Original subtitles

[rapid gunfire]

NARRATOR: The Rifleman.

Starring Chuck Connors.

[man shouting]

[shouting]

[shouting]

[speaking spanish]

Hello.

What you are observing is a private matter

being settled in a private way.

What did he do?

One does not take the wine without permission.

Even when one is thirsty.

[screaming]

No--

[screaming]

All he did was steal a little bit of wine?

Patron's personal French wine.

Now, I advise you to leave here.

Pronto!

Yes, sir.

[screaming]

[inaudible].

Enough.

Put him back on his horse.

[speaking french]

We must arrive while there's still light enough,

so that we make a proper impression on the good citizens

of the city of North Fork.

Well, it looks like they're coming our way, son.

I tell ya, Pa, I've never seen anything like it.

The way that-- fat little man was looking at--

All right, Mark.

You just keep on working.

Like the man said, it was a private matter.

We'll just act natural, and hope they keep moving.

Bonjour, monsieur.

Good day.

I am Cesar Tiffauges of New Orleans.

You have, perhaps, heard of me?

No, we've never been that far east.

No?

Well, this, at least, is more comfortable

than to be known too much.

Schuette?

Oui, monsieur.

Much more comfortable.

Yeah.

It's better, anyway, as Texas.

These ranchers-- ha!

All they can tell us is move along, move along.

Shake along!

Xavier.

[speaking french] Ah-- you have not yet introduced yourself.

The name's Lucas McCain.

This is my boy, Mark.

[speaking french]

You really crossed the whole state of Texas in this rig?

And why not?

You must have got stuck in 50 sand pockets.

Monsieur-- I have stuck in 150 sand pockets.

It was no problem.

These fellows of mine, they have ropes on their saddles.

So I make them harness themselves, and I--

I said here, I take a whip-- give me the whip.

Give me the whip!

And I call on them.

[shouting]

Animal.

What did you say, Xavier?

Nothing, sir.

Nothing?

Nothing?

What?

Don't interfere, monsieur.

Just keep the whip in its place

while you're on my property.

But monsieur, you do not understand.

[speaking french] It's all in fun.

Xavier?

Yes.

Si.

Hear all that?

Now, monsieur, um-- with your kindness,

we look for a city called North Fork.

Go on churning the butter, Mark, before it gets too thick.

Well, I'm afraid North Fork isn't much of a town.

Yes, yes, we know.

No matter.

Perhaps you'd be so kind enough to show us the way?

You go up over that rise, turn right,

and you'll come to a road.

The sign there will show you the way.

Very nice little place you have here, McCain.

We like it.

All 4,100 acres.

So much?

Imagine that, [speaking french] McCain here is a big landowner.

[spitting] Most convenient here.

Oui, monsieur.

Most convenient.

Careful, my friend.

You'll blister your trigger finger.

Oh!

It's nothing, senor.

Maybe I take this place off your hands, huh?

I wish to retire to the wild life

of this part of the country.

It's not for sale.

You hear that, you fellas?

The McCain Estate is not on the market.

Monsieur McCain, the boss owns 25 blocks

of New Orleans waterfront.

That was not for sale, either.

At least, not at the time.

I've been meaning to ask--

just what was it the Texas Rangers had on you?

Monsieur, please do observe these carriage lamps.

Sterling silver.

Do I have to answer questions to some petty rancher with manure

on his boots? - No, no, monsieur.

We will talk to him.

No, no. No sweat.

He and I will discuss it again tomorrow.

You'll be in town tomorrow, monsieur?

I'll be there, mister.

To pick up supplies.

Good.

Then we have an appointment.

Don't forget.

I'm going to be real busy, so don't count on it.

[speaking french]

Amigo, try not to be too busy.

It is nice to be congenial to the patron.

You'll learn this pretty soon, I think.

You like being horsewhipped?

Yankee, I tell you something for your own good.

To be horsewhipped by Senor Tiffauges is a privilege.

It's an honor!

Xavier.

You're too much of a man to mean that.

Pa?

How come you let Tiffauges talk to you like that?

Now look, son--

I am a small rancher, I have got manure on my boots,

and south of the border I'm a Yankee.

You want me to start gun trouble with an army like that?

Well, gosh, no, Pa.

It's time you were getting cleaned up for dinner.

We'll eat early so you can get a good rest.

We'll be having a full day tomorrow.

All right, Pa.

You coming?

In a minute, son.

Enough, sir. Enough.

No more. - Oh, no, no, monsieur.

Have no apprehensions.

A nice little white.

I always travel with a dozen or so

cases for my special friends.

For others, the local ought to be sufficient.

Yes, monsieur I-- always try to bring a little culture

and civilization wherever I go.

Here comes your rancher.

Marshal?

That farmer on the wagon--

I wish to speak to him.

- Lucas McCain? - Mm.

Well, sir, I'll be right glad to tell him.

Only he might--

Whether he'll be glad or not, be so kind to bring him here.

I'll see what I can do.

This really tastes different from anything I ever ate.

Monsieur, after I buy my property,

you'll be my guest to enjoy many such delicacies.

Thank you very much.

Patron?

Oh, you wish to say something, Xavier?

Jefe, there are many other ranches all around here.

Twice as bigger.

Twice as better.

Mm.

It is a strange thing with me, mon ami.

Always I desire the one that is--

not for sale.

My time's not altogether my own, so if you'll excuse me?

Oh, yes.

Yes, of course.

I'll be seeing you, monsieur the banker.

[hiccup] Oh.

He wants to see ya.

I know he does.

I never seen anything like it.

He's got a whole town crawling to him.

First thing last night, he deposited

85,000 gold in the bank.

Here's your nickel.

Go buy your sucker sticks.

Thanks, Pa.

Micah, how does a man get his hooks into $85,000 gold?

Here's a bulletin come in on the morning.

Stage.

A warning to all stops, and the Texas Rangers.

This, uh-- Tiffauges is the king of organized vice

for the whole New Orleans area.

And now he wants to retire in North Fork.

Yeah, he stopped at my on the way in yesterday.

Wants to take it off my hands.

I, uh-- I think I'll go out and try

to deputize a few of the boys.

You wait here for me, Lucas.

No, I'll go out and talk to him.

They're all cutthroats, every one of them.

It's not a one man proposition.

I know, but I don't want to start a small war in the middle

of town over what right now is a personal affair between me

and him.

But Lucas, sometimes these can--

Look, Pa.

Five for the big penny size.

Orange, lemon, wintergreen, licorice, and peppermint.

Later, son.

Here he comes, monsieur.

I hear he's pretty fast with that gun he carries.

Por dios, he carries it as if it was part of his hand.

You lose now your nerve, huh?

Patron, if it were possible for Xavier Escobar to fear any

one man, you would not for two minutes keep

him in your [inaudible], huh?

[speaking french]

Xavier, never forget to be afraid of me.

No, Jefe.

Xavier.

Sit down.

Sit down.

Have a drink.

No, thank you.

But monsieur-- we Creoles of Louisiana are very friendly,

but proud people.

If then, before my entourage, you

refuse my offer of a small refreshment,

what am I to think?

Go load the wagon, Mark.

I'll be there in a few minutes.

All right, I'll have just one.

So far, one is all I have offered.

McCain, I understand you are famous for your skill

with that weapon.

I can shoot.

My Xavier here shoots, also.

It will be interesting to see how you make

out against each other, huh?

A simply friendly [french].

Let me see, now.

Ah-- there.

On the stable roof.

Which of you first can spin the weather cock?

Well, I'm not much for shooting matches.

I'll concede to Xavier there.

Aw, come, come, Monsieur McCain.

No, you shouldn't be so modest.

Why, Xavier here was bragging for you.

Saying how quick you were.

Here, both of you. Shoot!

[gunshot]

[speaking french], friend.

Or perhaps this rifle of yours is just--

just for show, huh?

Or perhaps my friend Xavier here lies about your abilities?

I do not like liars!

We will try again.

[gunshot]

Bravo.

Bravo! Beautiful.

[speaking french] Just as I hoped.

Bravo!

Well, then, McCain, I know what you paid for your ranch.

I offer you the same money, exactly.

Unless, of course, 50% percent for wear and tear.

I'm sorry.

It's not for sale.

I saved a long time to buy that place,

and I intend to bring up my boy there.

Xavier?

Knife.

Have you ever seen a woman die, my friend?

Well, then you're aware that there's something--

something, shall I say--

special about the death of any woman, hm?

Something very special, Mr. Tiffauges.

Why do you think I'm here, McCain?

By the persecutions of my enemies.

Reformers and hypocrites.

Why, three times their political grand juries have indicted me.

Why, last time-- last time they bribe an old woman

and two of the girls, you know, that work in her establishment.

You know what happened?

Early one morning, some unknown man with a pass key

entered the room where the three were hiding.

And when he leaves, there is no more evidence.

He shot three women, huh?

Who speaks of shooting?

Too loud.

Will you believe it, Monsieur McCain,

that my friends even say that this violent man

was Cesar Tiffauges?

Me.

Me, personal.

But, of course, I do not recount all

these horrors to distress you.

No.

Now, if now you--

you reject my fair--

and, mind you, friendly offer--

oh, [speaking french], monsieur.

I'm, of course, very sorry.

And for both of us, Monsieur McCain.

Who can predict what losses can occur to your livestock?

That your crops do not catch fire?

Your home itself burn to its foundation?

And don't forget-- you have a son.

A son, my poor friend.

You know, from now on, whenever he is not at your side,

you will be asking yourself-- what comes to him?

Where is he?

I tell you, you will get up 20 times

at night to look if he's in his bed.

You will light the lamp, McCain, to see if there is blood.

[speaking french]

Well, McCain, now what do you say to my proposition?

You're a tough trader, Mr. Tiffauges.

But wear and tear on my property--

why, I've put in two wells out there.

Built a house, a barn, a stable.

There's-- there's a mile and a quarter of grade A fencing.

I've sweated out there.

Listen carefully to me.

I shall be out there tomorrow morning at 10:00 precise.

By that hour, you will have ready for my signatures

all the necessary deeds, signed by yourself.

Understood?

When your men left New Orleans,

did they know they were going to settle

in a small town like this?

Maybe they'd prefer San Francisco?

I hear it's a great city.

A place they can have a lot of fun.

My men do not ask questions.

They do not ask anything!

They think as I tell them to think,

and they feel as I wish them to feel.

That you would not understand, anyway.

10:00 tomorrow morning, Mr. Tiffauges.

10:00, Monsieur McCain.

What do you think of him now, Xavier?

I still think he's muy macho.

How do you say it?

Much man.

Tomorrow morning over there, I'll

get his ranch on a platter.

Micah, you mentioned about deputizing some of the boys.

I did.

Well, do it, and bring 'em out to my place tomorrow

morning at 10:15 sharp.

I hope by the time you get there,

you can turn around and go home.

All right, Lucas boy.

Good luck.

Ready to go, Pa?

Ready.

Did you let him know for sure the ranch isn't up for sale?

No, I didn't, son.

But Pa!

And I'm telling you it isn't.

It's just that Tiffauges doesn't, uh--

understand too easily.

But I think he will in the morning.

Here, finish the champagne.

I go now to my room for siesta.

Call me in time for dinner.

Mark?

Yeah, Pa?

You forgot your schoolbooks.

You're a little absent-minded this morning.

I'd sure like to be here when they come.

Anything to get out of going to--

I thought you said 10:00?

It's only 8:00.

Mark, you go into town the back way,

and tell Micah to get back out here as

soon as he can with the boys.

Sure, Pa.

And then you go on to school.

You heard me.

Only don't get kept after, all right?

I want you back here to help me with the stock.

GO on, boy.

TIFFAUGES: Mr. McCain?

McCain, I'm waiting!

You're early.

I've got work to do.

We'll talk at 10:00.

No.

We'll talk now.

Mr. Tiffauges, you're a guest on my property.

And while you're here--

I dispossess you from this property, McCain,

because I am who I am, and what I am.

Among my ancestors, there was one from whom I

inherit my name and my destiny.

Who was answerable for his actions

not even to the king of France.

What am I saying?

Not to Heaven itself.

Even today he is remembered in that famous story

called "Barbe bleue."

Or as you say it in English, "Bluebeard."

You, of course, heard about it?

Sure.

He still frightens children.

But you're wasting my time, McCain.

Bring forth the papers.

I order you, for your own sake--

get the papers.

That's the thing about this part of the country.

Men come out here so they don't have to take orders.

They think the way they want, and they

feel the way they want.

Not the way some so-called ruler wants.

As a matter of fact, Tiffauges, your kind just

don't make any sense out here.

You belong back in the dark ages,

with that ancestor of yours!

And I'm telling you, most of your men agree with me.

Get the papers.

I just gave you my answer.

I offer you one more chance, McCain.

Then I give the order to have you shot.

If I thought that order would be carried out,

I wouldn't have been waiting here for you.

Shoot him!

Shoot him like the pig that he is!

Shoot him!

Shoot him!

[gunshot]

Patron!

[gunfire]

Much obliged.

It makes us--

how do you say--

even on the board, huh?

You were right, amigo.

Freedom is a precious thing.

You made me realize what I gave it up for.

After all, we see him for what he is there.

A big, fat nothing lying in the dirt.

I burned this, no?

You know, he said we'd find you here this morning when we come,

like a big bowl of jelly quivering on a platter.

He was wrong, what he said.

And I have been right, what I said.

You are muy macho.

Much man!

Thank you, Xavier.

[speaking spanish]

Xavier, I go with you.

- Ah, yes! - I play for you!

What do you say?

Ah, yes!

[shouting]

[theme music]