

Of course, I don't imagine I'll hear a great deal of applause and a loud

stomping of feet about that suggestion.

Well, as the professor that taught me the law once said, every lawyer worth

his salt could find a loophole in the Ten Commandments of press.

Luke, I think that we'll have you arrested in the territory of New Mexico.

In the fourth judicial district over which I preside.

Wait a minute.

I'm not wanted for anything in New Mexico. Or are you saying that I can get

fair trial from you for what I'm wanted for in Missouri?

No, no, no.

You'd still have to stand trial in the state of Missouri where the alleged

was committed.

That's our little loophole.

You see, Missouri would have to ask for extradition.

And I will simply recommend against the extradition. Well, all right, then I'd

take care of them in New Mexico. But what about outside the territory?

Well, the Missouri governor would pardon them. A pardon?

I do love a back door.

And that's what we have here.

You see, the hearing under my jurisdiction would prove that Luke

victim of a crime.

Certainly not his perpetrator.

I see. And you figure that the governor of Missouri would go along with your

judgment on that?

Oh, I think he'll trust my instincts that justice is being well served. The

as I have trusted his on occasion.

Now, we may not use the same trough, Zed, but we both know where a few of the

bodies are buried.

You and the governor of Missouri buried some bodies, Judge?

Well, that's figuratively speaking, son.

I'm going to have to remind myself to stop using that expression, I guess.

Well, Judge, I can't tell you how much I appreciate what you're doing for Luke

here. His being wanted by the law, that's a mighty big concern to the

family.

Well, I'm sure we can set that concern to rest, Zeb.

By the way, do you know the Eastern newspapers are talking about Zeb McCahan

his Arapaho drovers opening up a new cattle trail?

Well, we got a ways to go before that comes to a fact.

Are you sure you can make it without me, Uncle Zeb?

Luke, you just get that pardon.

Meet me when I bring this herd in.

We're gonna have us a celebration.

Well, I hope your Uncle Zeb hasn't miscalculated what it takes to move

through the North Waste.

I reckon he sees some gambling to it.

Yeah, I guess he does.

Well, we got a three -day ride to Las Mesas. We better get started.

I don't believe it.

I can't wait.

Well, there's somebody's gutting him.

Yeah.

Oh.

The breed with him, huh?

It's more like white baggage to me.

Well, if you're right, she'll bring us a good price down in the valley.

Come on, let's go.

That felt so good.

Ah, Jesse.

Jesse.

Cee -lo Jesse.

That has a nice sound.

Hey, let's go.

Let's get him.

Sheila, what is it?

Now didn't look too old.

I'd hold out for a fancy price for five, maybe $600.

Up in the rig.

Hey,

let's go.

He's got the girl with him.

There he is.

All right.

You take him from the front.

I'll try to get behind him.

backtrack the girl. You make one move, Bucko, you're in happy hunting ground.

Girl!

You gonna come out of there on your own?

Because if you make me come in there after you, I'm gonna drag you out by

hair.

a sign of her?

Nah. She must have hightailed it up into those rocks.

Maybe they got a place they're living and she's headed there.

Well, we can beat out this bucko up above.

He's worth more hard money than me, isn't he?

Las Mesas where you spend most of your time, Judge?

That's centrally located, but there are a lot of favorable pluses, like the

Cattleman's Club here having a nice spacious courtroom for major trial.

Overall, I found that Las Mesas to be a particularly warm and friendly town in

which to headquarter.

Yeah, I can see how it grows on you real fast.

Especially your porthouse.

Yeah, the porthouse.

Hey, hey, watch that lady there.

Well, young man, I hope we make a downed delivery, Sable, before you fall off

that horse.

Yeah, I feel pretty good about meeting up with you, Judge.

I see myself relaxing for a change.

I always got a tight feeling coming into a strange town.

I mean, you know, being wanted by the law.

Well, since the war, Luke, there have been a lot of young men in your

Victims of the time.

But they were still men of strong moral value.

We've got to bind this country of ours together.

We collectively made mistakes.

So collectively, we've got to heal those wounds.

I can see now why my Uncle Zeb said you were one of the smartest men he ever

met.

I understand that.

That's what he said.

Yeah,

thank you there, Chan, or Wong. It's low sin.

Howdy.

Dave Russell, Marshal Los Mises.

Good to meet you, Marshal.

Yeah, Judge said you'd be coming over here to talk to me. Yeah, he'd fill me

on you coming out of this with a clean slate.

I guess you and the judge are longtime friends, huh?

I don't want to seem impolite, Marshal, but you don't generally fool around with

another man's gun.

Luke, one of my duties is to take a gun away from my prisoner.

Prisoner? Well, you turned yourself in for stealing a horse, didn't you?

Uh... Borrowing a horse is closer to the truth.

Well, in any event, you sitting down in my jail wearing a gun, well, it'd make a

peculiar -looking picture now, wouldn't it?

Yeah.

You know, I clean forgot that I was going to have to stay a while in jail.

kind of technicality, according to the judge.

Yeah, kind of.

Hmm.

No notches.

Why should there be notches?

Well, you killed near half a dozen men, didn't you?

It wasn't half a dozen.

And I shot in self -defense.

Well, I'm sure you did.

I don't see how a judge could be recommending an easy time for a boy that

commits himself half a dozen murders.

I'm sure those men deserve what they got.

You, uh, are taken too kindly to me. Oh, why would I not be taken kindly to

you? Hey, call me Dave.

No, I think I better call you Marshall.

There's some truth to that, though.

You're not taken kindly to me?

You and me ain't even met before.

Why would I not be taken to you?

All I know about you is that record the judge has me write in my arrest book.

The killings, the horse... I mean, borrowing a horse. Excuse my selecting

wrong word.

Putting a bullet in the arm of Sheriff Martin Stillman.

Crippling a lawman.

But that was an accident.

Well, more or less.

Wasn't it?

No, Marshal, it was no accident.

Well, boy, I'll be waiting at the jail for you to turn yourself in.

Somebody said Judge Renson lives up here. Yeah, right over there.

Oh, thanks.

Hey, the judge headed out of town about an hour ago.

What did he say where he was going?

He's filling in for Judge Cogan.

He'll be out of town a while.

I meant to tell you that.

Just slipped my mind, I guess.

How long before he's back in town?

Well, two weeks or so.

He said to tell you not to worry while he's gone.

Not to worry?

What are these for?

It's for you, boy.

Make sure this time you don't go wandering around town.

I did mention you come into the jail.

I just wanted to have a word or two with the judge, is all.

Well, that might be for a while, boy.

What's he done, Marshal?

Oh, look here.

Well, not much, Will.

This boy's just handy with a gun, and he proves it on occasion.

Let's get.

How long do you know Sheriff Stillman?

I didn't know him. Why?

The way you talked about me crippling him, like he didn't sit with you.

You're dead right there. Don't sit with me.

Nope. I never had the pleasure of knowing Martin Stillman.

I was a lawman.

I was shot while wearing a badge.

You might say that. Don't sit with me.

You know, boy, it'd be a good idea.

If you behave yourself while you're in my custody.

Sheriff Stillman.

I guess you heard.

With that crippled arm you gave him, he's no longer a sheriff.

Look, Marshal.

It was an ugly thing, all of it.

And I try real hard not to think about it.

Well, he thinks about you, from what I hear.

You know he's a wealthy man now, in the feed and grain business.

But that money don't mean nothing to him.

All he thinks about is some wet -eared kid. They got him walking around with an

arm full of pain.

Now, that was his doing.

You see, son, I'm carrying two slugs in my back from a boy that's even younger

than you.

And whenever the weather gets damp, they hurt like hellfire.

So I kind of know how Stillman feels.

It's going to be a real surprise to find something down in Las Mesas of interest

to him.

You know, somebody's going to be thinking about your future maybe as much

are.

I'll get you some dinner now.

arguing that side of it. All I'm saying is a hundred dollars in gold for livin'

the hoof engine is worth the extra effort.

Scalp can't be worth more than twenty -five.

Yeah, I know that.

But I'd almost give up that live money just for the pleasure of peelin' his

scalp right here. If you weren't worth a hundred in gold live instead of dead,

I'd bury you up to your nose in an anthill. Oh, leave it be, Casey.

That gal stays afoot.

We won't be straying too far away from that water.

Anyway, we might pick up a sign of her in the morning.

I'll take all night.

Hit the deck, you cow nurses.

All right.

Half a day's gone and we ain't made a penny.

Roll out, it's getting cold.

Come on, boys, hurry up.

Mr. McCann, can I ask you a favor?

Sure, Jeffrey, what is it?

Well, I'd sort of like to get out of cooking chores sometime and learn how to

a drover.

Well, I don't know about that, son. But I've been watching how everybody works

around here.

and do the job.

But you're already doing the job. You're helping tap with the chuck wagon.

I don't know if he could get along without you.

Mr. McCahan, I do Jeffrey favor.

I cook.

Jeffrey learned drove.

I never asked no engine for a favor.

Now, Jeffrey, you know, you've got a few things to learn, and I don't mean just

about drove and neither.

Now, if Otterbell there wants to help you out... I think that's pretty nice of

him. But you got some apologizing to do first.

Better think about that.

Jeffrey, it all right.

You drove her sometime.

I helped cook sometime.

It no favor.

I hope we can get far enough away.

When they find out we're gone, oh, they've got horses.

Yes, he did need them, Jesse.

He loved them.

I guess you're thanking me for cutting you loose.

But I owed it to you.

You forgot to take your pony with you, bucko.

Did ya, did ya?

If you're sorry, it ain't gonna hurt you none. Let's

get him!

I have to beat the ladies over the stick tonight, Ed.

I wish that were so, Dave.

Say, you got anything for me before I set my presses?

Well, we'll keep no lady hating her out again over their Eastport offenses.

She's threatening to put them away with a shotgun. And just maybe this time,

she'll make good on it. Oh, now, that old bitty, she's chewed my ear for the

last time. She's just looking for publicity.

You got anything else?

Well, Adams may be putting another stage line, but you've heard about that.

Yeah. Oh, yeah, Judge Renson came in.

Doc, it's pretty much routine.

Well, routine except for the killer kid that came in with him.

Forget I used that expression, Ed. The judge has a personal interest in this

fella, and there's no sense in me getting on the hind side of Renson.

Just a minute, Dave. You said killer kid.

Do me a favor, Ed.

It's going to be a quiet extradition hearing and the kid goes free.

The judge is not going to look too kindly on anybody rocking this boat.

Look, I don't give a tinker's damn about rocking the judge's boat.

Are you saying, Dave, that he's using his robe to pull a fast one?

God, Ed, have mercy.

Look, Ed.

I don't want to get caught in the middle of this.

Look, I won't take out no advertisement that you've been talking to me.

All right, a little trade and all.

I'll give you the whole inside story.

You tell Judge Renson, if he asks, maybe he won't.

But you got it from somebody else.

You got yourself a trade.

Good afternoon, Mr. McCain.

I'm Ed Walters. I edit the Las Mesa Chronicle.

Marshal Russell says it's entirely up to you whether you grant me an interview

giving your side of the story.

Now, do you have any objection to talking to a newspaper man?

Uh, I don't know. Well, you don't have to talk, you know. In fact, if you've

anything to hide, something that's best left unsaid.

Perhaps you'd like to speak to a lawyer before making any public statement.

Well, it's not a question of me hiding anything.

I guess I just never talked to a newspaper man before.

I expect to see someone with two heads, I bet.

Say, Luke, did you mind if I call you Luke?

No, fine with me.

Of course, this will all be a matter of public record at your extradition

hearing. So, again, if you've got any reservations about seeing past actions

print, we'll forego the interview.

Nothing I ever did I'm ashamed of. Well, I'll see that those words are

emphasized.

Now, getting back to the first man you ever killed, I understand that there was

a lady involved.

How'd you learn about that?

Oh, you are saying there was a lady involved.

I guess, in a way.

See, I had to shoot.

There was no time to... There was no time to think.

No time to think.

Tell me, would you say that handling a gun becomes instinctive?

Instinct. You know, a reflex action. You draw on fire when confronted by an

adversary without consciously evaluating the situation.

I'm not sure that's a question that applies to me.

It doesn't apply to you.

Mr. McCain, Luke, I can't help asking you a very candid question.

Do you honestly feel that you are entitled to your freedom?

Mr. McCain!

Want a paper?

I have to.

I'm up half the night again.

I'm glad the doctor might forgive me.

Sugar pills are all the good they've been doing.

I'll speak to him today about changing your prescription.

Martin, I think a three -weeks holiday, perhaps down to the

Gulf, might do you some good.

That's out of the question.

Until we get that Jeffers deal snugged in, then there's nobody down at that

office that's capable.

There's something in here about Luke McCann, and I want you to finish it up.

Please, would you forget what this boy did to you?

For your sake, forget him.

Doubt of his guilt.

Word from a judge's mouth.

Martin, you've got to.

Territory of New Mexico.

You're not traveling bags packed.

Now, let me finish, Martin.

You have got to put this out of your mind.

You've got to leave all that ugliness behind you.

Martin, what is the point?

Of torturing yourself like this.

I don't have to be especially torturing myself.

Having this with me every waking hour.

Put the arm behind me.

Leave it. It's chained to me, woman.

Not even hearing my testimony, they're saying he's not guilty.

Just who did Luke McCann get to in that territory in New Mexico?

What kind of back rubbing's being done down that way?

Let's get me back.

mexico you see me being kept from that so -called extradition you're dreaming

woman you can't send down a deposition i'm gonna face that lion mouth killer

i'm gonna squeeze those lies back in his teeth and find out just who's seeing to

that yankee boy set free to walk the streets not even thinking about the

he's spilled i'll wait for you to see the consuming hatred what it's doing for

your life

I'll shoot McKee and put a bullet in his arm.

Your life stopped, Martin.

A lot of men would say your life truly started with that bullet.

You know, from wearing a sheriff's badge and walking a dusty street in a small

town, you've become a very influential businessman in this city.

Where the hell he pulled it off?

I know it's in the wind.

a judge recommended against extradition.

Now Luke McKeon's got himself a safe place he can spend the rest of his life.

If that is what's going to happen, there's nothing you can do about it.

Not much I can do.

I can make you a promise.

If Luke McKeon is freed, I'd dedicate myself.

To making him regret he ever left that jail cell.

No longer protected by those bars.

I dedicate my life to seeing that every moment of Luke McCahan's remaining

years are going to be made as miserable as he's made mine.

So help me, oh, Maddox.

Because you're not on there.

I guess you're saying goodbye.

Pilo?

I'm only alive because of you.

Mr. Peevely, I want you to know that the McKay and family

and myself are deeply indebted to you.

That's all right, Miss Cohane.

I generally find myself giving the better of bargain.

The better of... Oh, I suppose you mean the money.

Let's do you for your services.

Yeah, that's right.

Money do me for my services.

White Eagle?

Who calls Zeb McCahan that?

Tribes from Mountain.

You know, somehow or other, I got the feeling lately that you bucks never

thought that much of old Zeb.

Many say we can no get cattle through desert.

I thought something was going on back there.

The cattle are after.

Get them out of here before we lose some more.

Get out of here.

Hold

your

fire. Got you, dogs.

We go. We kill.

Never mind about that. Just round up the herd and get them headed back right

now. I'll wrap a wound at the fridge and face a bunch of you.

Now hold on here. Losing half a dozen head of cattle is a cheap price to pay

getting across Apache land.

Get back to her. Get them rounded up.

it ain't worth mentioning.

If I recollect, that makes it even.

So, man.

Looks like you got a mite lucky.

Did your head hurt?

Good. I hope it keeps hurting until you get some common sense into it.

Good morning, Missy.

How are the McCain ladies after a little sojourn in the desert?

We're fine, Mr. Peasley. And we're very grateful for the help you gave us.

Well, you know, your Aunt Molly hired me on, so I figured I was just

accomplishing what I got paid to do.

Hey, you know, if that material there is for making of a skirt, I'd kind of lean

toward the red.

I mean, I earned a healthy man alive. I don't appreciate seeing a woman's body

kind of move around under a red skirt.

Your grandmother said if I came around town today, she'd see about me getting

paid. Well, she's at the bank now getting the money for you.

I'll just run over there and have me a little something to kind of wash the

down before I go over there.

Yeah, a red skirt's a sure way to stir a man up, you know.

Gals ought to remember that.

from up in the South. We have interest in the McCann family.

What's in it, Cory?

That's your brother Luke and Dale. They sure got a long list of things he'd done

there, like killing and such.

Can I keep this paper, Cory?

Yeah, sure can.

Thanks a lot.

Let me check on the more recent entries, Mrs. Colhane.

Molly,

you'd better take a look at this.

Luke's not with Uncle Deb anymore. He's in jail.

What? In jail?

Just read all the things they're saying about Luke.

Talking about the people he shot, like Luke practically... Shh.

Like Luke practically shot him for no reason.

Well, Josh, I think it sounds worse than it really is. Look, Judge Renson, who

will preside over the hearing, stated to this newspaper his preliminary findings

lead to considerable doubt Luke McCann would be a judge guilty in any impartial

trial. But, Aunt Molly, I still don't like the idea of Luke being in jail.

I think maybe I should head on down to New Mexico.

Make sure Luke doesn't need any help.

Well, Josh, that's a very long trip for a boy to take.

Boy is just an expression, dear.

But it still is a very long trip, Josh. That's just it, Aunt Molly.

I mean, it's such a long way off. And if Luke's in trouble, we'll never be able

to help him until it's too late.

He might even need a lawyer.

Now, that's a thought.

Luke might need a lawyer.

Yes,

perhaps you should take that trip, Josh.

Yes, by all means.

Yeah.

Yeah, see if I can't borrow myself a good saddle horse.

Head out first thing tomorrow morning.

Youngster appears to be real pleased about something, Molly.

Yes, Mr. Peasley, he's going to make a trip to see his brother Luke down in New

Mexico. Oh?

Oh, yeah. I think I heard something about the black sheep of the McCann

being in jail down there.

Mr. Peasley, please.

Luke is not the black sheep of the McCann family.

No.

I believe I requested more than once that you address me as Mrs. Culhane.

My trouble is pretty lady.

When I see a female that I'm keenly fond of, it's second nature with me to

address her by her first name. But I guess I can call you pretty lady if that

would be more pleasing. I'm sorry for the delay, Mrs. Culhane.

Oh, not at all, Mr.

Cosgrove.

In addition to the $1 ,000, which, incidentally, I am paying to this

I will need... I

will need an extra $200 in cash.

My nephew, Josh, has an urgent trip to make.

Mrs. Culhane, that personal draft you deposited with us, the transfer of the

funds from Chicago, well, I'm afraid there'll be some delay before we can

that to your account here.

Why?

It's over a week since I telegraphed that money to your bank.

Oh, I'm certain there's no cause for alarm, Mrs. Culhane.

We've been having transit delays these days. All too common, I'm sorry to say.

You can be sure Chicago will confirm by the end of this week.

If this gentleman could wait a few days.

You can pay me the end of the week.

Well, of course, I will need the 200 in cash to see Josh on his way.

I'm delighted I can finally be of service, ma 'am.

I must say, Mr. Peasley, you're being very gracious about this delay.

Well, I imagine you're anxious to leave Elk Creek as soon as possible.

Sometimes delays should be used to advantage, Molly.

You really mind me calling you Molly?

I suppose I'll have to concede that point.

Speaking of conceding, I imagine a good -looking widow like yourself must need a

relaxing time or two.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by a relaxed time or two, Mr. Peasley.

Now, don't bother to explain.

I guess I'd better get myself a little barbershop.

I'm not much for bragging, Molly, but I ain't a bad -looking man when I get out

of a barber chair.

I commend your modesty, Mr. Beasley.

Oh, are you staying at the hotel?

Room number's 14.

Mr. Beasley, I don't need your room number.

I just need to know how to locate you for when that money arrives.

Don't worry, Molly. I plan on staying pretty close.

20, 40, 60, 80, 100.

I borrowed the saddle gun from Mr. Sebring.

Josh, are you sure you're in need of a gun?

I have to shoot game B, don't I?

Josh, isn't there any way that you can take the stage down there?

No. No stage goes directly to Las Mezas. I'd have to travel all over the

territories just to get there.

Oh, Josh.

I think I've never been away from home before.

You haven't.

Be careful on the trail, dear. I will.

I'll be sure and write you from Las Mesas, Aunt Molly. Do.

And give Luke our love.

I'll do that, Aunt Molly.

Well, everybody take care.

We will.

Yeah.

Such long faces.

You know, I think that chicken stew that's simmering on the stove could do

some onions. Does anybody know where there's a wild onion patch? I do.

Down by the creek.

Well, let's go and get some. I'll get my hat.

Onions!

No,

I don't believe that at all.

I don't think your Uncle Zeb would even start... Not such a venture.

If he didn't think it had a reasonable chance of succeeding.

But they say even the rivers down that way can't be crossed.

They're either full of rapids or quicksand.

You worry too much, Jessie.

Uncle Seb knows more about the wilderness than... Sam?

Than anybody.

I'm more worried about Luke and Josh.

Funny.

Laura, what are you looking for?

Tiny bits of metal in the roots.

See?

I'm almost afraid to think what this might be.

Aunt Molly, this looks like gold.

Gold?

Very well be.

That was some good cooking, Gene.

Tracking ladies ain't never been a chore.

Somebody's coming.

That man, Peeveley.

I'm worried about Bobby Sauer.

Thought somebody would find the water cold, all that screaming and yelling I

hearing.

Why, Mr.

Peasley, what on earth are you doing here?

Well, I was by the freight depot when some freight and stuff came in for Molly

Colleen.

Oh, yes, they must be my things from Chicago. I've been expecting them. Sure,

thought I'd do the neighborly thing and save you the trouble of toting them out

from town.

Oh, well, thank you.

Taking wild onions, eh?

I got it.

Come here, I want it for you.

One for me.

I thought maybe somebody was telling a funny story, all that laughing I was

hearing up there.

Oh, no, nothing very funny.

Female humor, you know how it is, Mr. Peasley.

Well, girls, I think we've picked enough for today, and there are some chores

that need to be done at the house, so come along now.

I'll give you a hand.

Oh, it's quite all right. Don't bother, Mr. Peasley.

No problem.

Oh, once more.

You know, all those heavy furnishings and stuff, Molly, how are you going to

break those crates open all by yourself?

I'm sure I can manage. Thank you.

I'll give you a hand. We'll get everything unpacked, squared away as

eat, all right?

My nose kind of told me there's chicken stew on the stove when I come in.

The beach hall cooking, it just ain't been invented yet.

There's got to be a woman's touch in food, and I don't care what them big

chefs say.

Well, what do they say, Mr. Peasley?

Well... Well,

I heard one of them put it one time. A lot of things a woman does better than

cooking.

You know what I mean.

Mr. Peasley.

Boy, I disputed him right off, Molly, I did.

I'm going to miss you not putting the onions in, though.

I'm not faulting you.

Well,

my recipe calls for simmering the onions overnight. We just didn't have time to

do that.

Aunt Molly, I'm finished now, so I think I'll just go wash and clean the onions

now so we can stew them tonight.

Thank you, dear.

Why don't you tell us about your scouting days? I mean, did you ever

Michael there?

No. Didn't exactly travel then.

Kind of met up. We had our differences.

We let bygones be now.

It was over a trap line in the Rockies.