Original subtitles

Hey, did you have any trouble with that?

Yeah, until I found the right balance.

Maybe you wouldn't mind helping me with the rest of the stuff.

I would, but I pulled my shoulder, lifting that heavy...

Well, you could be brave and try.

I'll do my best.

Good morning, Miss Marlow.

Fine day, isn't it?

Indeed it is.

I was only this moment remarking that the only thing

that could top a day like this

would be the sight of a beautiful woman.

And you've proven my point.

You always manage to tell the type of lies that a woman loves to hear.

It's nothing.

He's had a lot of practice.

How's the shop coming?

Oh, very well, thank you.

Please, if ever--

if ever you need any assistance at all--

I'm available.

In a dress shop?

[ laughs politely ]

Friendly looking lot.

Why would they be here?

It's a labor gang.

Been out mending roads, I guess.

Hey, look over there.

That's a lot of woman!

Makes a man's hands sweat just thinking about what he could...

[ dogs barking ]

[ horse neighs ]

It's all right! All of you, sit down!

Back in your seats! You heard me! Sit down!

Get around the other side.

VIRGINIAN: Mister, give it up. You've run your string out.

Hold it!

You hit him again, we'll haul a dead man out of here!

Nothing wrong with that, mister.

Be doing everybody a good turn.

Get him out of here.

Move.

Move.

I said move.

What happens to him now?

Put him in the oven for a couple of days.

That'll sweat a few pounds of meanness out of him.

Will it change him any?

Mister, I've stood guard over Matthew Cordell for 11 years.

The only way he'd change is to get worse.

Eleven years?!

He can't be any more than 26 or 7 right now.

'Bout that.

You mean he's been in prison

since he was 15 years old?

Yeah, since about then.

And we got him from the orphanage.

Much obliged to you for your help.

That's all you got.

What do you say?

I could play these cards...

and draw five more...

and still not have anything.

Chair open. Anybody want it?

Come on. Want to try your luck?

No, not tonight.

I'm gonna run into town. You want to come in with me?

No. No, thanks.

All right. Something's been eating you all day.

What's wrong?

That prisoner we captured this morning. Yeah?

What chance do you think he had to get away?

None. He was a loser from the start.

Still, he tried. Everything against him, and he wouldn't give up.

Pretty stupid thing to do, wasn't it? He could have got killed.

That didn't seem to matter much to him.

When a man lives like those prisoners do,

anything's gonna seem better to him.

You won't change your mind and come to town with me, huh?

You go ahead. I'll see you in the morning.

All right.

How do you like him?I love him.

Got a mount as soft as a soap bubble.

He's yours now. Treat him right, and he'll do the same for you.

If you need, Bess...

Anybody who touches this horse except me is getting brained.

And the lady means it.

Judge, you're sure you don't want me to drive you to town?

I mean, you know, I kind of--

I guess not. No.

Yeah.

'Morning, Judge.

I had space cleared for that barbed wire shipment.

When do you think it'll get here?

I'll wire you the date from Colterville.

Gonna be up there very long?

Three, four days. Why?

I... I imagine you'll be seeing Warden Harris

at the prison, won't you?

Yeah. What's on your mind?

That prisoner I told you about, Matthew Cordell--

I keep wondering what a boy of 15

could have done to get himself put behind bars for 11 years.

I'll make it a point to find out.

Thanks, Judge.

GUARD: Come on, move!

[ indistinct command ]

Well, I should be grateful.

You and your committee got me almost everything I asked for.

Patience, Fred, we're starting something new.

First victory was getting you appointed warden.

You've got to crawl before you can walk.

But why? The territory appropriates more money

to improve the breed of stock

than it does to rehabilitate prison inmates.

Well, maybe they believe everyone will benefit

from a better grade of beef on the market.

The money they spend on prisoners they figure is a total loss.

A gun, a whip, a cage

never made any man any better than he was before.

At least you got the go-ahead

for setting up a parole board.

That's a step in the right direction.

Yes, it's a step. We've got so far to go!

When are you holding the first parole hearing?

Soon as I can make a list of the prisoners

I feel are entitled to one.

That isn't easy.

They show me only one face,

and that tells me very little.

What does the face of a prisoner named Cordell tell you?

Cordell? Why?

You know, my foreman helped recapture him a few days ago.

Oh, yes. I got a report on that incident.

Here's his record.

Tell you more about him than I can.

Assault, inciting a riot, attempted escape.

Attacking a guard.

Another attempted escape.

Matthew Cordell was left at the gate of an orphanage when he was a day old.

He stayed there till he was 15, then he was sent here.

Are you saying he's never been free of a state institution

his entire life?

Probably never will be.

These charges keep building up on his sentence.

The odds are 100-to-1 that he'll die in prison.

Without ever knowing what it is to be free.

The only world he knows is behind prison walls.

I release him, it'd be like letting a wild animal run loose.

Oh, how do we know that?

If he's lived like a wild animal,

isn't it because he's had to?

I mean, away from this place, given a chance, maybe...

Maybe.

That's where it stops.

He has no one. He's all alone.

And being the way he is, who would take that chance with him?

Would you?

Yes, you.

Would you take him to your place,

be responsible for him?

Just a minute, Fred. I've just inquired--

There's your answer, Judge.

It's easy to say a lot of noble words about the dignity of man,

but something else to put them into practice.

All these years I've studied Cordell.

Even with his record,

I've had the feeling that, given the opportunity,

he might change...

if he had someone to help him.

Then again, he might not.

We'll never know unless we give him that chance.

You know, if we're wrong, it means you're finished--

your career, your job, your future.

Wouldn't do you much good either.

He's in the punishment yard now.

Do you want to talk with him?

Yeah.

Let him out.

He's still got another day in there.

Now.

Zeke.

Over here.

Let your friend out of the oven.

I don't like it any better than you do.

Why don't you do away with it, Fred?

I've tried.

I intend to keep trying.

Do it. You won't be alone.

Can we... take him into your office?

Cordell, come into my office.

How do you feel?

I'll make it.

Do you want to talk now, or would you rather rest a while?

I told you I'd make it.

This is Judge Garth, Cordell.

He has some questions to ask you.

I know something about you from your record,

but I wanted to know some more.

What did you do at the orphanage to get sent up here?

The Judge made a special effort to see you, Cordell.

It might help if you cooperated.

Just could he, or anyone, do to help me, Warden?

He might help you walk out of this place.

Don't play games with me.

I'm not playing games.

Why were you sent up here?

Tried to kill someone.

Who?

A boy.

In the orphanage.

Why?

He broke a toy soldier I had.

For that, you tried to kill him?

You asked me. I answered.

You have any idea who your parents might be?

No.

But my mother was clean and neat.

They told me that she wrapped me in fresh-washed blankets

when she left me at the orphanage gate.

If you were on the outside,

what would you do to make a living?

He works with the prison stock.

There isn't a man around here who knows horses better than he does.

You think you could put that to use on a ranch?

Mister, I haven't earned the right to think.

I only do what they tell me, nothing else.

But I'll say anything, do anything, be anything

if I can get out of here.

We'll be back in Shiloh in a couple of hours.

Feel good to get home.

You know, Warden Harris had to step on a few toes

to push your parole through.

Didn't even thank him when we left.

Didn't thank him for the 11 years, either.

Could you hold up a minute?

Whoa.

Something to see, isn't it?

Yeah.

Something to see.

No walls to close it out, either.

No reason why you should ever have to go back.

You're a reason.

Oh, for one year.

After that, you'll be responsible only to yourself.

But anytime during that year,

if I sit down when you say stand,

you can send me back for the rest of my life.

Oh, I could, but...

if you act like a normal human being,

shouldn't be any problems.

And how does a normal human being act, Judge.

JUDGE GARTH: Steve!

Meet Matthew Cordell. New man.

Hi, how are you?

Can always use another hand around here.

Makes things that much easier.

You want your luggage in the house?

Yeah, please.

Hello, Judge.Well.

Glad to see you home. This paperwork is really getting me down.

Ha ha! Does the same thing to me.

Well, I know you two have met.

No need to introduce you.

One thing you might like to know,

this man is mainly responsible for you being paroled.

Welcome to Shiloh.

He's done a lot of work with stock.

You might be able to use him in the blacksmith's shop.

Sure. That all right with you?

Yeah. Anything you say.

That settles it.

You'll draw a wrangler's pay, plus bed and meals.

Anything you want to know?

No.

Get you squared away in the bunkhouse.

Cordell.

Any problems come up, let me know.

Ooh!

Oh, I am sorry.

I guess I never seem to watch where I'm going.

Betsy Garth, Matthew Cordell.

He's come to work with us.

I'm very happy to meet you.

You want to show me where to stay?

Hi, Daddy!

Well! Did you miss the old man while he was gone?

Don't I always?

This time you had a new horse to keep you busy.

You're better company.

Well, at least I didn't come in second.

You know, we got ourselves a new blacksmith today.

Matthew Cordell? I just met him. And?

And he's one of the rudest young men I've ever met in my life.

Well, you know, they don't teach them manners in prison, Betsy.

I understand that, Daddy, but--

Good, 'cause he's gonna need more than a job

and a place to sleep from us.

Careful handling, patience,

and, above all, understanding.

Aww!

BELDEN: Ease that one up there.

Whoo-ee!

STEVE: First one's all right, but that second one, I don't know about.

BELDEN: Just shoot, will ya?

Aah! Yep!Nope!

Well, now, let's see. That makes, uh...

that's 20 cents you owe me.

20 cents?That's right.

Carry me to payday?

Don't try to leave town. How about a little double or nothing?

Double or nothing? Not them stakes.

Find yourself another pigeon.

You're a real gambler. I can see that.

Hey, chick, chick, chick!

Game's open! Anybody feel lucky?

Feel lucky?

Hey, uh, how about you, Cordell?

That's an easy way to pick up 10 cents.

[ curtly ] No.

You're the real friendly type, ain't you?

Man said no.

Well, look, he's been here a week.

Now, he ain't said five words to anybody.

Now, he's about run his string out with me,

and I ain't the only one.

[ horseshoes clatter ]

Ever shoot horseshoes, partner?

Yep.

If it's a matter of money, I could stake you till payday.

Why would you want to lend me money?

Just something people do for each other.

No special reason.

That'd be a favor, wouldn't it?

In a way, I suppose it would, yeah.

And favors have to be paid back.

Less a man excepts, less he has to worry about.

Whoa.

He stepped into a chuckhole and went down.

What about you?

I'm all right, but look at his leg. It's all swollen.

It's not broken.

Then he'll be all right?

What is it?

It's a sand crack.

What is that?

He's got a split in his hoof.

Can it be fixed?

It's hard to say.

Depends on whether we can keep it from splitting any further.

And if you can't?

It looks deep, Betsy.

I'm afraid it'll spread.

I'm sorry. You'd better go on up to the house.

No.

You've been around horses all your life, Betsy.

You've seen this happen before.

You can't destroy him.

There must be another way. There has to be.

There's a chance.

A slim one.

It's up to you.

Please, please let him try.

If you think you can, go ahead.

Thank you.

I'll get one of the boys to give you a hand.

I can manage alone.

I'm going to help you.I said I can handle it.

He belongs to me. I have a right to be with him.

All right. Let's get him over to the forge.

Get it muddied down?

Soft and soggy, about six inches deep all over.

Good. You keep it that way.

Cushion his hoof while it mends.

What are you doing?

I have to bind the split, get it closed tight.

I'll have to make a bar shoe

to help pull it together.

Then, maybe in time, it'll mend.

Just like a cut on your toe would.

Is it painful for him?

Some.

The mud in the corral is help.

Hand me that rasp, will you?

You really didn't want me to help, did you?

You're here.

Why are you so afraid of making friends?

I never had any "friends." I don't know what they are.

But I do know if you stay by yourself,

you don't get into any trouble.

And I intend to keep it that way.

I let you help 'cause of what you said.

When?

About this horse being yours,

and only yours.

I know what that means to you.

I owned something once, till it was thrown away.

What?

I was in the orphanage.

Lady came by looking for a boy to adopt.

She didn't pick me,

but she gave me a tin soldier.

It's the only thing I ever owned,

till another boy came along and broke it.

Well... did he know how much that soldier meant to you?

Why do you think he did it?

How long before you can tell?

Soon.

Just keep it plenty muddy in there.

[ sighs ] I will.

Better go put my gear away.

I'll help.No.

No need. You-- you go on back to the house.

Matthew.

No matter how this turns out,

thank you.

You going with us?

To town? Yeah.

I don't think so.

Anybody ask Cordell?

Yeah. I asked him.

But he don't want to. Not the friendly type, I guess.

Some of the fellows are going into town. Why don't you join 'em?

No, thanks.

If it's a question of money, I told you before--

And I told you, I don't want any favors.

You won't have to pay 'em back.

You're not in prison now, Cordell.

You have any complaints about my work?

No, but-- I've been living according to the rules.

Haven't broken any, have I?

And my off time is mine to do just as I please.

There's no law that says otherwise.

No, there's no law.

Well, then, mister, leave me alone,

'cause I'm still a prisoner and we both know it.

I've got 51 weeks left to serve.

Let me do them just as I want to. Just leave me alone.

Today's the day, huh?

Yep.

What do you think?

Well, the hoof's grown together, all right.

Question is, will it stay together?

Well, I hope so. So does the Judge.

Huh?

He cornered me in the bunkhouse yesterday,

asked me a lot of questions about the horse and Cordell and Betsy.

What are you getting at, Steve?

She's been spending a lot of time with him.

Not so much she didn't have time to plan a big party tonight.

Party?

Yeah. Seems that one of the hands is having a birthday.

Hey, that-- that's my birthday.

I forgot all about it.

Sure you did.

Hey, that's great.

Uh... party.

Hey, just to show I don't hold no grudge

for all the extra work you laid on me,

you're invited.

Well, thanks, Steve. I appreciate that.

That's all right.

Party.

Young lady!

You hardly touched your breakfast!

That horse can wait another 10 minutes!

I know he can, Father, but I can't!

'Morning.'Morning.

Is he ready?Ready as he'll ever be.

Where's Matthew?

In the barn, I think.

I want him to be here.

Matthew! Matthew!

What?

I'm going to ride him now.

I've done all I can. You don't need me.

But I'd still like for you to watch.

VIRGINIAN: Ride him easy, one turn around the yard.

See if he favors it any. This is his first day on hard ground.

All right. Come on.

Come on.

It's holding.

He's gonna be all right!

You hear? He's gonna be all right!

Matthew!

I gotta get back to work.

Did I say something wrong?

Better brush him down.

Brush him down real good.

[ humming a happy tune ]

[ humming ]

[ knock on door ]

Come in.

Look.

Isn't it beautiful?

Well, yes, it is.

Cost me a fortune. I'm going to owe you my allowance for the next year.

Betsy...

I know, Daddy, I guess I should have asked you first,

but I was in town, and there wasn't much time.

Miss Marlow spent the entire morning on alterations.

I thought you already had a dress for the night.

Well, I did, but it's all ribbons and bows,

and it's really juvenile,

and this one is so much more...

well, you know.

I likeribbons and bows,

instead of "you know."

But I'm not going to spend the whole evening dancing with my father.

Betsy, sit down.

Daddy, I've got to finish--I want to have a talk.

You sound so serious.

I am.

Now, you and I have always been honest with each other.

We say what we think because we love each other,

and that's as it should be.

Now, then...

[ clears throat ]

I, um...

To think, I was once considered somewhat eloquent.

Daddy...

do you want me to say it for you?

You think you could?

Two words-- Matthew Cordell.

All right, Matthew Cordell. Betsy, he's a man who--

Who's everything you're going to say he is.

He's an ex-convict. He's sullen.

He has a violent temper.

He's a man who doesn't understand our ways,

and he doesn't trust our motives,

because he's never had any reason to trust anyone before.

You know him pretty well.

I've thought about him quite a lot in the past few days,

and I know his good points as well as his bad,

and, Daddy, there's a lot of good in him.

When he wants to, Matthew can be very kind and warm and gentle.

And when he doesn't want to?

Then he needs something more from us

than just a place to sleep and a job.

Remember, Daddy?

Careful handling, patience,

and above all, understanding.

So, we've had our talk now, and I'm glad,

but if you don't let me finish getting dressed,

we're both going to be late.

Daddy...

you're still my best fellow.

All right, men, dig deep.

Our share of Steve's birthday present

comes to 50 cents each.

What'd we buy him?

We got him the fanciest pair of boots.

The Judge picked 'em out in town the other day.

I said, "Judge, I don't think--"

And he said, "Don't worry about it. I'll make up the difference."

That difference has come to a goodly amount.

That ain't your problem. Just help sweeten the kitty.

All right, Mr. Cordell,

every man gives his share.

Now, look, you drew wages yesterday.

Now, 50 cents ain't gonna break you.

Get away from me.

Maybe you'd like to help me get away from you.

Or are you all mouth?

You lean heavy, Belden, but you're not worth going back to prison for.

Hmm.

Get it all?

Yeah, all except his, and he ain't about to give any.

Boys, the folks from town will be here any minute.

We ought to be up there on the hill to welcome them.

Let's go.

Lot of pretty girls up there are going to need partners, Belden.

Yeah, and I'm just the guy that can keep 'em all happy.

It's an open party. Everyone's invited.

I'm content where I am.

Don't they have a saying in prison

about a convict doing hard time?

Yeah.

Doesn't it mean that a man won't try to fit in

or adjust to the way of prison life?

Something like that.

Seems to me you're doing hard time right now.

Mister, all my life has been done under hard time.

It doesn't trouble me.

Up until a couple of weeks ago, it had to be like that.

Still plays the same.

What are you going to do when your parole is up,

and get out of here and be on your own?

You intend to live the rest of your life shut in tight against everyone?

I'll work it out, when I get to it.

Might be a lot tougher then.

I told you I'd worry about that when it happens.

If I were you, I'd worry about it now,

because if you don't, you're gonna wind up back where you came from,

and there's not gonna be a second chance.

You figure I owe you something, don't you, mister?

You put a bug in someone's ear and you get me out of prison.

Now you figure I should look down at the ground every time you pass,

bow at the waist every time you talk!

I don't owe you anything! You or anyone!

You think what you want, mister.

But know this--

there are people on this ranch I care about.

Watch out you don't hurt 'em.

[ live instrumental music playing ]

Well, well, well. Good evening, Miss Garth.

Good evening.

You look very pleasing in that dress.

Thank you. Do you like it better than blue jeans and a flannel shirt?

Well, not better, just different.

And it's a nice difference.

I have Miss Marlow to thank for that. She made it for me.

I'll have the other things you wanted done by next week, Betsy.

You have a beautiful home, Judge.

I've often admired it from a distance.

I'm glad you could join us this evening.

Daddy, I think since this is Miss Marlow's first time here

that she should have the first dance with you.

Are you looking for anyone in particular?

No. Just looking.

It looks like Steve's enjoying himself.

Yeah.

Matthew isn't coming, Betsy.

All the rest of you are here.

Why'd he have to stay away?

He's a little different than the rest of us. He...

What were you saying?

Hello.Hello.

Well, what do you think? Do you like it?

It's all right.

Um... would you like some punch?

If that's what they serve at these things, all right.

It's over there.

Glad to see you changed your mind.

Here it is. Help yourself.

JUDGE GARTH: Are you enjoying yourself?

I am now.

Matthew, how are you?

Fine.

Rita, this is Matthew Cordell.

Rita Marlow.

I'm happy to meet you, Mr. Cordell.

Hello.

Rita...

...may I have this dance?

Oh, of course.

Excuse us.

Well, Matthew.

This is my favorite song to dance to.

Would you like to dance?

I've never had much chance to learn.

If you wouldn't mind, I'll show you.

It's not very hard.

No. No, thanks.

I'll-- I'll just sit down here and watch.

That Miss Marlow, does she belong to anyone?

If you mean does she have a boyfriend...

no.

[ music ends; applause ]

Hold it. Folks! Folks!

Can I have your attention for a minute, please?

Uh... I want to thank everybody for coming to my party this evening,

'cause I'm sure having a good time.

Either that, or somebody put something in the punch I didn't know about.

[ laughter ]

And I want to thank all the guys that I work with for these fancy boots.

[ applause ]

You know, it's about one or two times in a man's life

that he can wear boots like this--

either to get buried in or married in,

and I don't know which is worse.

[ laughter ]

But most of all, I want to thank Miss Betsy Garth

for having this party for me.

[ applause ]

I'd like to ask another favor of you, Betsy, if you don't mind.

Sing a song for us?

Would you mind?

I got no hold on you. You do what you want.

[ whispers ] "Some Folks Do."

[ musicians begin playing ]

♪ Some folks like to sigh

♪ Some folks do, some folks do ♪

♪ Some folks can't get by

♪ But that's not me nor you ♪

♪ Some folks like to fret

♪ Some folks do, some folks do ♪

♪ Just like a fish in a net ♪

♪ But that's not me nor you ♪

♪ Long live the merry heart

♪ That laughs by night and day ♪

♪ Like the Queen of Mirth

♪ No matter what some folks say ♪

♪ Some folks never smile

♪ Some folks do, some folks do ♪

♪ They think it's out of style ♪

♪ But that's not me nor you ♪

♪ Some folks have such fun

♪ Some folks do, some folks do ♪

♪ Get along with everyone

♪ And that's for me and you

♪ Long live the merry heart

♪ That laughs by night and day ♪

♪ Like the Queen of Mirth

♪ No matter what some folks say ♪

[ music ends; applause ]

You haven't danced yet.

I'm not much on dancing.

I get the feeling I'm not wanted.

No, it's not that. I haven't had much chance to learn, that's all.

Well, it's about time you did.

All right, the next one's gonna be a tag dance!

[ musicians begin playing ]

Well, why don't you teach me how?

Well, you... just do what they're doing.

Relax and... and let the music carry you along.

Hey, make room there.

Let the little lady enjoy herself for a change.

Get away.

Wait a minute. I'm cutting in.

She's finishing this dance with me. You go find someone else.

[ woman screams ]

Frank, over here, quick.

Where can I take him?

Up in my room. Conrad, Mike, help the doctor.

You tried to kill that man.

I'm going to have to hold you till I see if it's necessary to send for the sheriff.

Take him to the tack room for now.

And I want to see you in my office in a few minutes.

Drink?Thanks.

How's Belden?

Lucky, any way you look at it.

Lucky nothing's broken.

Lucky it didn't happen when they were alone.

Cordell would have killed him.

I know that.

I may have made a bad mistake bringing him here.

You mean we made a mistake.

Nah. It was my decision then,

and it's my decision as to what's going to happen now.

I wish it weren't.

BETSY: You're going to send him back to prison.

Daddy, please, you can't.

He didn't mean to do that tonight.

He meant it.

He just didn't understand about cutting in,

and lost his temper.

If he had done it in a ranch of anger,

I might find some excuse,

but he was cold and deliberate.

But he doesn't know any better yet.

He made a mistake, and you can't send him back to prison

because of one mistake.

It isn't only that, Betsy.It's me, isn't it?

That's why you don't want him here.

You're using what happened tonight as an excuse to get rid of him

because you're afraid that I like him too much

and that I'll start liking him even more.

Isn't that the real reason you don't want him here?

Daddy, please, you can't send him back to prison

for the rest of his life just because of that. It isn't right!

You believe what she said?

You got plenty of reason to send him back without that.

Well, it does weigh in the scales against him.

She was right in that.

He's broken his parole.

I'd be derelict in my duty if I overlooked it.

But I am prejudiced against him

because he's seeing too much of my daughter, and I don't like it.

I don't mind admitting it to you or anybody else.

And if I sent him back, I'd never know why I did it--

because of duty or...

fear.

[ door opens ]

How's Belden?He'll be all right.

I didn't start that fight.Sure you did.

And you weren't trying to just hurt him, either. You wanted to kill him!

It's the only way I know how to fight.

It's the wrong way.Not where I came from.

There, you got somebody down, you made sure he stayed down.

If you didn't, he'd be right there on you.

One day you'd turn your back, and he'd be right there on top of you.

I wasn't about to let that happen.

I've told you before, we live by different rules.

You just can't seem to understand that, can you?

I suppose I do.

Doesn't make any difference, though.

I go back to prison.

You stay here.

But I want you to understand something, and remember it.

I'd written you off.

You were going back as far as I was concerned.

But you get a second chance because Judge Garth wants it that way.

Make it good.

Lock the door when you leave.

Uh... Steve.

I, uh... I noticed that your bridle needed some work.

So I, uh, fixed it.

Here.

Thank you.

Boy, I sure like these few minutes of doing just...

...nothing

before riding herd on a bunch of dumb cows.

They say nice things about you.

[ laughs mockingly ]

Hi, Belden.

VIRGINIAN: How you makin' it?

Hmm?How you makin' it?

Another couple of days, I can go back on the payroll.

Well, you were never off it.

Then I'll start to earn it.

Take it easy, Bel.

Yeah. He's been tryin'.

Saying I'm sorry won't change things much.

So go ahead. Work it out of your system.

What are you talking about?

The other night, I didn't give you much of a chance to hit back.

I figure you have the same right.

[ chuckles ] No, uh... no point to it.

I'd just end up back in bed from the effort.

I, uh, better save my strength.

Got enough strength to pitch a horseshoe?

Name the stakes.

Cordell and I each got a quarter says we can take you and Steve.

You want to partner up with me?

Right.

You just threw your money away, son!

[ indistinct happy chatter ]

All right.

Hey, wait. Maybe you'd like to take a couple of practice tosses first.

Might help, might help.

All right, just don't let me hear any crying

when you go to give me your two bits.

Ha ha!

Don't scare 'em off, don't scare 'em off.

Oh, 'bout that quarter--

there's two things we had a lot of in prison.

One was time, the other was horseshoes.

Hello.

I came to see Betsy.

I tried the house, but nobody was...

She's out for a ride.

She ought to be back anytime,

if you'd care to wait up to the house.

Is there any harm if I wait right here?

No.

I just thought...

What?

Nothin'.

Matthew, I've been hearing nice things about you,

about your work.

My work?

About you.

But I only hear. I haven't seen you around.

I didn't think you'd want to... after...

I understand what happened that night, more than anyone.

They don't have formal dances at a girls' orphanage either.

You were at an orphanage?

Until I was 19.

The other night at the party...

That was a long time ago.Not to me.

To me, it was just like yesterday.

I'm not like that... really.

I... I mean, well, I used to be.

Not because I wanted to be. Because...

well, I thought that I had to be.

That can't make any sense to you at all.

You'd be surprised at the great number of things that happen to people

that shouldn't make any sense at all...

but do.

I've never met anybody quite like you before.

I felt the same way about you.

[ knock on door ]

[ knock ]

Come in, Daddy.

That's a fine way to treat your father.

Keeping off to yourself up here.

Had the worst supper of my entire life.

Sorry. I wasn't hungry.

What's the matter, honey?

Nothing.

You always used to be able to talk to me.

I hope nothing's changed that.

No.

Well.

Just remember, if you do want to talk,

there's nobody in the world I'd rather listen to.

I know that, Daddy.

Good night, honey.

[ crying ] Oh, Daddy!

Oh, now.

Oh, now, now, now.

What is it? What?

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cry.

It's silly and stupid.Oh, no, it's none of that.

Just a good way for a woman to make herself feel better sometimes.

I'm not a woman.

What brought this on?

Matthew Cordell? Did he do something to hurt you?

It's nothing he did.

It's just that he's a grown man,

and I guess it's only right that he likes somebody who's a grown woman.

I liked him so much that I forgot I was that silly girl Betsy Garth.

You're quite a wonderful girl in my book.

You're prejudiced.

[ laughs ] You're darn right I am.

I thought I was in love with him.

I mean, I've never felt this way about anybody before.

I-I think you were. And that's good.

Even if you were hurt,

loving and feeling deeply about people.

And if you did love him, I...

I think you picked a very worthwhile young man.

I still like him.

I mean, not the way I used to,

but I still like him.

So do I.

Now if you'll just get on to bed

and try to get some sleep.

Good night, Daddy.

Hello, Cordell! [ laughs ]

What's the matter? You surprised to see me?

Huh?

I never figured you to walk outside those walls.

Well, why not?

You made it, didn't you?

And you set such a good example

that they figured to give a few of us others a crack at it.

Warden Harris, he signed my papers earlier this week.

Parolees don't wear weapons.

Well, I...

I bend the rules to fit me a bit easier.

You still stringy on words, ain't you?

All right, I'll lay it out for you.

I want money.

And the way I intend to get it is quick and easy.

The amount is big. It spends a long time.

What are you talking about?

There's a man living up in that house. He's got a lot of money.

Must keep some of it in the safe.

You show me where his room is,

and I'll slip in and convince him to open up that safe,

so as not to disturb anyone else.

And we'll take care of him.

And we'll take off before anyone else is the wiser.

There couldn't be anything easier than that, could there?

Huh?

Could there?

[ horses whinnying ]

[ gasps ]

Get-- get away from here.

Go on. Go on.

Now, that's all the men we can spare off their jobs.

That's enough. Cordell doesn't know the country.

He won't be hard to track.

We'll ride as soon as the sheriff finishes checking the body.

It must have been self-defense. It had to be.

Why did he hide the body?

Because he thought he had no chance,

that you wouldn't believe him.

I'm beginning to think he's right.

The men are all ready, Judge.

Just waiting for the sheriff to come up from the bunkhouse and deputize them.

Daddy, you're wrong in doing this, tracking him down.

He killed a man!

And he could have killed me and buried my body along with the other,

and you would have never found us.

And Matthew would still be free, but he let me go!

I'm sorry, Betsy.

I've thought about it.

I knew it was no good.

Running never is.

I wouldn't know. I've never had the room to run before.

But you stuck your neck out for me.

I couldn't let you take the--

If I have to go back, you might as well be the man who sends me.

You realize you've just given up your freedom,

if not your life.

Until I came here, I only had an existence.

You gave me a life. All of you did.

It's not your fault I threw it away.

But I learned a funny thing about freedom.

It takes a free man to give it up.

You the fellow that killed that man in the bunkhouse?

Yes.

Friend of yours?

We were in prison together.

When he was paroled, he came here.

What'd he want?

He wanted money.

He was going to rob the Judge.

I hit him.

Then I made a big mistake.

When he was down, I played the game by your rules.

I didn't make sure he was finished.

I guess somebody forgot to tell him about the rules.

He pulled a knife on me.

Man came at me with a knife, I'd have to kill him.

Self-defense, huh?

I've only got your word for it.

I think his word's good.

He could have killed my daughter and gotten away.

This parolee he killed...

Deke was no parolee, Judge.

He broke out over a week ago.

Killed a guard doing it-- with a knife.

Son, I figure you just saved somebody else a lot of trouble.

'Course, there's gonna have to be a hearing. You're gonna have to be there.

Whether you wait in prison or here at Shiloh is up to the judge.

You better get that arm tended and get back to work.

Good blacksmith's hard to come by.

Uh...

'cept today's Saturday.

That's-- that's my day off.

I suppose you'll want to go into town.

There's somebody I'd like to see.

Well, I suggest you clean up first.

Uh, Matthew.

I'll fix up your arm. That is, if you want me to.

I'll appreciate it.