Original subtitles

Well, looks like we finally shook the little boys in blue.

How do you like that governor calling out the cavalry to interfere in a private war?

That's his privelige.

All I know is, though, I'm glad to be out of Johnson County.

You know, I got the feelin' those folks didn't like us very much.

They did act sorta mean, didn't they?

- Let's get outta here. - Yeah.

Guess this is where we split the blankets, Johnny.

There's the trail to Billings.

Sure you don't wanna come along?

No, I think I'll slope along up into the Marias River country.

- What's up there? - Sheep.

Sounds like trouble.

Well, that's the way you make a living, isn't it?

Wouldn't know. I'm the peace lovin' type.

Say, what about that job in Billings?

Man didn't say. I...

expect he wants me to help him with the hayin'.

Uh-huh, well, that's good, healthy work.

You gotta be careful of sunstroke, though.

Did you ever think of settlin' down in one place, Johnny?

Yeah, I did settle down once.

What happened?

They forgot to lock the cell one night.

No, I'm serious.

You better stop thinkin' about that ranch, kid.

You'll never make it.

Why not?

You've been hirin' out that gun too long.

I can forget all that.

Well, maybe you can, but there's a lot of people that can't.

Well, I'll be seein' you, Reb.

So long, Johnny.

Lose your horse?

No.

Just got a little tired. Let him rest.

Go back later and carry him in.

Same thing happened to me last week.

Hit a stretch of gumbo mud, and my team played out on me.

You may not believe it,

but I had to push them four horses inside

and pull the stage myself.

I believe you.

Well, you're one of the few people I ever met who did.

- This the stage for Billings? - Yeah.

Well, that's exactly where I'm goin'.

Get in back. I'm overdue now.

Sorry, miss.

I hope you're not hurt.

If you'll get off my lap, I'll let you know.

I kinda like it here.

Well, I don't.

I didn't get your name.

Didn't give it to you.

Ran into a little trouble this morning...

Say, haven't I seen you someplace before?

I've been a lot of places.

Now, just give me time. I'll remember.

I never forget a face.

- Ran into a little trouble this morning... - I know, you're...

No, no.

That's not it.

I ran into a little...

Ran into a little trouble this morning.

I had to leave my horse back up the trail.

If I close my eyes and yake a deep breath,

I'd say you still had him with you.

Now, what's the matter? Don't you like horses?

- I don't like... - I've got it!

You're Reb Kittredge!

I remember now.

I saw your picture in the Cheyenne paper

when you hired out to the ranchers in the Johnson County War.

You know, I knew a man once that got himself into a lot of trouble

because he remembered things too good.

I-I'm sorry, stranger.

I didn't mean any offense.

You know, on second thought I...

I must've been thinking about somebody else.

Hi, Luke!

I saw your...

Thanks. Like somebody threw a scare into him.

You didn't have no trouble, did you, Charlie?

Nope.

Probably your driving that spooked him.

Enough to scare anybody. Throw me down that luggage.

Thanks, mister.

What do you want done with these bags, Miss Saxon?

I'd be glad to help with 'em.

You don't learn very fast, do you?

Just learned what your name is.

Send 'em up to the hotel, will you, Cal?

Sure.

Nice girl.

She don't seem to like you very much.

She hasn't known me very long.

I grow on people.

How soon do you think we can deliver those cattle, Curly?

Two weeks to bunch 'em,

another week to make the drive.

When does your note to Telford come due?

Thirty days.

That gives us enough time, providin'...

Go ahead and say it: providing I live that long.

You know Telford.

Yeah, I know him.

If it was me, I'd lay for him in a dark alley some night.

I don't operate that way, Curly.

If anything should happen to me, though...

Come in.

Hello, Curly.

- Kitten. - Hi, Dad.

We didn't expect you back till tomorrow.

There wasn't much object in staying.

Sheridan Bank won't make a loan, Dad.

I didn't think they would.

Is this a closed game, or can anyone sit in?

One seat's open.

I missed you, honey.

I missed you too, but I'll tell you about it later.

Phew, I'm beat to death.

Can we go on out to the ranch tonight, Dad?

Seems to me you've done enough travelin' for one day.

Got a special reason for it.

What is it?

Red Kittredge is in town.

I rode in on the stage with him.

I see.

Begins to look like a showdown, doesn't it?

That's what you've got to stay away from, Dad.

That's the reason we have to leave.

I'm gettin' a little too old to start runnin'.

But you've gotta listen to me, Dad. He's a gunman!

You know he was brought here to kill you.

Please, Dad!

Don't do it, for my sake.

There's just one thing on earth I wouldn't do for you, Kitten.

This is it.

I built up that ranch with my own two hands.

You were born there.

Your mother died there.

I fought Indians and snowstorms

and dry years and floods to make it what it is.

And I'm not gonna give it up just because

some two-bit gunslinger happens to come to town.

Curly, stop him!

Stay out of it, Curly.

It's not your fight.

That's the fella I was telling you about.

That's Reb Kittredge.

Somethin' I can do for you?

Do you ever reload any ammunition?

Oh, that depends on the caliber. I got a few molds.

Buffalo gun.

You don't see many of these around anymore.

You hear one once in a while.

Matter of fact, there's only one man around here

that owns one, that I know of.

- Who's he? - Curly Mather.

- Curly Mather... - Foreman for Dan Saxon.

He wouldn't happen to have a daughter, would he?

Curly? No, he ain't even married.

I'm talking about Saxon.

Oh, sure, he got a daughter, Rita.

Gonna marry Curly.

That's interesting.

Uh, you and Curly oughta get together.

Seems you got somethin' in common.

Yeah.

I'm lookin' forward to meetin' him.

H-Hey!

You don't want me to reload only one cartridge, do you?

No, I was just lookin' for information, pop.

Well, what you want to know?

I already found out.

Kittredge!

I'm Dan Saxon,

the man you were brought here to kill.

So?

Might as well be here and now.

You're a fool.

I got no fight with you.

At least not yet.

There's a stage leaving town in an hour or so.

Be on it.

I just got here.

You heard what I said.

We don't like hired gunmen in this town.

Be on that stage.

If I'm not?

Then make your play now.

That's up to you, mister.

Wanna try again?

I'm convinced.

Dad!

Dad!

I'm all right, kitten.

You're a real brave man with that gun in your hand!

Curly.

He could've killed you.

Yeah.

I'm still tryin' to figure out why he didn't.

Kittredge!

You're a little spooked, aren't you, friend?

Two men tried to lift my scalp today already.

You might be the third.

That's out of my line.

What you want?

Telford sent me. He wants to see you.

- He'll see me. - Right now.

You won't have any trouble finding me. I'll be here.

Place a man can bed down for the night?

I t-tell you, Mr. Kittredge,

there's a real nice hotel just down the street.

Probably you'd like it better there.

Why?

We'll, we've uh... We've got mice.

I won't bother them.

Yes, sir.

Oh...

Room 20, Room 16.

Uh, upstairs.

I can just see it now.

Blood all over my nice clean floors.

How's it feel?

Very good.

Now, let that be a lesson to you.

You're gettin' too old to go up against a killer.

He's no killer, Doc.

Well, if he isn't, he's been takin' money under false pretenses

all the way from Texas to the Canadian line.

Then why didn't he kill me this afternoon?

Maybe he can't shoot straight.

He'd still do to ride to the bridge with.

You sound as though you like him.

Why not?

Well, if somebody was out to shoot me,

I think I could work up a reasonable dislike.

Aw, he's just doin' his job.

You can't hate a man for that.

Under the circumstances, I could try real hard.

You got somethin' on your mind, Dan. What is it?

I used to run with a wild bunch, Doc.

25 years ago I was just like Kittredge.

If someone hadn't given me a hand up,

I'd probably be in Boot Hill now.

He's a little rough-shod,

but he's not bad.

Just doesn't know where he's goin'.

So you're gonna show him?

Could be.

You should've had a son, Dan, instead of a daughter.

I'm not complaining.

I'll cut you for the bill, Doc. Double or nothin'.

You've been doin' that for 10 years.

I've never collected a dime yet.

Well, you don't think I cheat, do you, Doc?

Let's just say I never caught you at it.

Shuffle.

Come in.

Well, you're in the wrong room, aren't you?

You can put the gun away. I'm not dangerous.

You could be.

You got the right equipment for it.

How about the gun?

Oh.

I sort of feel undressed without it.

You sort of look undressed, even with it.

I hadn't expected company.

Aren't you going to ask me why I came?

No, I figure you'll get around to telling me in time.

I'm in no hurry.

How'd you ever get mixed up in the business of being a hired gunman?

Well, I...

...sorta got a talent for it.

A man must have a good reason for hiring out to murder.

I haven't murdered anybody yet.

That's what it finally comes down to, doesn't it?

Look, if you're trying to reform me, you're wasting your time.

What does a man like you want out of life anyway?

Oh, I want a spread of my own someday.

No different from anybody else.

I'm workin' for it only way I know how.

That's what my dad wanted too.

Only he got it the hard way.

Now you're helping Telford take it away from him.

A chance he's gotta take.

Wasn't me, it'd be somebody else.

You could've killed him a while ago. Why didn't you?

I got nothin' against him.

Then why'd you take this job?

I haven't taken it yet.

That's not what Telford's been saying.

Telford seems to take a lot of things for granted.

Then you're gonna turn it down?

No.

Suppose I made you a better offer.

- What? - A job on the ranch.

$40 a month and found?

10 hours a day in the saddle? Chuckwagon grub?

Cold blankets?

Mm, that's part of it.

What's the rest?

Seems to me you're in a position to ask whatever you want.

I might be, at that.

I'd, uh...

try to see to it that your work would be very pleasant.

If you really meant that, it could be we'd make some kind of a deal.

Way it is, though, I figure no matter what happens,

I'll come out on the losing end of the deal.

I'm no welsher.

Ah, don't you dare!

You put me down, you hear!?!

Look, Miss. Saxon,

in my way I'm honest,

and that's more than I can say about you.

Now hit the trail!

Someday I hope to see you when you can't use that right arm of yours,

Mr. Kittredge.

- What'll it be? - Whiskey.

You wanna drink it or throw it at somebody?

What I really wanted it for was to kindle a fire.

We got that kind too.

They say a man'll take two drinks of that stuff,

go out and hunt bear with a willow switch.

What do you want the switch for?

You traveling under a new name these days,

or aren't you speaking to your old friends?

In this business, you don't know who your friends are from one day to the next.

Maybe you better change your business.

I've given it some thought.

Buy you a drink, Cora.

I'll buy you one... upstairs.

Sure.

You homesteadin' this place, or is your title clear?

I'm still workin' on it.

Say when.

Just pour till your fingers get wet.

Last time I saw you was down in Denver.

- Why did you leave? - Why did you?

Had a reason.

You had twelve reasons.

Each one of them had a gun in his hand.

I understand you got run out of Wyoming, too.

Yeah.

Well, you got a pretty good record.

Texas, Arizona, New Mexico,

Colorado, now Wyoming.

- I'm young yet. - You're running out of states, too.

I understand there's lots of room left in Canada.

Luck.

Something I can always use.

Do you ever see Johnny Lake?

Not since a couple of days ago.

Well, he isn't in town, is he?

He went on up north,

but you can reach him through general delivery in Big Sandy.

He's still in love with you, Cora.

He always was second choice with me.

But I didn't ask you up here to talk about Johnny.

I have a proposition for you, Reb.

How would you like to own this saloon?

- Thought Telford owned it. - He does.

He also owns all the ranches in the basin except one.

I don't see how you cut in on that.

Well, I could marry him if I tried real hard.

What happens then?

I thought you could figure that out for yourself.

I thought I was tough.

But compared to you, I'm a piker.

I told you.

I take what I want any way I can get it.

Come in.

Oh, it's you, Matt.

Have you met Reb Kittredge?

This is Matt Telford.

Haven't had the pleasure.

A little whiskey, Cora.

I'm not a patient man, Mr. Kittredge.

I sent word that I wanted to see you several hours ago.

I don't like to be kept waiting.

That makes us even.

I don't like to take orders.

I, uh, witnessed your little altercation this afternoon.

So did everyone else.

Seemed I was the only one in town that didn't know it was gonna happen.

Oh, I went to a great deal of trouble to publicize your comin'.

You see, I anticipated Mr. Saxon's reaction.

Too bad you passed up the opportunity to kill him legitimately.

He drew first.

Maybe you should've let me know what was going on.

- You got my letter. - Didn't tell very much.

There are some things, Mr. Kittredge, that are better said than written.

It's quite a simple matter.

Mr. Saxon owns a ranch.

I want it.

Why don't you buy it?

That's a good question.

He won't sell.

What do you hope to gain by killing him?

I happen to hold a note of Mr. Saxon's,

payable in 30 days.

Now, it's impossible for him to get his cattle to an Eastern market in that time.

Then what are you worried about?

Well, unfortunately he's obtained a contract

to supply beef to a railroad construction crew.

I want to make sure that beef is not delivered.

You don't have to shoot him to do that.

Of course not.

I just thought it might simplify matters.

Sorry to disappoint you.

That's all right, Mr. Kittredge.

I'm sure you'll find some other way of stopping delivery.

How?

I'll leave the details up to you.

You were highly recommended to me as a specialist in your line.

Is that so? Who recommended me?

An old friend of yours.

Cora Dufrayne.

Thanks for thinkin' of me.

That's all right.

Always glad to do a favor for an old friend.

How much is it worth to you?

$500 now,

$1500 more when the job is done.

That's not enough.

Oh, I consider it extremely generous.

However, I will listen to a counter offer.

I do all the work and you wind up with the ranch.

Maybe we oughta be partners on the deal.

What's your idea of a partnership?

I'll settle for a third.

Uh-uh.

I'm in no hurry.

Think it over.

Your friend is a difficult man to deal with.

I told you he'd come high.

A little higher than I'd figured.

Why don't you pay him off?

Two-thirds are better than nothing.

You don't understand men like Kittredge.

If I allowed him a third interest now,

later he'd want it all.

Well, what do you do now?

Oh, I'll let him think about it overnight, and, uh...

make him a better offer.

Kittredge.

You lookin' for trouble, or is this the only saloon in town?

Oh, I'm safe here.

Telford wouldn't want anything to happen to me in his own place.

- Would you, Matt? - Well, this is my place of business,

I like to run it orderly.

That's the reason he sent for you, son.

You're jumping at shadows, Dan.

Am I?

Can I buy you a drink, Mr. Kittredge?

Sure.

This is Curly Mather, my foreman.

- Doc Farrel. - Howdy.

What'd you say the name was?

Curly Mather.

That's what I thought you said.

Got a little proposition for you.

Your daughter already made me one.

Offhand, I'd say she's got more to offer than you have.

Sit down, Curly.

I know about my daughter's visit to you.

Maybe you'd think my offer was a little better.

Never knew a man to lose any money listenin'.

Rita says you're interested in owning a ranch.

I might've mentioned it.

How does the Square-S sound?

From what I can gather, it sounds good to a lot of people.

I'm a gambler, son.

Cut the cards with you.

High card, you win the Square-S.

Complete with mortgage?

That's the one part I'd be glad to get rid of.

It doesn't sound like much of a bargain to me.

What's wrong with it?

All you have to do is deliver your cattle.

What if I lose?

Then you go to work for me.

$40 a month and found.

For how long?

As long as I think I need you.

Just a minute, Mr. Kittredge.

It was my understanding that you're working for me.

It's my understanding you won't pay my price.

- Go ahead. - You're a fool, son.

He hasn't lost a cut in 20 years.

He oughta be just about due.

You cut them, Matt.

Just to keep everything honest.

- You think he's honest? - Not honest.

But awkward.

You first.

Looks like the kid's gonna work for Saxon.

Looks like you're in the ranchin' business.

Be trailin' my cattle to market in a few days.

and I'd be awfully mad if anybody tried to stop me.

Next time you try to bushwhack somebody,

pick up your empties.

And another thing:

leave your horse outside for me.

You owe me one.

I came in late, but it sounded to me like somebody just outbid you.

I underestimated Mr. Kittredge.

Well, aren't you going to do anything about it?

A man learns to accept defeat.

You give up awful easy, don't you?

Saxon was one thing. Kittredge is another.

He has a well-established reputation for violence.

He worked hard for it.

I know someone who isn't afraid of him.

What a wide range of acquaintances you have.

I always say it pays to know the right people.

How long would it take your, uh, friend to get here?

About 5 or 6 days.

- Send for him. - All right.

Only this time,

don't try to buy him cheap.

It's not a bad lookin' horse you have there, Curly.

Take him down to the corral for me.

I'm not workin' for you.

If you're not workin' for me, get off my land.

You're pretty tough with that gun strapped around your waist.

I wonder how tough you'd be without it.

You ain't never gonna find out, Curly,

'cause I ain't never gonna take it off.

Oh, hello, son.

Sit down.

Just gettin' rid of a little dead wood.

You know, sometimes I think it's a mistake to learn to read and write.

You wouldn't have to go through all this.

Here's the deed to the ranch.

You can have it recorded next time you get to town.

And, uh,

here's a copy of Telford's mortgage.

Well, I guess that takes care of all the paperwork.

Anything else you wanna know?

Yeah. Where's the beef?

Back in the hills.

Did you have a spring roundup?

After the winter we had, we didn't need one.

Country's a curly wolf, boy.

Winter killed the calf crop and most of the beef steers, too.

That's how Telford got possession of most of these ranches.

If it wasn't for that railroad contract, he'd have this one too.

Then what stock you've got left could be scattered from here to Canada.

They are.

Telford's note is due in 4 weeks.

That's no news to me.

If they drifted into rough country, it'd take that long to round 'em up.

That's your problem, son.

Looks like I came out on the short end of the deal after all.

Anytime you start likin' the other side to bet, let me know.

I'll take the land back.

Thanks.

I think I'll play it this way one time around.

Did you ever do any ranchin' before?

I can make a hand but never tried ramrodding a spread like this.

You'll need help.

I didn't figure I could do it alone.

If it's all right with your crew, I'd like to keep them on.

They know this country.

How about Curly?

What about him?

Well, he can handle men and he knows cattle.

Except I didn't think that you two were friends.

As long as he can't shoot any better than he can, I...

don't mind havin' him for an enemy.

Now, that's one thing I wanna get straight, son.

I didn't know he was gonna try and dry-gulch you.

That's somethin' he thought up on his own.

He's got a real lively imagination.

Well, look at it from his angle.

He figured he'd own the ranch someday.

He's gonna marry Rita.

Thought I'd give him some trouble there too.

You got any plans when you leave here?

When you get to be my age, you don't make plans anymore.

You just play 'em the way they're dealt to you.

That bein' the case, maybe we can make a deal.

I'm listenin'.

I need all the help I can get.

It stands to reason you know more about this spread than anyone else.

You offerin' me a job?

Why not? You offered me one.

I'll think about it.

Take your time.

I don't intend to start work till tomorrow.

Mind showin' me around the place?

Be a pleasure, son.

Might be the last chance I have to see it.

What's that?

That's your cook, the professor.

I'll take your word for it.

Those are your hands.

I suppose Mr. Saxon told you the setup.

I'm the new owner. Name's Kittredge.

Yeah, we know.

S'pose you men wanna know where you stand.

Well, I intend to run this place like Mr. Saxon did when he owned it.

Job's here for you if you wanna stay.

None of us are stayin'.

We just wanna collect the wages we got comin'.

All right.

Better pay 'em off.

Seems to me that's your responsibility.

You own the ranch.

Besides, I'm broke.

You didn't tell me you couldn't meet payroll.

You never asked me.

Well...

Looks like I'm learning more about the ranching business every day.

While you're learnin',

what about our money?

You can do one of two things, Curly:

sack your saddle and head for town right now,

or you can stick around and take a chance on gettin' it.

We don't work on jawbone.

Looks like jawbone's all this spread's got left.

Gotta get that beef to market.

You men help me and I'll pay you double what you got comin'.

What guarantee have we got that we'll get it?

- My word. - Well, that ain't enough.

What's wrong with his word?

I'm takin' it.

You mean you're gonna work for him?

Well, we gotta eat, don't we?

I'd rather go hungry.

I've tried that too. I wouldn't recommend it.

You playin' this straight, Dan,

or just tryin' to copper your bet?

No, it's straight.

I've owned this piece of grass for 25 years.

I lost it on the square.

There isn't anything I wouldn't do outside of murder

to keep Telford from getting it.

What do you say, boys?

I reckon if it's good enough for you, Dan,

it's good enough for me.

Yeah.

It's all right with me.

Thanks, boys.

We'll start the roundup tomorrow.

Curly?

I'll go along with you, Dan.

You wanted to see the ranch.

- Who is it? - It's me, Johnny.

Just a minute.

Can I come in?

If you don't, we're gonna have a long-range conversation

'cause I'm not comin' out.

Hey, Milt, bring me up a pot of coffee!

Aren't you glad to see me?

I'm not glad to see anybody at this hour in the morning.

Make yourself comfortable.

I'll comb my hair. I must look a fright.

You look all right to me.

You've been up in those hills too long.

I could sure use some of that coffee.

Come and get it.

How're you gettin' along with Kittredge?

I can take him or leave him alone.

If given a choice, I'd leave him alone.

You didn't have to work for him.

You know why I did.

I can guess.

It's still nice to hear it once in a while, though.

Curly!

What's the matter? Did you run out of work?

There's probably a few cows still back up in the hills.

Maybe you better start looking for them.

I'll see you later.

Some day he's gonna take you apart.

- Curly? - Yes, Curly.

And I hope I'm there to see it!

They don't look too bad considerin' the winter they put in.

Doesn't take 'em long to fatten up when they get good grass.

We'll comb those breaks to the north tomorrow.

You should be able to start your drive the day after.

- Which way do we go? - There's only one way to go.

Straight down the valley and around the mountain.

Seems to me to be shorter to cut across the mountain.

Yeah, it'd be shorter alright.

Nobody ever tried it that I know of.

Leastways they never came out the other side.

I'll take your word for it. You know this country better than I do.

You'll make up your own mind.

You're cuttin' it close for time as it is, and Telford may try to stop you.

I don't think he will.

Don't underestimate him, son.

If he gets this ranch, he'll have control of this whole basin,

and range is gettin' scarce.

He won't quit without tryin'.

Say, that's the purtiest sight I've seen

since I held four 7's against an ace-high full.

Get up!

Go on, get up and I'll beat your brains out!

What's the trouble, Curly?

We was just lookin' at Miss Rita.

Take it easy.

- Well, that's worth lookin' at. - Now, wait a minute!

She's your girl, Curly.

If you don't want us to look at her, tell her to go home where she belongs.

One of these days you're gonna start your play

and I'm not gonna give you a chance to change your mind.

Come and get it!

Before I throw it to the hogs!

Now go on, get your grub.

Well, what do we got this morning?

Same thing you had yesterday: beans and horse meat.

I don't mind eatin' horse,

except I figure the Professor oughta unharness 'em before he cooks 'em.

Hey, boss.

Something on your mind, Professor?

Yeah, Mr. Saxon tells me you're gonna start your drive tomorrow.

- Is that right? - That's right, start tomorrow.

What do you figure on eatin' while you're makin' it?

What's the matter? We short of grub?

No, we ain't short. We're just runnin' out, that's all.

What do you need?

Well, lemme see. We need, uh, potatoes,

flour, salt,

cornmeal,

- uh, hog fat, uh... - Well, make a list of it.

There's a wagon goin' into town after grub today.

- And why tell me? - 'Cause you're driving it.

Now, get your breakfast and hook up the team.

Well, there they are, boys.

All right, let's start 'em runnin'.

Saddle up, men!

Clay!

Get out in front and try to turn them!

They got 'em turned and stopped, but they're scattered from here to...

Who's hurt?

Brazos.

Bad?

Well, he won't be chasin' cows for a while.

Telford?

If I had to nominate anyone, he'd get my vote.

Better take him back to the ranch.

I'll send Dr. Farrell out from town.

Come daylight, start gettin' that herd back together.

Why don't you give up?

It'll take a week to get 'em bunched again.

I want 'em bunched and ready to move by day after tomorrow.

Whoa, whoa!

Oh, it's you.

Don't tell me you got worried and came looking for me.

- Where's the grub? - There isn't any.

Telford shut off your credit at O'Shay's.

Get that rig turned around and meet me in town.

Kittredge is coming up.

Mr. Kittredge.

This is an unexpected pleasure.

Is it? Or didn't you think I'd come lookin' for you?

I'm sorry, I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about.

You know what I'm talking about.

Keep your hired hands off my ranch, or I'll nail your hide up to dry.

I don't like threats, Mr. Kittredge.

I'm not threatening you. Just tryin' to save your life.

Oh, the peace-lovin' type.

- Johnny! - Hi ya, Reb.

Thought you were herdin' sheep up in the Marias.

Aw, them wool-growers treat their dogs better than they treat their men.

Besides that, I couldn't stand the smell.

I see you gentlemen know each other.

Uh, we got a sort of a shootin' acquaintance.

I understand you're in the ranchin' business.

Yeah.

Want a job?

Thanks, I've, uh, already got one.

I'm glad you dropped in, Kittredge.

I'm prepared to make you an offer for the Square-S

that'll enable you to show a substantial profit.

It's not for sale.

You're making a mistake.

I've made 'em before.

It might interest you to know that

legally speaking, you don't own the ranch.

What are you talkin' about?

Well, there's a territorial statute that

voids ownership of any land won in a game of chance.

You're lyin'.

Read it yourself.

- Why didn't you tell me this before? - I didn't know it.

Mr. Bratton just discovered it this afternoon.

Looks like you run up against a cold deck, Reb.

If the ranch doesn't belong to me, why do you want to buy it?

Let's just say I'm offering you a bonus

to let the title revert to its original owner.

Take the money, Reb, and make it easy on both of us.

I don't wanna go gunnin' for ya.

That's your choice, Johnny.

Wait a minute.

I'll buy you a drink.

Why not?

Interesting situation.

- Need any help? - Sit down.

- Friends of yours? - They're my helpers.

Nice lookin' boys.

That's what I like about this job: the company you keep.

Sit down, Reb. I'll do a little foragin'.

Must've got a hold of the wrong bottle.

This is almost fit to drink.

That's Telford's own stock.

His bar whiskey ain't good for nothin' but cleanin' your boots.

What's he payin' you for the job, Johnny?

$3500.

Price is goin' up.

He only offered me $2000.

You gotta take into consideration the kind of talent he's hired.

How's he payin' you?

$1000 cash, $2500 bonus when the job is done.

Meanin' when you shoot me?

I think your name got mentioned someplace.

Well, I've been shot at for less.

Mind if I sit down?

No, there's always room for one more.

Just like old times, the three of us together.

Yep.

All we need now is an undertaker.

Be a real nice party.

How do you like the ranching business?

All right.

Up till now.

See you around, Johnny.

Yeah, it seems likely.

Johnny.

Yeah?

Do you think you'll have to kill him?

I don't know.

Drive the rig around back of O'Shay's.

I'll meet you there.

O'Shay.

I wanna talk to you.

Let's take a walk.

I-I like it here.

Maybe you didn't hear me. I said let's take a walk.

You're bluffing, Kittredge. You wouldn't dare shoot me in here.

If you think I'm bluffing, just keep sittin' there.

Kittredge just walked out with O'Shay.

Send Johnny up to see me.

One lamp's enough.

And get a pencil and write down what I take.

You'll get your money.

Can I do anything?

Yeah, help me carry this grub out.

Oh, this is robbery.

It's not robbery. I'm just opening up a charge account.

- Any more? - No, that's all.

Get this rig outside of town and wait for me. I won't be long.

No, now listen here, Kittredge.

I said you'd get your money and you'll get it.

Get his gun.

Oh, no, don't kill him in here.

I don't want to get mixed up in any killin'.

He broke into your store, didn't he?

Keep your shirt on. Nobody's gonna kill him.

Why not?

He's a friend of mine.

I thought Telford said to–

All Telford said was he didn't want that beef delivered.

Well?

I like to see cows run.

Like they did tonight.

- What are you gonna do with him? - Just rough him up a little.

That oughta slow him down for a day or two.

I still don't want any part of it.

Then get out!

You should've taken Telford's offer, kid.

It would've saved us both trouble.

That oughta do it.

Let's go.

Hurts, doesn't it?

Enough so that I'm not gonna forget who did it.

Where'd you ever learn to do that?

Spend all your life on a ranch, you learn a lot things.

S'pose I oughta thank you for gettin' me out of there.

That's all right.

Why did you do it?

Wondered what you'd be like without a right arm.

Besides, you gave Dad a job.

Suppose I have to be grateful for that.

Figured it might have something to do with me.

You needed help.

I've needed help before, only nobody ever gave it to me.

Are you in love with Curly?

He wants to marry me.

That's not what I asked you.

I don't know why it should interest you.

I don't wanna stake my claim on range that's already taken up.

I think we'd better go.

It took 'em two days to bunch 'em after we scattered 'em the other night.

They hit the trail before sunup this morning.

They're about 8 or 10 miles up the valley.

You figure they can get 'em over to the Yellowstone in a week?

They're cuttin' it pretty fine.

They way he's pushin' 'em, I think they will.

I guess we'd better be ridin' then.

That could turn out to be the biggest beef barbecue

ever seen in Montana Territory.

Just don't ever mention the fact that you help cook it.

You think I wanna get hung?

Wouldn't wanna bet against it.

Come on!

How far do you think we've come today?

I make it about 15 miles.

Good, we'll pick up a few more.

We still got a couple of hours of daylight left.

We've been on the road since full-dark this morning.

The crew's gotta sleep sometime.

Why don't we bed down here?

They can sleep when we hit the Yellowstone.

Now get 'em movin'.

One thing you've gotta learn:

you can press a man just so far.

And you still got an arm in a sling.

Let me worry about that.

I just thought I'd mention it.

I'll ride on ahead and pick out a spot for camp.

Somebody set fire to that whole valley!

It's coming this way like a runaway train!

I was wondering what Telford would think up next.

Come on, let's get 'em across the river!

Get that wagon turned around!

- Feel better now? - Yeah.

Thanks.

Can't he do that for himself?

I suppose he could.

Why?

Let him do it, then.

Are you trying to tell me what to do?

I been watching you two.

I don't like what I see.

Maybe you better stop looking.

Are you fallin' for Kittredge?

I'm not falling for anybody.

And that goes for you, too.

Looks to me like you done lost your gal, Curly.

I don't know about the rest of you,

but personally I'm pullin' out in the mornin'.

It looked for a while like we might get our pay.

Now we don't stand a Chinaman's chance of it.

You'll get your money, Curly.

Just get those cows movin' at sunrise in the morning.

Where are gonna move 'em to?

To the Yellowstone.

You can't drive cattle over that burned ground.

They'll suffocate inside a mile.

I don't intend to try.

I'm gonna take 'em over those mountains.

I've hunted that country.

It can't be done.

- Have you ever tried? - No.

Then you've got a new experience comin' to you.

Not to me.

Then get outta camp.

I'll leave when I'm ready.

You'll leave right now.

I reckon that's a choice I'll make for myself.

The only choice you've got is how you'll go:

either ridin' on a horse or feet first.

You've been twirlin' a pretty big loop ever since you came here.

Maybe it's time somebody took the slack out of your rope.

Any time you're ready.

I wouldn't draw on a man with a bad arm.

Don't let the arm stop you, Curly.

Any of the rest of you think you can't make it over that mountain,

better leave now.

Speakin' for myself,

I always figured high altitude was health-givin'.

If that's the best you can do,

it's a good thing Curly didn't call your bluff.

I never worried about Curly.

Then what are you practicing for?

Told Telford that I'd kill him if he made any more trouble for me.

That won't get your ranch back.

Figure it'll stop him from gettin' any pleasure out of it.

Look, you're not the first man who's lost anything.

Dad lost his ranch to you in the turn of a card,

but he didn't yell.

He only said his luck had run out.

Yeah.

He was playin' with a joker in the deck.

I don't know what you mean.

He figures he can get the land back after I get through saving it for him.

That's a lie!

Maybe you better go ask him.

Dad never welshed on a bet in his life.

His daughter once told me she never welshed either.

Get up!

Get up there!

Come on! Get that wagon outta there!

Irish! Greasy!

Come on, get that outfit up the hill!

What do you want me to do?

Take it apart and carry it up piece by piece!?

Greasy, get a rope on it. Irish, give him a hand.

Whoa, now!

Sometimes I can't figure out why I didn't quit this job before I started.

Boy, don't you like workin' for Saxon?

Yeah, well, I ain't workin' for him now.

The way I got it figured,

you might be.

Hey, keep talkin'.

There's a law in this neck of the woods that says

you can't win property in a gambling game.

I'll be durn.

So he's been copperin' his bet all the way.

If he ain't been,

I'll buy the drinks the next time we reach town.

- Get ready to roll, Professor. - Right.

Hyah, hyah!

Get up there!

We oughta hit that ridge by tonight.

Wonder what it's like on the other side.

Well, I reckon it can't be any worse.

We've already crossed some country

that'd make a bighorn sheep sick at its stomach.

Come on, let's keep 'em rolling.

Looks like he's gonna make it on time, doesn't it?

I always thought maybe he would.

What happens to us?

Now don't you fret, kitten.

Everything's gonna work out fine.

But why are you telling all this to me?

It was my impression that you're working for Kittredge.

I was workin' for him.

Up till two days ago.

I presume you had a good reason for quitting.

It was good enough to suit me.

Uh-huh.

Do you know that country, Curly?

What are his chances of taking the herd through the hills?

It'd be rough travelin', but it could be done.

Well, if it can be done, he'll do it.

Then I suggest you take some steps to prevent it.

I was afraid you were gonna say somethin' like that.

You mind if I ride out with you?

Yeah, I mind.

I like people that shoot you from the front.

You'll need a guide, Johnny.

You're doin' the hirin', not me.

I'm just tellin' you what I think.

- Deep, ain't it? - Yeah.

Gonna be a neat trick gettin' that wagon down there, Professor.

Seen a man try it once.

Yeah?

W-well, w-what happened to him?

Nobody knows.

He ain't been heard from since.

Well, that oughta do it.

Professor!

Let's get it on the road.

You mean you really expect me to drive this down that?

You won't have any trouble with it.

Now look, boss, I don't mind goin' without sleep,

and I don't mind puttin' up with them wild animals and them rattlesnakes,

but when it comes to suicide, that's when I quit.

What do you think you're doin'?

You can't drive this outfit with a bad arm.

You wanna break your neck?

My neck? Gimme those reins!

Hyah!

Phew!

Scared?

Never let me do that again.

I thought you quit.

Thought you might be needin' me.

What are you talkin' about?

Well, I...

I saw Curly and a gang of Telford's men

comin' through the gulch a couple of hours back.

Curly didn't waste any time changin' sides, did he?

We can't hold those cattle in here if they try to run 'em.

There's a blind canyon up ahead a little ways.

Let's run 'em in there.

I got an idea.

Come on, Professor.

Get 'em all the way to the back!

Professor, pull over to those rocks and get a fire going!

What do you want a fire for!? They're comin' up here with guns!

You heard me! Get moving!

- Get up, hyah! - Remember, son,

there's only one way outta here: the way we came in.

I know it. That's exactly why I brought 'em in here.

That's the last of 'em, boss.

All right. Put some more wood on the fire.

You know, maybe I forgot to tell you this,

but there are twenty or thirty of 'em in that bunch.

I heard ya.

They're comin' about a quarter of a mile down the valley.

They're in for a surprise when they get here.

You two get up in those rocks over there.

Like shootin' fish in a barrel.

That's too bad.

He was a good friend of yours.

Come on, let's get goin'.

Dad!

- How bad are you hurt? - Oh, don't worry about me.

Just get your beef to the railhead.

I'll be there.

Here come your beef!

You got a doctor in town?

We got a man that calls himself a doctor.

- Other side of the tracks. - Thanks.

Better get your dad taken care of. I'll be back in a little bit.

Whoa!

There you are, Mr. Kittredge.

I think you'll find our tally agrees with yours.

Take your word for it.

Never stopped to count 'em.

How bad is he hurt, Doc?

Only a flesh wound.

He'll be all right in a few days.

Well, son,

looks like all your troubles are over.

Could be they're just beginning.

You wanted a ranch.

Anytime you own something, you got trouble.

That's part of the responsibility you take.

I'm not so sure I own anything.

You still got time to get to Billings and pay off your note.

That's not what I mean.

Seems there's a law in this territory that you can't win property in a gambling game.

I've heard of it.

What are you gonna do about it?

That law was passed to protect drunkards and fools.

I'm neither one.

Does that answer your question?

Part of it.

- Everything all right? - Fine, Doc. Thanks.

What's the other part?

You could've high-carded me that night we cut for the ranch.

- Maybe. - Why didn't you?

That's sorta hard to explain, son.

I figured I had nothin' to lose,

and everything to gain.

I never cottoned much to Curly,

except there was nobody around to give him competition.

- Why pick me out? - I didn't do the pickin'.

I just sorta put the merchandise in the window

where people could look at it.

You got a good piece of land now, son,

and a good girl.

All you gotta do is hang that gun up and go to work.

I still owe somebody for this.

That's one debt you don't have to pay.

Maybe not the way you figure it, but

he's still got a price on my head.

You try to buck him one-handed, he's apt to bite.

What would you do?

Same thing you're gonna do.

Only I still think you're a hot-headed young idiot.

Thanks.

Well, what's this?

That's your deed,

just in case I happen to put my chips back in the rack.

What'll I tell Rita?

Tell her I'll be back!

You got to get out of town, Johnny.

You know he'll come lookin' for you.

You wanna see me run?

Yes.

That's sort of a change, isn't it?

Trouble is there isn't room enough to run in.

If he's lookin' for me, I don't wanna go to bed every night

thinkin' this might be the one when he'll find me.

Reb!

That's about far enough, Johnny.

Somebody you want to see?

Telford.

Got a little bill I wanna pay.

You can leave the money with me.

I'll give it to him.

I wanna pay this in person.

Maybe you forget I'm still workin' for Telford.

He don't wanna see ya.

I thought he'd be real pleased.

Don't try it, kid.

Not one-handed.

You're still worth 2500 bucks to me,

and I'd drop you before you hit the foot of the stairs.

In that case, I'll make it easy for you.

How do you like that, tryin' to cheat me out of my bonus.

There's some people you just can't trust.

I'll buy a drink for the house!

Just name your poison, gentlemen.

If we haven't got it, we'll make it.

I guess that squares us, Johnny.

I'm glad to hear it, Reb.

I never did like to shoot my friends.

I think somebody's lookin' for ya.

Come on, let's get outta here.

Didn't take you long to get here, did it?

If you find time, you can have that deed recorded.

We'll be busy.

Looks like things turned out just the way you figured.

I'm satisfied.

Doc, I'll cut ya for a drink.

Don't bother. I'll buy.