Original subtitles

Mr. Burton? Yes.

Dave Stafford. Well, come in, Stafford.

I've been Expecting you.

And you're everything I expected.

And may I say, sir, that I am partial to wealthy men

like yourself?

I wrote you about my situation.

Do you think you can help?

I've sold everything from watered stock to gold bricks.

In this case, Mr. Stafford, you're

going to have to sell yourself to a whole town called

North Fork.

All you said in your letter was that the railroad

was putting in a spur.

That's correct.

It's either coming here or to North Fork.

Your job will be to see that it doesn't go to North Fork.

Uh-huh.

By ingratiating myself with the townspeople?

That's the general idea.

I'd prefer you didn't use your gun.

But if necessary.

Thank you.

Come spring, the town council of North Fork

will choose someone to go talk to the railroad

people for them.

I'd like that someone to be you.

Mr. Britton, the people of North Fork just

got themselves a representative.

Snow's all gone.

Yeah, sure is a favoring wind.

Due east.

You've got a good wind finger, Mark.

But what does due east mean?

Spring rain's coming on?

That's right.

There is a new storm brewing.

You sure know a lot about a lot of things.

You will too, son, when you get to be an old man like me.

Morning, Mark, Lucas. Morning, Dave.

Hi, Mr. Stafford.

Hi.

Buy yourself ranch yet?

I haven't found the right parcel yet.

You know, when you're planning on settling in a town,

buying yourself a spread's a pretty

important decision to make.

Bet I must have talked to most everybody

here in North Fork about it.

Care for a cup of coffee?

You just read my mind.

People around here don't usually

warm up to strangers, Dave, but they sure

have taken a liking to you.

I like people.

People like me.

It's sort of catching, I guess.

You know, Lucas, I got a lot of faith in this town.

And that railway spur should really

boom our cattle shipments.

Well, I wish I could be as sure of its coming

here as you are.

When you get to Yuma, you'll convince

those railroad men that we should get the spur

instead of Center City.

Now, hold on now, Mark.

The council won't decide that till tomorrow.

Anyway, I think Dave here is the best choice.

He already knows some of those railroad people.

Well, if they do send me, I'll want the benefit

of your thoughts, Lucas.

We're all interested in what's best for North Fork.

You bet, Mr. Stafford.

Best for North Fork and worst for Center City.

After due consideration, we've decided that our interests can

best be served by a man who's already

got his stake planted here in North Fork, Lucas McCain.

You're going to Yuma, Pa!

Congratulations, Lucas.

Thanks, John.

Dave, you were our second choice.

We carefully weighed your previous dealings

with the railroad people.

I'm just sorry we haven't known you as long as we have Lucas.

That's all right, John.

I understand.

I'm sorry, Dave.

There's nothing to be sorry about.

You should be happy that the townsfolk

have so much faith in you.

Thanks.

We're all with you, Lucas.

Here, you'll need these surveys when you get to Yuma.

Take good care of 'em, huh?

I will.

Well, let's see.

Pa?

Huh?

When we get that railroad spur here

in North Fork, that'll mean that you'll ship

your cattle by train, won't it?

Yes, why?

Well, then I can go with you.

I haven't been on a train since I was a kid.

That's a long time ago, isn't it?

You probably can't remember that far back.

You know, son, we don't have the spur yet.

I'm gonna have to do an awful lot

of selling to bring it here.

And if I do, it'll still take a long time to build.

Lucas, how about some coffee to celebrate?

Fine.

And some sarsaparilla for Mark.

Oh boy!

I'll call.

Three aces and a pair for it.

This just isn't your day, Dave.

I'd change the spots on 'em if they aren't there.

Same game, gentlemen.

Where are you planning to buy your livestock, Dave?

Well, I saw some good stock down in Texas

I could have for a price.

Soon as I close the deal on my ranch,

I'll have 'em shipped in.

Excuse me, Marshal.

I'm a lawyer, Marcus Trimble.

I just got off the stage from Santa Fe.

I'm Micah Torrance.

This is our banker, John Hamilton.

What can we do for you, Mr. Trimble?

Well, gentlemen, a few weeks ago.

I was sitting in the hotel at Santa Fe

when Wade Joyner was shot.

Oh, one thing about outlaws shooting each other,

it saves our marshals a lot of work.

Well, Joyner was practically gunned in my lap.

He paid me to take his last will and testament.

This is it.

Most guns don't have time to leave a will.

Well, Joyner left $500.

Now, I have to be sure that it's delivered to the rightful heir.

You mean he left money to someone here in North Fork?

All $500.

And I had some trouble locating the man

mentioned here in the will.

It's a man named Lucas McCain.

Lucas McCain?

Let me see that.

Well, now, gentlemen, I am a stickler for detail.

There were four witnesses who heard

every word that Joyner said.

They're all reputable citizens.

Their signatures are right there.

Of course, you may check the document if you care to,

but I assure you it's bona fide through and through.

Little guy in the other room really

dropped some news just now.

Like what, Phil?

Wade Joyner left Lucas McCain 500 bucks.

Wade Joyner, the train robber?

Same guy.

Lucas McCain?

Why would he leave him money.

Are you sure?

Absolutely.

The will's plastered with signatures.

Lucas McCain.

Just shows you you can never tell about people.

I hope this news doesn't get back to Yuma.

What do you mean?

Wade Joyner held up a lot of trains in his time.

Yeah, that's right.

That's not gonna help Lucas to sell the rail spiur. Spur.

That's for sure.

Deal me out.

I'm gonna talk to Hamilton and Micah.

You think you should?

Why, I sure do.

I got a lot of cattle.

I'm not sure Lucas is the man to send to Yuma now.

I'm still showing three 10s, Dave.

Full house.

Looks like your luck is changing.

Seems so.

But Pa, Wade Joyner must have known you.

It don't make sense, a man leaving money

to somebody he don't know.

Look, if we knew each other, Mark, don't you

think I'd remember him?

Well, sure, Pa, but you could have...

There's not buts about it, Mark.

I never knew Wade Joyner.

Well, then why'd he leave you all his money?

That's what we're in town for, to find out.

Well, one thing, Pa.

You're always saying how we're short on cash.

I guess we can sure use $500.

Mark, money is nothing but paper and green ink.

The thing that gives it value is how it's earned.

Now, an outlaw's money is never earned.

It's not the kind we want.

Want me to go get Micah?

Yeah, son.

You do that.

I'll be over at Mr. Hamilton's.

Drink up, McCain.

No thanks.

In memory of our old pal, Wade.

Take your bottle.

Any man good enough to ride with Wade Joyner's

good enough to drink with me.

What's the matter?

You're too good to drink our whiskey?

Here's your bottle.

Shouldn't have done that, McCain.

You dirty...

Agh!

Thanks, Dave.

Always a pleasure to employ the manly art of self-defense

on behalf of a friend.

You all right, Pa?

Sure, son.

I'm fine.

Now, you and Hank clear out, or I'll lock you both up.

Looks like your storm's coming on, Pa.

And it looks like a big one.

What was the fight all about, Lucas?

Well, they figured any friend of Joyner's was

a friend of theirs.

They gave me a hand.

Mark tells me you don't even remember meeting Joyner.

That's right, Micah.

I saw the will, Lucas.

No question about it being authentic.

You must have known Joyner some place.

Well, that's what everybody says.

But there's just one person who doesn't agree...

Me.

Hello, John.

Lucas.

What's this all about?

Well, we were hoping you could tell us, Lucas.

I gather you're Lucas McCain?

That's right.

The name's Trimble.

I'm giving you due and legal notice of your inheritance.

You may read all about it in this copy.

That finishes my business.

Good day, gentlemen.

Hold on, Mr. Trimble.

I don't know any Wade Joyner.

Neither did I, Mr. McCain.

I just happened to be unlucky enough to be

there when he died.

Well, it could be a mistake.

Maybe there's another Lucas McCain.

Is your name "Mark," son?

Yes, sir.

It's all there, Mr. McCain.

Joyner mentioned you had a boy, Mark.

There's no mistake.

Now, I'll see that the money is sent

to you by a separate packet.

Once again, gentlemen, good day.

We... we believe you, Lucas!

We're your friends.

But those eastern railroad men who don't know you from Adam,

Oh, men like that believe what's in black and white.

What are you trying to say, Toomey?

Well, I talked to Micah, and he discussed it with John,

and I took a vote from some of the others, and...

Well, go on.

Well, maybe we ought to send somebody else to Yuma.

You mean because a man I don't know

left me some money I don't want, suddenly

I'm a different person?

Now, hold on, Lucas.

They're thinking with their pocketbooks.

You can't blame 'em for that.

These railroad men'll think you run with Wade

Joyner, his leaving you money!

Rode with Wade Joyner?

I never laid eyes on him!

Now, business is business, Lucas.

It's nothing personal!

Nothing personal?

It's my reputation and my boy's!

Lucas, Lucas.

It might be easier for someone else to talk to them.

That's all.

Come on, Mark.

Let's leave these decent folks to their important business.

Well, John, he's the logical one to go now.

I suppose you're right.

Oh no.

I... I'd feel like a Judas, taking over.

You're not betraying anyone, Dave.

You're helping North Fork!

I guess I can't say no to that.

You'll do fine, Dave.

Lucas and Wade Joyner, I still find it hard to believe.

Lucas is an honorable man, John.

What we're doing isn't right, but I don't know any other way.

You better get to bed, Mark.

Do I have to get to bed so soon, Pa?

Look, if the trail hadn't washed out,

you'd be home in your own bed and fast asleep by now.

This is no holiday, son.

You can hardly keep your eyes open.

Why does the rain always sound so good?

That's because you're so warm under those covers.

Pa?

What, Mark?

You know something?

Wade Joyner said he knew me, but I don't remember him.

Well, maybe it was a long time ago,

and you were too little to remember.

Well, you were never too little to remember.

No, that's right, son.

Maybe I'm fighting this thing too hard.

Instead of saying it never happened,

I might be better off trying to figure out when it did.

Well, you'll remember, Pa.

Well, could have been a long time ago.

Could have been using another name.

Fellas comes in, says his name is

Smith, maybe Brown, or maybe...

Could really be?

My room's just across the hall.

I'd like to talk with you a bit, Lucas.

I don't know what good talking is gonna do.

You know, fate has a way of stepping

in and changing things, but it shouldn't change friendship.

I didn't ask to go to Yuma, but I can hardly back out now.

I'd hope that North Fork could have been 100% behind me

in this, and you're an important part of North Fork.

You've got my support, Dave.

Thanks.

Oh, I'll need those survey maps.

Well, they're out at the ranch.

You can get 'em any time.

Well, a few years back, I was in Jackson

Hole on a night like this.

Rain, rained enough Noah could have launched his ark.

Then, next morning, it was clear as a bell.

I used to live near desert flats.

We'd wait three years for a rain like this.

I remember once, right after my wife died,

biggest rain you ever saw.

Mark had a cold.

It wasn't much, but you know how it

is, me being alone with the boy for the first time.

I was worried.

Yeah, it's tough being alone at a time like that.

Well, I wasn't really.

Fella come along, half-drowned, needed a night's rest.

But he didn't get much.

I'm not a talking man, Dave, but that night,

sitting up with Mark, I really bent his ear.

Like I'm bending yours now.

I told that stranger most everything about us.

Someday I had plans for settling in these parts, what kind

of a ranch I wanted, my hopes for the boy,

how a good part of a man's dream depends on hard cash.

Hard cash.

What?

He talked about how he never had any dreams of his own

beyond tomorrow, how he liked to listen to mine.

I... I don't follow you.

He said some day I'd get the cash.

Dave, Wade Joyner meant what he said.

It's an awful storm.

You go to sleep now, Mark.

I think everything's gonna be all right.

Good Night, Lucas.

Good night, Dave.

You know something, John, if Lucas could back up that story

of his with some proof, I still feel the right thing to do

is send him to Yuma.

Good morning, gentlemen.

Good morning, Dave.

Since I'll be leaving in the morning

to talk to the railroad people, I thought we'd better

discuss the final details.

What I said just now about Lucas,

I mean, we all believe his story,

but if we could afford to send him instead of you,

that'd be the best way to let him know we back him up.

You both know my position.

I wish we could afford to send him.

Good day, gentlemen.

I just thought I'd stop by and introduce myself.

Name is Samuel Britton.

I'm John Hamilton

How do you do?

I'm staying overnight to catch the stage

to Yuma tomorrow morning.

I'm Center City's representative.

Micah Torrance and our representative Dave Stafford.

How do you do?

Well, this is indeed a pleasure.

I thought I was to share the stage

to Yuma with a Mr. McCain.

Oh, do you mean this inheritance?

Britton, We here in North Fork feel

that the location of the spur should

be settled on its own merits, without complicating

side issues.

In short, may the better town win.

I'm sure it will.

Good day, gentlemen.

Well, here are the survey maps, Dave.

They're all in order.

Thanks.

Oh, this may not be any consolation to you,

but I got a sample in town just now about what you'd

have been up against in Yuma.

How's that?

Fella named Britton, Center City's representative.

He had his hooks out for you, just waiting to get at you.

Knew all about your inheritance.

And I don't suppose he'd have spared those railroad

people any of the details.

No, you'd have been fighting two battles in Yuma, Lucas.

Well, I'm glad you're going, Dave.

It's just noon.

You're supposed to be in school.

Well, I stopped by Hattie's at lunch time to get the mail.

This came for you.

It's gotta be the money.

Yeah, so you're playing hooky?

Well, I never seen $500 before.

And you're not gonna see it now either.

Back to school, boy.

Oh, but Pa!

Getting an education in your head is more important.

Well, just one quick look.

All right, just a quick look.

Wow!

Now, you've had your look.

Mark just brought me Wade Joyner's money.

And this was inside.

Listen.

"We only met that one night in a storm,

but I never met anyone before or since that made more sense.

Here's some cash for your dream."

Signed "Wade Joyner."

Surprised, Dave?

Well, yes.

It's wonderful news, Lucas.

Well, a lot of people will be surprised when they read this.

I'd better tell Mike and Hamilton

and the rest of the council.

And wait till I see that Mr. Britton you mentioned.

Well, isn't it a little late to make any changes?

No, it's not too late.

The stage doesn't leave till tomorrow.

Come on.

Let's ride into town.

Wait a minute, Lucas.

What I mean is, let's think about this.

Actually, who is the best one to go to Yuma, you or me?

Now, wait a minute, Dave.

You seem mighty anxious about this.

Well, I didn't mean that.

I was merely thinking about what would be best for North Fork.

Let's let North Fork decide that.

I wouldn't do that if I were you, Dave.

I've got enough firepower here to cut you in half.

One thing about me, Lucas, I'm a reasonable man.

There's not enough money in the world to make it worthwhile

having my head blown off.

Who's been making it worth your while?

Railroad spur means a lot of money to a man like Britton.

Britton, huh?

You talk too much, Dave.

If you were gonna shoot me, you should have done it as

soon as I read you that letter.

That's my weakness, Lucas.

I'm better at using conversation as a weapon than a gun.

Morning, Mr. Britton. All set for your trip?

I had a good night's sleep. Thank you, Marshal.

That's fine. I'm sure you're gonna need it.

McCain's the name.

Step right in, Mr. Britton.

Are you going to Yuma, Mr. McCain?

That's just where I'm going, Mr. Britton.

Mr. Stafford couldn't make it.

He had a previous engagement.

I'm sure Mr. Stafford's activities

are of no interest to me.

We're all sure of that, Mr. Britton.

Bye, Pa. Bye, son.

Don't forget to do what Micah tells you.

Yah!

Have a good trip, Lucas.

I'm gonna enjoy it just fine, Micah.

Just fine.