Original subtitles

Yep, yep, lots of tiny little specks.

The whole creek is full of gold.

I asked around and I heard that you're a good man to do some business with.

Well, you mean expediting the filing.

No, I got some other business.

Business in what way?

That's just talking money.

I filed for a homestead.

You were going to homestead, Mr. Peasley?

There was a quarter section right next to yours.

You?

The creek is definitely on Mr.

Peasley's land.

It would definitely be his creek.

What are we going to do?

Oh, I don't know.

Well, if you don't make some sort of arrangement and your well should ever

dry, you'd have to abandon your homestead.

Abandon? I think it would be dishonest of us to share ownership of that creek

with Mr. Peasley without showing him what we have found there.

Open it.

We haven't had it tested. You don't have to have it tested. I work for no gold

claims in my time to no plaster dust when I see it. And that's it.

That's it.

That's gold, Molly, and it's on my property. It's gold.

I mean, it's our property.

Well, now I'm going to pay you, boys. I got a feeling that my luck's about to

change. Yeah, which way is the herd heading?

Straight north.

We'll be in touch.

Well, Millie, are you, uh, you got business around these parts?

Yeah.

Ours? Look, I got the idea you was maybe figuring a mix into my business.

Cattle. Go see the nearest law.

Hazard ain't here.

Sam, forgive me.

Forgive me.

Luke said he met up with a fellow that was almost a magician with a gun. Yeah,

kind of remember him making friends with a sort of fast gun fellow.

Traveled with fast gun people, did he?

He had a real wrong sound to him.

I resent you permitting that murdering thief, McCann, to sit at that table a

free man.

Stillman, I'm sorry for that arm you're carrying around. But you got it trying

to lynch me instead of carrying out the law. Gentlemen, you're going to have to

take your quarrel elsewhere.

I don't know how he'd even have the nerve to testify about that day.

You don't have too much to worry about unless there's something from your past

so incriminating that your testimony up until now would be immediately suspect.

Oh, ma 'am! Ma 'am, I can't tell you how sorry I am. Here, let me help you.

Excuse me.

I've never even kissed a girl.

Do you want to kiss me?

Yes.

You know, I was told there's as much power under this roof as there is at the

territorial capital.

I've made many friends down through the years. As a consultant, I'll advise.

I'll speak to certain people that you should know.

When McCahan is extradited, he'll go to Missouri prison.

And you'll be richer $5 ,000.

We did meet.

Before, didn't we?

Who was that

man? I'd say he's a fellow who wants to shovel dirt in your face.

Is Frankie that way, too?

Hey, Doreen.

Good morning, Josh.

Never see you around anymore, Doreen.

I've been busy.

I don't know.

I think since we went on that picnic, you've been kind of making it a point to

avoid me.

Nonsense.

We can sit together if you like.

Great. Then maybe after the hearing we can talk.

That's his younger brother.

Been hearing.

But I haven't been hearing too much from you, Mr. Britton.

Why, Mr. Simmons, maybe you'll hear something that you like inside.

After you.

All right, let's settle down and get this proceeding started.

Pay attention back there.

All right, at the outset, I want to say that this is not a trial, but it is a

formal hearing in which arguments will be heard for and against the extradition

of one Luke McCain.

Now, we're going to concern ourselves with the criminal charges still on file

the state of Missouri and attempt to determine if they are sufficient to

the extradition that Missouri is looking for.

Mr. Zachary Knight is here to represent our governor, so I'm going to ask him to

assist me in the questioning.

Play devil's advocate, if he wishes.

Also, I want to say that I'm not so concerned with the formal proceedings

as I am in making sure that justice is well served by either recommending the

granting of that extradition or denying it.

All right, Luke McCann, you'll be sworn in. Take the witness stand.

No matter what he says, I knew I had to put up a fight or be hanged right there

in the barn.

You say you were wounded.

Were you in pain?

Yes.

Tired? Hungry?

I sure was.

You weren't at your best due to fatigue.

Well, I sure wasn't at my best.

I wasn't confused about having to fight for my life that day.

Your Honor, Mr. McCann would like to place in the record this newspaper

of his so -called exploits.

Also would like to place in the record this deposition from law officer.

Every instance that he was forced to use a gun, he used it properly.

Either in self -defense or in protection of others.

In fact, Mr. McCann claims that every unfavorable item appearing in this

circulated newspaper has been officially rebutted.

The clerk will see that all those items become a part of the record.

Thank you, John.

I don't hang people out of hand.

You were saying you only attempted to tie up McKay and to subdue him.

Correct. It was difficult to subdue.

Yes.

By the way, Mr. Stillman, the three farmers who helped you subdue him, did

get depositions from them verifying the truth of your statement here?

No. Why not?

Two of them are dead and the other one moved away. You didn't think it was

important enough to find the other man?

I didn't have any reason to believe officials in this territory would take

upon themselves to free a thief and kill him.

I trust that that's the last remark of that nature that we're going to hear

you.

You've stated, Mr. Stillman, it took you and three strapping farmers to

subdue Mr. McCann.

It did? A wounded man, hungry, tired.

Well, now, getting away from the mystery of why a man of such weakened condition

needed such force to be subdued, I'm puzzled why he resisted in the first

McCain knew that he could prove that he received the wound in battle and not

from some farmer who shot a horse thief the previous night.

Why in the world was he struggling so, so furiously?

that he indeed broke free.

I think here's where a simple faith in a man's word will answer that question.

Mr. Stillman, you will find yourself to the question, which is why Luke McCain

found it so necessary to struggle so hard against you and others.

When he knew that evidence would soon be at hand, it would prove that he was not

guilty of stealing a horse. Now that's a question.

Why is any consideration being given this man?

He's an army deserter.

A cowardly deserter. The embassy didn't change that.

He needed a horse. He took a horse. Don't ever mind asking. Mr. Stillman?

an innocent of assaulting me. Does an innocent man run? Ride the outlaw trail?

Does an innocent man not throw himself on the mercy of the court? Vicious

sits there now and pleads for his freedom.

Look at that pained expression on his face. Playing the part of a falsely

accused. Mr.

Stillman, you're out of order.

You deliberately pointed my own gun at me.

You deliberately took aim.

A defenseless man.

You laughed at me. And you shot me.

Laughed? With a bayonet wound to my stomach and blood running down my leg?

I'll have no more of this.

Any further remarks will be addressed directly to me.

Mr. Stillman, unless you have something further to offer this hearing, which is

solely and specifically directed to fact and not just emotional rhetoric, I must

conclude that your testimony is completed.

Now I must ask if there are any other interested parties that wish to be heard

from in this matter.

I'd like to say a few words, Judge.

Make sure the record's straight.

Approach the bench and be sworn in.

What's he doing here?

Who is he?

I don't know.

He showed up at the jail and gave me a good looking over.

I tell you, I've never seen him before in my life.

I do.

Would you state your name, please?

Frank Grayson.

Grayson.

Miss Grayson, you say you have something of substance to offer this hearing?

I can prove that this man, Luke McCain, rode with a gang of outlaws known as

Flint's Raiders.

From the beginning, I know about this killer kid.

I believe the flinch raiders that you speak of were very

active in the northern territories.

They robbed banks, gold shipments, a train that I know of.

They even took an army payroll a couple years back.

Mr. McKay and I ask if that statement is true.

Did you ride with that outlaw gang?

No, Your Honor, it is not true. I was held prisoner by that gang.

I never mentioned it to you because it wasn't anything in my past open to

question.

In fact, after I escaped from the gang, I warned the sheriff of Jimson's Break

that they were about to commit a gold shipment robbery.

You escaped from Flint's men or you turned on your own people for the reward

money? I don't know anything about any reward.

I was held prisoner. Flint's men wouldn't let me go.

What proof do you have to offer that Luke McCain was a member of that gang

not being held prisoner as he claimed he was?

My brother was a member of that gang.

And he was killed along with Colonel Flint when this man turned on the people

that he was riding with.

I was not riding. You'll have a chance to reply.

Were you a member of that gang?

No. Then I don't understand what proof you're offering that he was not being

forcibly detained like he claimed he was.

My brother's own words.

This is a letter that... that Kurt wrote to me before he was shot in the back

and killed.

Some of it's family business.

Asking about our ma and pa.

Asking how I was doing.

By the way, would you mind telling the court exactly what your business is?

I've been hiring myself out to Texas range wars.

Hiring yourself out as what?

I guess I can handle a gun pretty good.

I see.

All right, continue.

Mostly we're just laying around up here waiting for something big to start, but

I can tell you about that when I see you.

The colonel's doing pretty good by us all, if you know what I mean.

He's still fussy as to who comes into the gang.

And the new fellow who's joining us is somebody who reminds me of you.

His name is Luke McCann.

Your brother only thought I was joining the gang.

I told you, you'd have ample opportunity to question the contents of this

letter.

Is that the sole reference, Luke McCann?

No, there's one other thing, and it's just a little strange with him saying he

was held prisoner.

Luke and me have grown to be real good friends.

We're spending a lot of time together.

Me teaching him how to quick draw and shoot.

May I see that letter, please?

Now, Mr. McKay, in this letter is going to be the subject of very close scrutiny

to determine his authenticity, but...

Perhaps you yourself can tell us whether or not you feel it's genuine.

Yes, Your Honor, I... I can see Kurt writing it.

And that statement is true. You were handling a gun and you were taking

practice while you were in the company of those men?

Now, I admit...

that being held prisoner and allowed to carry a gun sounds funny. Funny?

That ain't the word for it, mister.

Try hilarious.

But look, tell him the truth.

He is. He told us all about it when he got home. As soon as he found out they

were going to rob that gold shipment, he escaped and almost got killed.

Now, young man, the court is very interested in hearing your opinion about

character and the activities of your brother.

But now is not the time.

You're going to listen to McCann's brother?

What do you expect him to say?

Now, I want everybody to hear this.

Now, I said at the outset this is not a trial, but it is an official hearing,

and the court is empowered to hear any witness in its desire to find out the

true character and the intent of the petitioner, Luke McCann.

Now, I don't want to hear any more of that.

Yes, sir, Judge.

How did you arrange all this?

That'll be my business, wouldn't it?

This letter will become part of the record, unless, of course, you have some

objection to it being made public.

I have no objections.

All right. In that event, this hearing will stand in recess until tomorrow

morning at 10 a .m., by which time I hope to have a telegram from Sheriff

and Jim since break.

Adjourned.

You have to be fancy, you know. All you're doing with this porn is sand,

and water.

Now, don't get in his way, girls.

Seems to me, Mr. Peasley, you've set yourself on a back -breaking job hauling

from that creek.

Oh, no, not really, Molly. That's only temporary, see?

Once the men get back, they set up a permanent washing operation down at the

creek. Take a sluice right down there.

But in the meantime... Here, just put this up here.

We get a head start here in the barn. We pick us up maybe, oh, $10 ,000 or so.

Ten thousand dollars.

Look at that smile. I'll tell you, gold does funny things to people.

Sets a tingling all up and down their spine.

Makes them smile.

Oh, I'll never forget the first claim I worked. It was up along the American

River.

I worked that claim every day.

Fighting the heat and the chiggers.

Got a smashing drunk every night.

How much gold did you find?

Oh, not enough. It's never enough.

I tell you, with taters a dollar apiece, whiskey $20 a bottle, and women.

Well, it just wasn't enough.

You know, girls, I think we better set up some sort of system for carrying the

well water into the barn.

I gotta get going. I got some chores to do. I'll see you later.

You know, won't people be, well, somewhat suspicious with you hauling all

sand up from the creek?

Oh, no, I don't think so, Molly. See, I ordered some cement from town. So we

just tell them that we're mixing all this stuff together with the cement to

build this new house.

Of course, now, you know, it's going to be a little more convincing, Molly, if

you tell them that we're courting.

And that's why we need the new house.

I'll see you off at supper, ladies.

That fellow has the cheek of the devil.

Frankly, I thought it went well and well.

So far.

Renson's telegraphed Jimson's break.

Confirmation that Luke McCahan was not a member of that Flint gang.

But the sheriff can't testify to Luke's motivation.

I think it's perfectly possible that young McCahan saw an advantage in

on his friends.

Stillman, I don't know what you're worried about.

I mean, if McCahan goes free, he'll be in the streets moving around.

Me and Frank Grayson will kill him.

And where does that leave me?

The moment he's freed, I'm branded a liar.

Aren't you?

If there was a time, I wouldn't take that from any man, not even you.

Now, I'm telling you flat out.

I paid you for Luke McKeon's extradition.

And I want him found to be the thief and liar that he is.

And in a Missouri state prison.

Sturman, the waters in that hearing are so muddy.

It'll last a week.

We've got plenty of time to see how things go.

Tonight.

Something happened tonight.

This is over and done with.

I've paid enough to ensure some action here.

You're getting it the most effective way, Stoneman.

Which is to have the action encoded with some subtleties.

The hell with your subtleties.

And I don't even want to know the cost.

In that case, I'll just accept a check.

You just leave the amount blank.

Cheers.

We go back to left water?

There's no going back.

There's another river about 30 miles up the northwest of here.

30 miles.

Tucker will be dead.

We're going to drive him straight through night and day, no stopping that.

right, get the wagon moving.

All right, get the cattle going.

Then we can't afford loads of more time this way.

How far to water?

About eight mile up ahead is a riverbed.

Should be some water holding.

Toto, they died.

They're dying.

We can't afford to leave them to the wolves.

You leave us to the wolves.

Won't come to that.

If it does.

You will not be the last to die Get

on up ahead with the others

Temporary home, Mr. Peasley?

Yeah, just sort of putting down my mark, Mr. Evans.

Like some coffee?

Thank you, Mr. Peasley.

Here.

Thank you.

You got $300 coming, Mr. Evans. You bring that homestead paper.

Oh, I brought it, Mr. Peasley. Yes, indeedy.

I was most careful in duplicating the original.

The crick's shown to be on your quarter section and not the McKeon's. So anyone

examining the land book would never be able to prove the crick is not on your

quarter section.

Mr. Evans, you're a man of prime talent.

Why, thank you.

You gonna count it?

By the way, Mr. Peasley, I... I've been asking around about you.

And I hear that years ago you and... Zeb McCann had a violent dispute about

something or other.

Yeah, we had a little run -in.

What else did you hear?

Oh, just that McCann bested you in some way.

You vowed to even the score one day.

I'm wondering what's going to happen when the McKayans get back and you two

finally meet up.

You know what I always say, Mr. Evan, let bygones be, never hold a grudge.

You know how people talk.

By the way, did the McKayan women put up much of a fuss when you

offered to share the water?

They argued to bet the creek ought to be theirs, but they were glad enough to

share the water.

Share the water.

But didn't they seem to want more than just water rights?

I don't follow you.

Well, I explained to the McCann women that I was certain you would allow them

continue using creek water.

Then the youngest, I believe her name was Jessie, she started to say something

about it wasn't the water they were interested in.

What was it?

I don't know.

But something.

And I just can't get it out of my mind.

I was intending to say that you got a fair share, Mr. Evans, but I'm going to

have to let you in on it now.

this gold find.

Gold find?

That's right.

I knew it was something.

I just knew it.

Come on, take yourself a pan full of bottom and take a look.

I knew it.

How big a strike do you think it is, Mr. Peasley?

Well, I haven't properly scattered the air, eh?

I'd say for sure.

That's it. You're not going to have a financial worry the rest of your life,

Evans.

But what difference does it make if Luke didn't mention about learning to shoot

a gun from one of Flint's men?

He didn't never really ride with him?

Help him steal anything?

The realities are that the world is more complicated than you youngsters want to

believe. Now, that old expression, you lie down with dogs, you get up with

fleas, well, that applied directly to Luke. Just the minute that he admitted

that he was friendly with the Flint gang.

But Luke was a prisoner of that gang.

A prisoner was taught to fast draw and fire.

I'm still wondering how I'm going to phrase that and report to the governor.

I still come up with a last line.

I concur Luke McCann should not be extradited, but given his freedom.

What's worrying me is that that deposition from Sheriff Gant won't be

enough to offset the damage that was done by that letter that Frank Grayson

in court.

You don't have to worry any about Sheriff Gant not praising Luke to the

Wait a minute.

We don't have to worry about Luke's not being praised to the sky. Is that what

you said?

Well, Luke and Sheriff Gant are real good friends.

I guess that's why Luke didn't want to mention what happened over at Jimson's

break. You see, he didn't want to bring the girl into it, the sheriff's

daughter.

Well, you see, he's kind of sweet on her, and with Luke's name being in the

newspaper, he didn't want to get her name mixed up in it, too.

Uh, did I say something wrong?

Are you saying that the sheriff was supposed to give Luke a clean bill of

that's got a stake in his freedom?

Well, I figure he expects Luke to come back and marry Hillary.

Oh, Hillary's the sheriff's daughter, I mean.

Deposition from a possible future father -in -law.

Josh, all we need is one tainted deposition to put all the rest of them

doubt.

You know, this isn't fair.

I mean, Luke never did a bad thing in his life, and now everybody in town's

treating him like an outlaw.

Now, look, son.

You're going to be a character witness for your brother in the morning.

And the best thing you can do for him is to resist all impulses to label him as

the second coming of Christ.

Speaking of that, is there anything in your past that's best left unsaid? Any

arrests, anything?

Not that I know of, Judge.

I mean, the only time I ever even seen the inside of a jail was when I went to

visit Luke, seeing him behind bars.

Well, let's not quite put it like that in the morning, shall we? You see, the

fewer times that Luke's name is connected with jails or bars or outlaw

anything, the better it's going to be for your brother.

It's open.

Darling, you can't make that face any prettier than it is.

Starts my night off nicely?

I notice you haven't seen much of Josh McCann lately.

Well, it started getting a little too serious, so I thought I'd discourage

Hmm.

I'd like you to see him tonight.

I drink.

Luke didn't come off looking too good today, did he? No, he didn't. But it

wasn't Luke's fault. I mean, everything suddenly started sounding wrong.

I just hope tomorrow... What happened here?

Oh, you heard the one about people walking in the door?

Well, today I found out that people really do do that sometimes.

Anyway, I was going to have a bite to eat, and I thought, tonight, maybe I

treat you.

I just ate.

That doesn't matter. You can keep me company. Maybe have some coffee.

Great. Okay.

We can talk.

You really have it in for McCann, don't you?

Just as you do.

No, it's different.

I want him in the open.

I want him facing me for killing my brother.

I don't want him rotting in some Missouri prison on a trumped -up charge.

Sid, you've killed over a dozen men in as many years.

Now, are you debating points of morality with me?

I don't know what you mean about debating points of morality, Mr.

I've had to kill men, but I've never enjoyed it.

The difference between us is I don't enjoy pulling the wings off of flies.

And how much of my money is going to you to gun down Luke McCahan if he's set

free in this town?

Well, I was offered $2 ,000 by Mr.

Britton. Paid to soil very moral hands.

No, I turned him down.

If the game goes free, I'll kill him.

As a matter of principle.

Not cash.

As soon as Luke gets out of trouble, I have to talk with you.

Talk about what?

About you and me.

Remember what you said a while back?

About having things to look forward to?

Like building a ranch and things like that?

I remember.

You really mean it?

I mean, you wouldn't mind starting with nothing someplace up in Colorado?

You and me?

Well, kind of a big step, Josh.

Too big?

No, I didn't say that.

Hey, aren't you going to toast to my birthday?

I have to promise not to ask how old I am, though.

I promise.

Bottoms up.

What? That's a saying I heard the other day.

Like this.

Bottoms up.

Ooh, bitter.

I can see you're not much of a wine drinker.

No, I'm not.

The first drink I ever had before coming to this town was...

Some dandelion wine. Oh.

Dandel... Here, sit down.

Some dandelion wine.

I...

I'm

sorry, Josh.

I really am.

Go and get a glass of water.

Grace, it's fun.

You just went crazy.

What's the matter with Doreen?

I think he wrapped her up.

I think you ought to take him to his cell and let him sleep it off.

Let him sleep it off?

Young lady, you've got the same right as any other town woman. I got to ask you

what this fella did to you.

I had to throw a pitcher at him.

I kept trying to get him to leave, but he was forcing me to do things and

hurting me.

Oh, my God.

Say, uh, gents, would you give me a hand getting this film to sell?

You take good care of her, will you?

I'll see to it that the doctors are being sent up immediately.

All right?

No, no, no.

The young man has too much to drink. He's just got a little

unruly. So just relax. Everything is under control. Have a drink in the

Thanks, fellas.

What happened to him?

Well, you never can tell about a fella.

Talked like a boy, acted like a boy.

He got a mean streak in him.

What'd you do to him?

Do to him, son?

Nobody did nothing to him.

Don't call me son.

Now, what did you do to my brother?

He physically abused one of the girls at the Calumet's club.

What?

Last time we had a thing like that happen here, we hung them right after a

church picnic.

Everybody in these parts watched that hanging and applauded. Yes, they

applauded.

Well, Josh couldn't do anything like hurting a girl.

You got yourself some witness in the morning. Taking that witness chair and

legging hand irons.

That's what's behind it. Making my brother look bad.

Boy, I see it.

He didn't need any help to prove he's a McCann.

Not breathing.

Get back.

I'll break it.

I'll break it. You breathe wrong.

Now you hand up the pistol.

Two fingers on the pistol grip.

Take it out easy.

Come on, reach for it.

All right, now you get on your feet and you open the door.

You're looking to hang with your brother, huh?

Look, Marshal, I don't want to kill you.

So I'll settle for you just opening the door.

Look, they'll take it into consideration that he's your brother.

He got excited. You weren't thinking. I was thinking just fine.

For what you and your friend did to my brother.

It'd be worth hanging just to have the satisfaction of blowing your blamed head

off.

But I got him to think about it.

I said, you just come over here and open the door.

It's down in the book.

Come on, get in here.

All right, give me your hand.

You're not going to win this, boy.

You'll end up in boot hell.

And we're not going to have to listen to any more of your gags.

Come on.

I must have emptied a whole bottle in here.

We've got to sober up so we can get our heads together.

Now, come on.

The two of us hanging ain't far from talking if we don't get some working for

here. Let's try it, Luke.

I'm really trying.

Please, Luke, let's rest.

I ain't got any legs, Luke.

Can't you remember anything from tonight?

Talking, talking to Doreen.

I can't remember anything else. I can't even stay awake, Luke.

It's all right, it's all right.

I've got to get the judge, Ransom.

I hope he don't believe that you and me together just ain't a pack of trouble he

don't need.

You wait for me here.

devil himself to do this, Judge.

I guess somebody can have a reason to blame this on me now.

What's going on, boy?

Can't.

I still got my tay hand fell on the loose.

Marshal. He broke in jail? He sure did.

Marshal.

Josh. Josh.

No matter how bad you feel, I figure both of us will be hanging if we don't

out fast.

Josh. Now, Josh, you got her.

Benson's dead.

Dead?

Yeah, somebody killed him.

Let's go, Luke.

Luke, I can't do it.

Are you going to hit this posse, Mr. Simmons?

Nobody listened to me, but I had that kid right.

You mean to tell me you didn't arrange for the judge's demands?

Take me for a damn fool.

Luke McKay ain't shot him. He was seen running from the judge's house.

That doesn't figure.

I mean, the only answer I can see is that the judge told McKay he was

him off to Missouri Jail.

The boy's nerves are gone.

Whatever. But I got it in my mind that I'm not getting too much for the money I

paid you.

Now, Mr. Sturman, once I make a commitment, I aim to keep it.

I arranged for two of the best trackers in the whole Southwest. They're going to

meet you south of town.

They've worked for me before.

I'll follow your orders to the letter.

To the letter.

You betcha.

You didn't hear any shots fired?

No, but I was in the root cellar anyways, part of the time.

It's when I got back into the house that I saw my K -hand heading away from the

judge's house. My dog was barking at him.

Fires logic.

He must have got awful mad at the judge after breaking him and his brother from

jail.

Well, you may well never know.

Now, these warrants authorize they may be taken dead or alive.

You and the others consider yourselves to be deputized marshals.

How does it feel to be back in the traces again?

I want you to put on a telegraph that I am guaranteeing a reward of $5 ,000 for

the apprehension of Luke McKay. What about his brother, Josh?

The older McKay, and I'm interested in him.

There's a gentleman downstairs, just in from Chicago.

He wants to know if you're busy.

Young or old.

He's rich.

Well, that does even matter.

I had to chase that old cow all the way down to

Peterson Meadow.

She's a wanderer, all right.

Do you remember Mr.

Evans? How would we ever forget him? He's the one that gave us the bad news

our creek is really on Mr.

Peasley's land. He's dead.

Yeah, Mr.

Peterson's boy told me. He helped me chase the cow.

Seems Mr.

Evans fell off his horse and hit his head on a rock.

Oh, that's terrible.

It was a strange sort of accident, but I'll tell you when I come back.

Where are you going with the cider, Jessie?

Well, Mr. Peasley asked me if we had something cool to drink.

I'll tell you, Aunt Molly, with Mr. Peasley out there in our barn working,

I just don't feel too comfortable is one way of putting it.

I know what you mean, Laura.

I think I once described him to Jesse as being unpredictable.

Though sometimes you do have to laugh at the things he says.

But at other times, somehow his words just don't fit his expression.

Maybe that's what I'm trying to say. Even when he tells a joke, only his

smiles. His eyes never change expression.

You know, I'm still curious about the circumstances surrounding his meeting

Uncle Zeb.

Didn't he say it was some quarrel over a trap line in the mountains?

I don't know why, but somehow I have the feeling that it was something much more

serious than a quarrel over a trap line, or so slight a matter.

Mr. Peasley.

Won't be long now.

I brought you some cider.

Thanks, that's real nice.

Did you hear about Mr. Evans?

Land office man?

No.

They found him on the old post road last night. Dead.

Dead? What happened to him?

Well, the horse was standing by his body and some people say that the saddle

wasn't cinched properly.

When the saddle flipped around, Mr. Evans fell off and hit his head on a

Isn't that a shame?

Gee, you just can't be too careful, you know.

All these accidents and all.

See for me.

Mmm.

It is good, though. Did you make that yourself?

Hey, G, come out here.

What you up?

There's somebody coming.

Oh, there ain't nobody coming.

You're always saying somebody's coming and nothing's coming.

It's all in that knothead head of you. Well, I'm going to tell you somebody's

coming because there's a heap of dust out there.

Well, there's always dust out there.

Last week you said somebody's coming and he was never there.

Well, you better go get them spectacles yours and put them on because I'm gonna

tell you somebody's a -coming. Oh, you ain't never give me no answer yet. It's

your day to do the cooking.

I showed you that calendar, didn't I?

What good's a calendar? You don't know what day it is.

Hey, by golly, somebody is coming.

That's what I told you, Sweden head.

Yeah, but nobody was coming when you said they were. Oh, you numbskull, you.

Somebody coming now.

I'll tell you somebody was a -coming. Well, they wasn't coming till I seen

coming, you knothead.

Let's keep the herd here.

I'll go see if I can make a deal for some water.

Hell's fire.

There's a whole herd of cattle out there.

Oh, you're ailing in the head.

Is that your rider coming this way?

I ain't talking about the rider. I'm talking about them back up in there.

You just can't see that far.

Howdy.

Good day to you.

Depends on how the day goes.

Well, I got a herd of thirsty cattle here.

Last time I was by this way, there wasn't nobody living here.

You all considering this private land now?

Sure do. We dug down the waves and got us double the flow. That gives us the

right to charge for our water.

Well, there ain't disputing that.

I got a herd here. I'm going to have to water them for three, four a day, maybe

a week.

Or they can go on.

How much are you aiming at paying for our water?

Well, how much are you charged by the day?

Three dollars a head.

Three dollars a head?

A car ain't worth no more than two dollars you're giving me to market.

Well, how'd I know that? We ain't never had no cattle passing this way.

Well, I'm a -figging on charging you 20 cents a head.

Well, now, that's more like it. 20 cents a head's a fair price.

I'm a little short on cash, though.

Would you mind if I paid you off in beef?

What are we going to do with beef out here?

Well, I'll tell you what, with all this water here, they wouldn't stray far.

They'd just graze and come on back. You'd have meat any time, even through

times. You've got a pretty good idea, mister.

I told you that five years ago.

Would you mind if I named the price I can afford?

For watering the herd here, we'll pay you three head for every day of

How many head of cattle you got?

Well, we started with a couple hundred. We're down to around 150 head now.

Well, it'll cost you five head a day for that many cattle watering.

Except we can't water 150 head of cattle a day.

Sure we can.

How do you know?

You already said there ain't been no cattle through here before.

Heck, they'll drink up all our water.

No. No, mister.

Mister what?

McCahan's the name. Seb McCahan.

It ain't a big water hole we got here.

McCahan.

You any kin to them McCahan outlaws we've been hearing about down in Las

Wade? What are you talking about, outlaws?

Well, this brake wagon man just passed here yesterday.

He said there's a big manhunt going on down Rio Grande way.

They've been to hunt two fellas by the name of Lyle and Zeb.

Oh, that is Luke and Josh.

You ain't got the memory of a last year's bird nest.

You any kin to them?

Them two would be my nephews.

Now, look, I'd like you fellas to leave my drovers keep the herd here till I get

back. Whatever price you want to agree on to the cattle, whatever you think is

fair, it's all right with me.

Whatever we think is fair, I got to trust you.

Can't go wrong on that agreement.

Trusting fella, ain't he?

He's a smart fella. He knowed we wasn't going to cheat him.

You want to finish that check again?

Or you want to start complaining how much time I take to make a move?

That ain't the time you take.

It's the sleeping you do before you make a move.

My dang hair could turn gray in that length of time.

I don't like to leave the herd, but I gotta head back and see what's going on

with my nephews.

How long we wait here?

I should be back in a week or so.

Now you're just gonna be watering them and resting them.

I'm leaving you in full charge, one wolf.

Still coming on.

Looks like there's only four of them. The others must have give it up.

Ah, come on, Josh. Get it off your mind, will you? Just forget about it.

Can't forget about it.

Josh, he accused you of hurting her.

Maybe something happened to me when I drank that wine.

Yeah, yeah, something happened to you, all right. You passed out and little old

Miss Innocent went into her act. Look, I just don't want to talk about it, okay?

Right now there, brother, is our problem.

I don't know where Stillman and Grayson got those two, but they sure know how to

pick up sign.

I thought you men knew your business.

Well, what is it? They couldn't have got this far ahead of us.

Well?

Lester Stillman.

These boys we're following are about as expert at backtracking and covering

their signs as any we've run across.

You mean to tell me we've lost the trail?

No, they passed this way mid -morning.

They're on tired horses, but they managed to ride them up them slopes.

Get up there till dark.

Well, the only other choice is skirting the mountain.

That'll be a 30 -mile ride ahead of us.

Yeah, and from up there, they'd spot us and take off in the opposite direction.

Well, I suggest that we set up camp right here.

They do, and they'll beat us for sure.

No, I don't think that they will.

Give anything for a home -cooked meal.

Roof over my head and more than an hour's sleep.

Yeah, well, it ain't likely that we'll lose that bunch.

What's going on?

Are they resting for the night?

I sure hope so.

The way they've been dogging us, it don't make sense. They're wasting their

daylight time.

There's got to be an hour or two of daylight left.

Maybe they're wearing down.

Not like the others that went back.

Maybe.

I'd sure have to wait till morning to risk coming up these slopes.

How far ahead of that town you talked about?

It's on the flats on the other side of that mountain.

You think we can make it in the dark?

I'm risking a horse breaking a leg, so do some praying along the way.

Where'd you pick up that trick, Grace?

Holding on a rustler.

Figured I'd be as tired as he was.

What happened?

Gave him a decent burial.

Luke, I think I can sleep for a week. We're going to have to settle for about

six hours.

Buenas noches, amigo.

Muy buenas noches, señores.

Who could it be?

Agua de Camilo Los Caballos. Si, señor. Con mucho gusto.

I didn't know you spoke Mexican.

Just enough to get along. I hid out about a year in Sonora.

Hey, senor.

How much you pay for taking care of horses?

I don't know. Just how much are you going to charge?

Five dollars a horse.

For one night?

I better settle this with a man.

My grandfather leaves the business dealings to me.

Just what is your business, thievery?

For those who are being followed, five dollars is a cheap price.

Who says we're being followed?

Yeah. Dusty gringos are much older to cross -border.

They do not quarrel about price.

I predict this boy's going to end up owning the whole town.

I think maybe he already does.

Well, I bet Aunt Molly'd never guess the way her money's being spent.

Say, is there any chance we can get some food over in that cantina and possibly

a couple beds for the night?

It is my family's cantina.

Tell me if it's Rosita.

I said meals are a doll for you.

The place to sleep, I will arrange later.

Later? For those who have been followed, there are safe places to sleep.

And places not so safe.

I will see you at the cantina. My name is Manuel.

Well, Manuel, I predict a bright and prosperous future for you.

Thank you, senor.

Come on, don't sleep. Eat.

I'm too tired to eat, Luke.

You eat anyway.

We're riding all through the day tomorrow and we're not stopping except

of the horses.

Josh, I think we're going to have to... We're going to have to split up and go

separate ways.

It can be the smartest thing to do.

It's me there after, not you.

Leave you to ride alone?

Those men keep coming. I'm riding with you. Josh, I can travel faster by

You just stay in that.

Look.

It'll help me a lot if you just head on north tomorrow.

I'll make plenty of signs so that they follow me.

Believe me.

It'll be a load off my mind if I know that you're safe and on your way home.

But where will you be going?

wide swing into Sonora.

You know, I told you I hit out before.

Uh -huh.

I got some friends near a place called Carbo Torres.

They'll take care of me till all this blows over.

How do you like my sister's cooking?

Good.

Real good, Manuel.

Hey, you mentioned something about a safe place to sleep.

You up, Banks?

Ruffler?

No. You know, nothing like that.

What do you want it for?

Strangling a kid who asks too many questions.

Because they like you, the safe place to sleep will be very cheap.

I'm afraid to ask the price.

Barred windows.

Looks more like a jail than a house. Uh -huh. The windows are barred so that

people cannot enter.

The door has lock only on the inside.

Senores, you do not trust me?

I guess we'll have to.

How long have you been in town, Senores?

Just one night.

How much, Manuel?

A very big place to stay.

I am forced to ask.

Ten dollars.

It's a good thing we're not settling into the summer.

But I have many unmarried sisters.

An old aunt and a grandfather.

Much responsibility.

Oh, I could trust you. But I like you.

So there's a special rate if you come back again.

Well, first thing in the morning we'll head up into the Arroyos.

Yeah. You're right about the first thing tonight.

What, sir? Two Americans ride up here during the night?

I don't know, sir.

Have you seen two Americans arrive here during the night?

No, sir.

You sure understand your own language.

Now on to the masses, old man. Start talking. Keep them alone.

Their horses are back here.

Hey, amigo.

You like to push your men around?

You mind your tongue, boy.

You talk like stupid gringos.

It's not far wrong.

It's a lot further if you have some decent manners.

Those two gringos, they're our allies, yes?

Yes. There's a reward out for them.

See you get a share if you tell us where they're at now.

How much you pay now?

On account.

You stop your monkey jabbering and tell us where they are.

Some gringos are more gringos than others.

There's a thing at a hotel, other side of town.

You take the back street to the last building on the left.

There's a big sign on the hotel.

The sign says, it is a hotel.

Son.

Son, I've passed this way before and there's no hotel with the sign that says

hotel on it.

The last building in the east end of town is a burned out Hacienda.

In that small house a couple hundred yards back at the cantina.

Used to be reserved for travelers.

Is that where they're at?

I don't know such place.

Luke McCann, you and your brother got ten seconds to open that door.

They couldn't have ridden from the other side of that mountain to hear us make

fun of them. They'd have to ride all night long. That's exactly what they

They outfoxed us with those cooking fires they left burning.

McCann, we know you're in there.

You got five seconds.

Luke, if we give up Josh, it's going to be a hanging party.

Go out shooting.

Josh, the most we're going to do is take one or two with us, but we still don't

got a chance.

How much do we owe you, Manuel?

How much you got left?

Not much, but name it. We'll see what we can do.

Too bad you didn't want to bank.

Someday you'll come back and pay double.

Thanks, Manuel.

Damages.

Crawled halfway through that tunnel. I ought to pin your ears to a bench post.

Son, I'd like to save some time picking up that trail.

I'm guessing $20 would buy the direction they took.

Money is nice.

But I think there are some things one should not do for money.

Amigo, those two gringos, they do very bad things.

The older one did.

Well, maybe it was a mistake, and he is sorry.

Some people call me bad, and I think I make mistakes, and I don't feel like I'm

bad.

I just don't like the idea of leaving you to ride alone, Luke.

We don't have any choice, Josh.

Just head up along them rocks and stay in the riverbeds. There'll be no reason

for them to follow you.

Say hello to Aunt Molly and the girls for me, all right?

Do that, Luke.

Have you seen him?

Have you seen him?

I won't need to answer this right away, Peter.

But thanks for hustling it over.

You the town marshal?

What can I do for you?

Name's McCahan, Zeb McCahan.

I'd like to ask you a couple questions if you got a minute.

Yeah, I heard, uh... What kind of a distant relative are those two on the

Their uncle, don't figure that too distant.

I got the latest on him right here.

Those nephews of yours appear to be taught real good how to backtrack a

Signed Stillman.

He in charge of this posse?

He was duly deputized.

And so were the others with him.

It says here, McKay and Hens still traveling together across Rio east of

Carazal. Yeah, they're leading that posse of Mary Chase.

I understood Josh was hurt the night he left town.

Any word on how him and Luke is doing?

Well, they were sighted at times healthy enough for hard riding.

How many in that posse?

Started out with a dozen or so.

Locals couldn't keep up with Stillman, Frank Grayson, and two others. This

Grayson, his brother and Luke rode together in an outlaw gang one time.

Luke never rode in no outlaw gang, mister.

took Judge Renson's place.

Zachary Knight was appointed circuit judge just last Monday.

Oh, no, no, I'm in agreement with you there.

All my instincts tell me that Luke got to the house after the judge was dead.

But it must be clear to you that Luke fleeing the scene is legitimately being

sought for suspicion of murder.

I'll tell you what's clear to me, Judge, and that is that Luke figured him and

Josh and either one could get a square deal in this town. Now, you hold on.

Judge Renson and I both handled the extradition matter.

And neither one of us was swallowing any half -twos from Stillman.

Now, the whole problem is that Luke took the law in his own hands by breaking

jail.

And I took the law out of our hands.

Now, I don't care how innocent or how wrong the man is.

He's somehow got to have faith that the law is going to give him his day in

court.

Just a whole lot of fancy words, Judge, don't mean nothing in this case. The

facts are that this Stillman wanted Luke hurt in the worst way.

Anything that's happened to Luke in this town is Stillman's doing.

It wasn't Stillman who arranged for Luke to break jail.

He didn't arrange for Luke to steal horses, flee the territory, take his

with him.

And incidentally, stealing horses, you'll have to admit, is becoming a

with Luke.

Who was it put out them wanted posters on my nephews?

Me? It was routine. I ordered them circulated.

And you claim you're on their side, a friend of theirs? When putting out a

wanted poster like that means they're fair game for anybody who wants to take

shot at them?

Now, I understand you becoming emotional about this.

But that boy Luke had Judge Renson on his side, he had me on his side.

When he broke jail and took his brother with him, I lost interest in extending

him any preferential treatment.

That gal, Doreen.

You claim you figured she was telling the truth?

Well, I didn't say that. I said I took her testimony and found nothing

contradictory.

The, uh, club opens at noon, big fella.

I listed in the club, ma 'am, looking for a girl named Doreen.

Told she lives here.

She does.

Did you make... Arranged with her about seeing her?

Wanted to talk to her about a business matter.

Been a long weekend.

Just about everybody inside is asleep at this time.

You, uh, you think maybe this would buy me about ten minutes with her?

Doreen.

Doreen?

Claire, is that you?

The gentleman says he has to talk business with you.

What's his name?

I don't know.

Does it matter?

Have breakfast sent in for the gentleman.

All right.

We, uh, have a mutual friend?

Ain't a manner of speaking, young lady.

My name's Zebulon McCahan.

Now, you and me, young lady, we got some talking to do about my nephew, Josh.

I've got nothing to say to you.

Oh, you got something to say, all right. Now, I want to know everything that

happened in this room that night.

I want to know what he said, what he did, and what he was drinking.

He said nothing, got drunk, and abused me.

Now, you're getting off to a bad start right there, young lady.

Because I happen to know Josh pretty good.

When you start telling me something about him that I know couldn't be true,

next statement's liable to be in front of the judge.

You could get in plenty of trouble if I screamed.

You're getting a whole lot worse.

Now, I asked you what he was drinking.

I'm not going to talk about that night anymore.

All right, then let's talk about what it is you're afraid of.

I'm not going to change my story, Mr. McCahan.

Bad things would happen to me if I talked.

Who are you afraid of?

That he'd hurt me if I said anything as a lesson to the other girls.

He'd hurt me bad, that's all I'm saying.

Who's he?

In case you didn't know it, young lady, you're afraid of the wrong man.