Original subtitles

[ theme song ]

[ mooing ]

[ mooing ]

Where'd you find those?

Over in the gulch.

What's that beat-up place over there?

Used to be the Peterson Ranch House.

What's it doin' on Shiloh range?

That was built before this was Shiloh range.

You here then?

Yeah, I was here.

Did you know the Petersons?

Why?

Just curious.

Heard tell things were pretty rough in those days.

What happened to them?

They died.

Let's get back to the ranch. I don't wanna miss supper again.

Was it only seven years ago?

Sometimes it seems like a lot more than that.

Other times, it's as if it happened only yesterday.

This part of the country was new to me then.

It looked real peaceful and quiet.

I could use a little peace and quiet.

I had ridden a long way tryin' to find some.

[ gunshots ]

[ gunshot ]

Is he dead?

No, not yet.

Okay, let's get him back.

Turn him out for a few days.

Throw some water on him.

What happened?

We caught him on the lower South Line.

Had to shoot his horse out from under him.

What were you doin' on my range?

I didn't know it was your range.

I asked what you were doin' there.

I was ridin' across it,

till your men started shootin' at me.

Who are you?

What's the difference?

Do you always take potshots at strangers?

I'll ask the questions.

You'll answer a couple, too!

Shut up, mister!

Or we'll finish the job.

Look, I don't know what this is all about,

but where I come from, you don't shoot unarmed men

for ridin' across your range land.

We don't either, under ordinary circumstances,

but when three of my men have been shot at from ambush this past month...

Here, take a look at this.

You might notice I wasn't wearin' it.

Trigger guard filed down.

[ cocks gun ]

Very professional.

I know how to use it, if that's what you mean.

Did Peterson send for you?

I don't know what you're talkin' about.

Oh, of course you don't.

You just happened to be carrying a gun like that,

and I suppose you just happened to be riding across Judge Garth's range when--

Wait a minute, did he call you Judge?

That's right.

This is some law-abiding town,

if this is the way the judges act out here.

Well, we've been havin' trouble here.

Gunmen have been brought in.

Naturally, when my men saw you, they thought--

I know what they thought. I've got a dead horse to prove it.

Well, if you're tellin' the truth--

What do ya mean, "if"?

Well, I still don't know who you are,

what you're doin' here, why you need a gun like this.

But if we've done you an injustice, you have my apology.

Get him a horse.

Thanks a lot.

[ piano music coming from saloon ]

♪♪

[ blows ]

Monongahela.

Howdy.

Howdy.

Stranger in town?

That's right.

Have one on me.

Why should you wanna buy me a drink?

'Cause as soon as you leave here,

I'm gonna get my head busted.

What are you talkin' about?

Him...

him...

and them.

What are they after you for?

They work for Judge Garth.

They're after me because I made the mistake of coming in here alone.

You wearin' a gun?

The way I see it, I got two choices--

try to fight it out with them with my fists and get beat up,

or I can go for my gun and get killed.

Well, I'm sorry, friend, I'd like to help you out but--

I'm not askin' ya to get mixed up in it.

I just figure they won't make their move until I'm alone.

If I can keep you here drinkin' with me long enough,

I might get drunk enough not to feel it.

Maybe we can figure out something better than that.

If you got in mind goin' for the sheriff,

I don't think you'd get far.

Neither do I.

But nice talkin' to ya.

Well, howdy do.

Well, howdy do.

Now you're just too handsome

to be sittin' there all by yourself.

Well no, ma'am, it's awful good of you to say that.

Won't you sit down, Miss, uh--

Billie.

Billie? Mm-hmm.

Well, you're the one. That's funny.

Well, what do you mean?

Honey, you see that little lady standin' down there by the piano?

Well, what's she got against you, anyway?

[ chuckles ]

Since when is that old cow a lady?

Well, that's the point. That's what she just said about you.

She said you were long in the tooth

and over the hill and around the bend,

and I can't figure it out. Now I gotta meet ya.

Oh, she did, did she? Mm-hmm.

Well, will you excuse me a minute, honey?

Oh, sure.

I'll be right back.

All right.

Since when am I an old cow?!

[ slap ]

[ screams ]

Hey!

[ grunts ]

Who started this thing?

I guess somebody must have made a remark or something.

[ gunshot ]

All right, who started this brawl?

Ahh.

Well, in a way, you might say I did, Sheriff.

Now you're sure this fella started that fight last night just to help you out?

Yes, sir.

I didn't realize it at first,

but, well, after I thought about it--

And you say they arrested him?

I saw the sheriff bringin' him down the street

as I was ridin' out of town.

Well, I'll look into this good Samaritan.

Oh, if you have any shopping to do,

I want Stager and a couple of the boys to go along with you.

Well, that's not necessary, Dad.

Judge Garth's men have never bothered me.

I'd feel better if you did this my way.

But I'll feel foolish going to a store with a cavalry escort.

He's right, Maria. We got trouble enough without askin' for more.

I see I'm outnumbered, as usual.

And we'll meet you right back here.

It would've served you right if you'd gotten a few lumps.

Comin' into town alone at night--

you should've known better.

Mornin', Charlie.

Oh, good morning, Mr. Peterson.

What can I do for you?

You can tell Judge Garth to keep his gunmen

out of Medicine Bow, for one thing.

Well now, he said the same thing about your men last week.

I suppose it was Dolan's fault last night in that saloon.

Well, I didn't know Dolan had anything to do with it at all.

I thought some stranger started a fight and--

Four of Garth's men were gonna beat up Dolan.

That other man started that fight to save him.

Well now, he didn't tell me that.

I'm tellin' ya right now. What's the charge against him?

Disturbing the peace, damage to the saloon.

How much?

Well, George said $40 would cover the damage

and $10 for disturbing the peace.

Ah, you can fetch him out right now.

Well, this is kind of irregular, but, uh...

all right.

Hey.

Hey, you.

Come on. Huh?

Get goin'.

Sheriff, I told ya, I don't have any $50.

You don't need it.

Well, I'm happy to see you take a reasonable attitude.

I'm not taking any attitude. Mr. Peterson paid your fine.

Huh?

He tells me you saved one of his men from a beating.

That's right.

Well, why didn't you tell me that last night?

Well, Sheriff, these bunks aren't the softest in the world,

but they sure do beat sleepin' out on the cold, hard ground.

Say, uh, what'd you do with my horse?

It's in the livery stable. Oh.

Here he is.

I'm Miles Peterson.

Howdy.

I understand you did quite a favor

for Dolan here last night.

Well, it worked out pretty good all the way around.

He got out of a little jam, and I got a good night sleep on the house.

[ chuckles ] What are ya doin' in Medicine Bow?

Just passin' through. Thanks for bailin' me out.

Well, here you are.

You lookin' for a job?

I could use one, yeah.

You've got one.

Just a minute.

Why were those fellas out to get Dolan last night?

Well, because he works for me.

And you're offerin' me a job?

Hundred dollars a month and cartridges.

I thought you wanted cowhands.

[ chuckles ] Well, I guess I had you sized up wrong, didn't I?

Sorry. Thanks again for bailin' me out.

Well now, wait a minute, wait a minute.

Straight job-- $40 a month.

He's a good man to work for.

Well, all right, you got a deal.

Good.

Now you remember now, I didn't start this trouble.

All I know is you'd think Wyoming was big enough

for both Shiloh and your ranch.

You tell that to Garth. He's the one doin' the crowding.

Come on, Dolan.

Oh, Sheriff, thanks a lot.

Well, that was quick.

You can't do much shopping

with an army following you around.

Oh, this is the fella that helped out Dolan last night.

My daughter.

I heard about it.

Yeah, I signed him on. That's Hugh Stager, my foreman.

Howdy.

Uh, my horse is right here at the livery stable. I'll get him.

I thought I was supposed to do the hirin'.

You are--most of the time.

Fellas, hold it. You, too.

Bunkhouse is in the back. Grab any bunk that's open.

As soon as he gets his gear stowed,

you two start workin' the north range for strays.

Just the two of us?

What's the matter? The work too much for ya?

Well, I didn't say that.

I mean, it'll take a couple of days for two men--

It'll take you longer than that if you don't get a move on.

You either get goin' or draw your pay, I don't care which.

You better get movin', or you're gonna be lookin' for a job.

That Dolan's a troublemaker.

Sooner or later, I gotta get rid of him.

Oh, he's all right, Hugh.

He's a little immature, but he'll outgrow that.

You mean I can't fire him?

Well, of course you can, if he does something to deserve it.

Now why? Now what brought all this on?

Well, I don't wanna sound like I'm unappreciative,

but it's hard to do the job right

when the men know that they can go right over my head.

Well, how did I go over your head?

Well, that new man you hired.

What do you know about him?

Only that he did Dolan a favor last night.

That seemed like recommendation enough to give him a chance,

and if he doesn't work out, we'll get rid of him.

[ door closes ]

You're in a good mood.

I can't seem to convince your father that we're in a fight.

We can't win a fight with men like Dolan or that new man.

What have you got against him?

Well, he's a drifter.

They have no sense of loyalty.

You can't depend upon a man like that.

These new men you've been signing on--

you think you can depend on them?

Well, they're not the kind I'd pick as friends,

but they're nice to have on my side.

I thought it was ourside.

Well, you know that's what I meant.

Is it, Hugh?

What does that mean?

Well, let's be honest with one another.

You're not in love with me.

You just pretend to be

because you know it'd please Dad if we got married.

He'd feel that I'd be taken care of,

in case anything happened to him.

The ranch would go on.

Whatever put a crazy notion like that in your head?

Is it crazy, Hugh?

Maybe you're the one who's changed.

Well, if I have, it's your fault.

You're so wrapped up in this feud,

you don't know I'm alive anymore.

The reason I'm wrapped up in this feud

is because it's a matter of life or death to the Peterson ranch.

I haven't got enough time to fight Garth and spend with you.

I thought you'd be understanding enough to realize that.

I wish I could believe you.

Just be patient.

[ door closes ]

[ door closes ]

Who's that?

Donovan?

He's one of Stager's men.

Why? You know him?

I guess not.

[ mooing ]

Thanks.

We better push them on down to the herd

before Stager sends somebody out to see what's happened to us.

Hey, why does he got it in for you, anyway?

'Cause I'm not one of his boys.

I was workin' here before the old man hired him.

You know, I don't know how he did it,

but he sure got the old man thinkin' the sun rose and set on him.

Inside of two years, he's foreman of the ranch

and he's engaged to the boss' daughter.

[ chuckles ] You can't do much better than that.

No, I guess not.

You know, he wants me to quit, like most of the others,

but I got just about enough mule in me not to do it.

If he wants to get rid of me, he's gonna have to look me right in the eye and fire me.

Huh. How long has this feud with Garth been goin' on?

I don't know-- four or five months.

I don't remember how it started,

but it's sure buildin' toward an explosion.

Peterson's movin' his herd towards the South Pass.

How close are they?

They ought to make it on through

before I can round up enough men to stop them.

Well, if we left now, could we get there in time?

Yeah, but--You find whoever you can around the ranch.

I'll be ready in five minutes.

[ mooing ]

Head them up! Push them!

Whoo! Whoo! Ha!

Get your men up in the rocks.

Don't shoot unless I give the word.

Ha!

Garth. Up ahead.

[ whistles ]

Take them back, Stager. You're on Shiloh range.

We just wanna move them through to the other side of the canyon.

Peterson didn't ask to use my land.

I don't think Mr. Peterson's about to ask you any favors.

Then you'll go the long way around.

I don't think so, Judge.

Look about you before you decide.

Some other time, Judge.

I don't know how you can sit there and let him get away with it.

Well, you knew that property was his when you tried to bring the cattle through.

You told me you'd always used that canyon to get to the open range,

long before I got here.

That was before the trouble started.

Now you're backin' off.

Backing off? I am not going to do anything that puts me in the wrong.

I wouldn't have a leg to stand on in this case.

In other words, you're willin' to sit by

and let him get away with anything he wants.

If he's wrong, and I can prove it,

I'll jump on him with both feet,

but until that happens, I'm not gonna be provoked into starting a fight.

The fight's already started.

The question is-- who's gonna win?

I still can't understand why Garth started all this.

We used to be friends.

All I know is he's tryin' to push you right out of Wyoming.

Sooner or later, you gotta push back or fold up.

Maybe you're right, but this is not the issue to do it on.

I only hope you don't wait too long.

I think I better be the judge of that.

All right.

Good night.

I thought I heard Hugh's voice.

You did--loud and clear.

Don't tell me you two had another argument.

No, not exactly, but he's a little more aggressive than I realized.

I thought he was your idea of the perfect son-in-law.

Is that why you accepted him?

No, of course not. I was only teasing.

Where you going?

Oh, I think I'll go out and take a walk.

I won't be long.

When they hand out a day's work around here,

they don't fool around, do they?

I'll see if I can get the cook to warm something up for us.

Yeah, like a couple of nice, thick steaks.

Boo.

Hello.

Good evening.

You're working late.

Yeah, we had a lot of strays to round up.

I notice your horse has a Shiloh brand.

A lot of people have been askin' me about that.

I trust you have a satisfactory answer.

Mm-hmm.

A couple of Judge Garth's men

shot my horse out from under me by mistake.

So they gave me another one.

Why would they do a thing like that?

Well, I was ridin' on their range,

and I guess they figured I was workin' for your father.

Oh.

Not a very friendly country, is it?

Used to be.

When did all the trouble begin?

I don't know exactly.

It was little things at first, and then all of a sudden,

things seemed to get out of hand.

I'm afraid to think how it's going to end.

I got a pretty good idea.

Why did you sign on here?

Just a job.

Do you like it?

I don't know yet.

And if you don't like it, you just go on to the next?

That's right.

It must be nice to be able to do that.

Well, there are good things about it.

What are you looking for?

I'll know that when I find it.

It's not that easy for a girl.

She has to stay where she is,

and then hope that before she gets too old or too bored or unhappy...

Hey, hurry up! Cook says if we hurry, we can--

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't--

Oh, that's all right. I was just going into the house.

Good luck, I hope you find it.

Good luck to you, too.

Find what? What was that all about?

Nothin'. Let's go eat.

It's been a hard year for everyone.

Money is in short supply.

We've been friends a long time, Matt. What's on your mind?

I had to discount your note.

I told you, money was scarce.

In the interest of the depositors,

I had to convert every asset I could.

Who'd you sell me to, Matt?

Miles Peterson.

I see.

It's not that bad.

Miles wants to meet you and go over your differences.

Henry, I had no other choice.

[ door closes ]

Oh, it's you.

Why don't you look where you're goin'?

Just a minute. How about payin' for that flour?

You're tryin' to pick a quarrel.

You're lookin' for an excuse to have a gunfight.

Well, pretty hard to do, wouldn't it?

Seein' as how I'm not wearin' a gun.

No, you're not wearin' a gun.

We know you prefer to keep yours hidden.

Go back and tell Peterson I won't be provoked into a gunfight

with one of his hired killers.

That's as good a place as any to do it.

You think that'll light the fuse?

Well, it better.

What are you pushing so hard for?

You know, the old man can't live forever.

Isn't this ranch big enough for you?

No.

I knew you when you never dreamed you'd have a set-up like this.

It'll be even better when we run Garth out of the territory.

I'll say this for you-- when you think, you think big.

I'm not gonna run just another ranch.

I'm gonna be top man on the biggest spread

west of the Mississippi before I get through.

If you don't stub your toe first,

I think maybe you will.

Well, not till you get down there and do your job.

Don't let anybody see you.

Yes, sir. Anything you say, boss.

[ wagon approaching ]

Good morning.

Good morning.

You ought to have some help with that.

Well, the thought crossed my mind,

but I guess it didn't cross Mr. Stager's.

They're all out in the north range.

[ grunts ]

Got any idea where this flour is supposed to go?

Well, we could use one sack in the house,

if you wouldn't mind carrying it in.

That's what I'm here for.

I guess I sounded pretty sorry for myself last night.

Not at all.

As a matter of fact, I was.

Why would you feel sorry for yourself?

You've got a beautiful ranch, you're young,

engaged to be married.

Just put it in the kitchen. Right back there.

Would you like some coffee?

Well, I don't think the foreman would appreciate that.

It's still my house. Would you like some?

Thank you, ma'am.

It'd be a pleasure to have a cup of coffee with you.

Good. Make yourself comfortable. I'll bring it right in.

I shouldn't have left that book there.

Looks very interesting.

Well, at least it's different from the way we live here.

Sugar or cream?

Just black, thanks.

The working girls are probably reading about the ranchers' daughters.

That might sound pretty good to them.

Is that meant to convey a message?

It's good coffee.

Thank you, but you didn't answer my question.

I don't think it's any of my business.

You're a very careful man, aren't you?

It pays to be.

Sometimes it can even keep you alive.

Do you think I'm pretty?

Well, of course I do.

Would you like to kiss me?

I always like to kiss pretty girls.

Well, what's stopping you? We're alone in the house.

I guess I also like it to be my idea.

I'm not very good at being coquettish, am I?

It's not much of a thing to be good at.

I'm sorry.

I guess I just wanted to seem desirable.

You're engaged to be married. That ought to prove something.

Yes, and I also have a father who owns a very large ranch.

There's a connection.

I'm afraid the conclusion isn't very flattering.

Are you sure it's the right one?

I've tried very hard not to think so,

but there's no use fooling myself any longer.

What do you plan to do about it?

I don't know.

I may still marry him...

because I'm even more afraid of not getting married at all.

It's the awful part about it.

Is that offer still open?

You don't have to be kind.

I know it.

[ horse approaching ]

You'd better go.

I haven't finished my coffee.

Yes, but you were right. You would get into trouble.

I don't want you to.

Thanks very much.

[ door opens ]

Maria?

What was he doin' here?

He just carried in a sack of flour for me.

It's nice to know you're jealous.

I just wanna be sure the bunkhouse hands know their place.

Yes, of course.

Donovan, what the devil are you doin'?

That's our fence you're cuttin'.

You gone crazy or something?

Now look, Jerry--

Have you switched sides?

Maybe you're workin' for Garth now.

Is that it?

No, this is Stager's idea.

You mean Stager's tryin' to turn this

into a shootin' war by framin' Garth?

Yeah, I tried to argue him out of it, but you know how he is.

I didn't wanna get fired.

He's the one that's gonna get fired

as soon as I tell Peterson.

Look, I'll go find him right now. Come here.

That's a good idea.

[ gunshot ]

Everything all right?

I thought you were supposed to keep

all the hands away from there till I finished.

That's right. Why? Did someone--

Jerry busted in on me right in the middle of it.

What happened?

You got a bonus.

When they find the cut wire, they'll find him, too.

[ bawling ]

Hi.

Hi.

[ bawling ]

I heard him bawling. I couldn't imagine what happened.

Got himself all tangled up.

Well, I know how he feels.

What do you mean?

Every time I see you, I seem to make a worse fool of myself.

That's not true.

Well, first I sound too sorry for myself,

and then yesterday, I acted like a cheap saloon girl.

[ chuckles ] I wouldn't exactly call it that.

Everything I try to do seems to turn out wrong.

Well, why don't you just try bein' yourself?

Maybe I'm not sure what that is.

I've been so busy trying to be what other people wanted me to be,

I guess I lost track of myself.

All the time I was growing up,

I knew my father wanted a son instead of a daughter.

So I did the best I could to make up for it.

I can shoot like a man, can ride like a man,

even bulldogged a calf once.

[ chuckles ]

That didn't turn out so well.

It was about that time that Dad decided he was stuck with a daughter,

whether he liked it or not.

So we started hunting a husband for me--

one that could carry on with the ranch.

That's when Hugh came along.

Dad thought he was great.

So did I, at first.

It wasn't until we got engaged that I began to have doubts

whether he wanted me or the ranch.

That does something to your pride.

It makes you feel--

Maria.

Don't you sell yourself short.

You got a lot to offer any man.

You really mean that?

[ horse approaching ]

Oh, I...

always come along at the wrong time.

Stager wants us to ride fence on the South Line.

Maybe I can answer your question later.

Uh-huh.

[ mooing ]

[ whistles ] Ho!

Hey, look.

Something's down.

Yeah, let's take a look.

Peterson brand. Jerry's horse.

Dolan.

Shot in the back.

[ sighs ] This will do it.

This will sure start the shootin'.

Well, let's get him back. Go get his horse.

You sure it was our fence-- on our range?

Yes, sir. No mistake about that.

Can I round up the men?

Now wait a minute.

What for?

Because I said so.

You mean you're gonna let Garth get away with this?

Not if he's responsible.

Well, who else could it be?

The wire cut, your own man shot in the back--

who else could have done it?

Well, I will admit, it looks bad, but--

Sounds to me like you're tryin' to walk around a fight.

Well, what I meant was--

I know what you meant.

Now I'll tell ya what's gonna happen.

We're goin' over to Shiloh, just you and me, to see Garth.

If one of his men did this without his knowledge,

he's gonna have the chance to turn him over to the sheriff.

He's gonna get that chance

before anybody around here starts a full-scale war.

Now if you don't have the stomach for it,

I'll go alone.

I wish you'd change your mind about this.

I've changed my mind about a lot of things,

and I've been wrong about a lot of things, too.

What does that mean?

You finish up your month and draw your time.

I had a feelin' that was comin'.

Sure you want it this way?

I'm sorry, boy. I had a lot of hopes and plans for you,

but you just don't measure up to them.

If that's the way you feel.

That's the way I feel.

Whoa.

What are you stopping for?

Off horse is bobbing. Might have picked up a stone.

Looks all right to me.

Doesn't hurt to take a look.

[ horse approaching ]

Nice shot.

It's all over, Maria.

It won't be over until I see Garth in a grave as deep as that one.

I'll take ya home, Maria.

Looks like you got competition.

Hey, the boss wants to see ya.

Right now!

[ knock at door ]

Come in.

You wanted to see me?

Must have been important.

[ sighs ]

There's your time. Take it.

Just a minute. What are you doing?

We don't need this man, Maria.

I'll do any firing that has to be done.

You will stay on, won't you? I don't want you to go.

You heard the boss, Stager.

If that's the way you want it.

That's the way I want it.

Excuse us, please.

Yes, ma'am.

Let's get a few things straight.

My father was getting old, and he gave you pretty much of a free hand.

But I own the ranch now,

and I'm not old enough or tired enough

to surrender authority. Clear?

Well, you know how Miles felt about us.

It's not how he felt, it's how I feel that counts.

If I thought that saddle tramp was comin' between us, I'd--

You'd do what?

Nothin'. Forget it.

I found this in the ranch accounts.

It's a note for $30,000.

Garth's note. Your father bought it up.

Pretty good reason why Garth had him killed.

He was afraid Miles would call in the loan.

It's due in 30 days.

This is what I need.

I'm going to destroy Henry Garth.

You've got one more job to do.

Him?

I've come too close to let him turn her against me.

He'll be ridin' fence today on the South Line.

Hip, hip, hip, hip! Get in there!

[ mooing ]

Hip, hip, hip, hip!

[ continues calls ]

[ horse whinnies ]

I found you on the South Line.

You're in a line shack now belonging to Shiloh ranch.

I dug this out of you.

Did I holler?

Hmm?

When you dug the slug out of me, did I holler?

No, that's the first time I had hope for ya.

Figured any man who could holler like that wasn't about to die.

Any idea who did it?

No, not unless--

Unless what?

Nothing. I don't know.

Well, you try to get some sleep.

In a day or so, we'll take you over to Shiloh.

We're better fixed to take care of you over there.

[ knock at door ]

Come in.

Here's that information you wanted.

I had it in the bunkhouse.

Thanks.

More paperwork than you realized to running a ranch, isn't there?

Dad wasn't exactly the best bookkeeper in the world.

Anything I can do to help?

No, I don't think so. Thanks.

Well...

Hugh...

Yes?

That new man...

did he give any reason?

I told ya-- he just drew his pay and quit.

Those drifters are all alike--

just stay till they get a full stomach

and a couple dollars in their pocket.

I know it's a little soon to bring it up,

but, uh, the ranch needs a man to run it.

The sooner we're married,

the quicker I can take some of the responsibilities off your shoulders.

Hugh, I, uh--

I said it was too soon.

Think about it.

[ door closes ]

How do you feel?

Much better, thank you.

I've been meanin' to ask ya--

what size slug did you dig out of me?

Forty caliber.

Same size that killed Miles Peterson.

Well, I wouldn't know about that.

Why'd you bring me in, Mr. Garth?

You were hurt.

I wouldn't leave an animal in that condition, much less a man.

Incidentally, you talked a lot while you were out of your head.

Nothin' I'm gonna repeat-- not even to you.

I forgot my tally book. You go on ahead. I'll join ya.

You won't find anything that shoots .40 caliber in there...

or in the bunkhouse, either.

A man doesn't generally try to kill another man

and then nurse him back to life.

That's true enough.

Peterson wasn't nursed back to life.

You think I was responsible for that?

The thought had crossed my mind, yes.

Well, you're wrong.

I believe now that I was.

Thanks.

I had to check...

'cause I had to go back and tell them.

Peterson's daughter thinks you had her father killed.

So does her foreman.

They think you wanna take over the whole range.

Maria ought to know better than that.

As for the foreman, it doesn't matter to me what he thinks--

he or those gunslingers they've got out there.

You've got some pretty rough boys on your payroll, too.

I have no choice.

[ door opens and closes ]

Try this for size.

Thanks very much.

Ahh.

You know, I can't decide whether night or morning is the best time of day.

Lots to be said for both of them, I guess.

Say, before you took up ranching,

did you do any other kind of work, besides bein' a judge?

Lawyer.

Lawyer, huh? I'll remember that-- if I ever need one.

[ chuckles ] Better not.

That was a long time ago.

Besides, someone who doesn't carry a gun

isn't gonna get into that kind of trouble.

Never can tell.

I'll tell ya something--

it's awful hard for a man to change his course.

Keep movin' on...

the past always comes along to catch up with you.

Sooner or later, just when he thinks he's all set...

it' time to be movin' on again.

Feel like stretchin' your legs?

When I came out here,

there was nothin' but open prairie and grassland.

Surprising how quickly things got built.

Come here. I wanna show you something.

Well...

Now that's what I call a chunk of beef.

That's a prize Hereford.

Cost me, oh...

I hate to tell ya what it cost me,

but he's worth every penny.

This bull is the future of Shiloh ranch.

You gonna crossbreed him?

Used to be nothin' but scrub cattle out here.

Well, they're not scrubs anymore.

I'm developin' a good beef breed.

One of these days, I'm gonna expand the breed,

pass the blood to the other ranchers,

and between us,

make enough beef to feed the whole country.

This boy's the start of it all.

You know, uh...

all my life, I've heard people

talk about buildin' for the future.

It's been a long time since I saw anybody really doin' it.

Kinda hard to tie that in with this war you're havin' with Peterson.

Well, this war, as you call it...

it's not of my making.

It's, uh, it's hard to find the words

to thank a man for savin' your life.

Don't try. Only sorry you can't stay on.

Well, I may be back.

There will be a place for you.

Thanks, Judge.

Come in.

I thought you'd like to know--

Garth's moving his main herd down to the railroad.

He made a deal to sell for $30,000--cash on delivery.

Where'd you hear this?

I talked to the buyer in town.

Thank you.

[ door closes ]

Thirty thousand dollars...

that's enough to pay off the note.

He said cash on delivery.

He's not at the railhead yet.

You think you can stop a cattle drive?

You still wanna marry me, Hugh?

You know I do.

Then help me stop Garth.

[ chuckles ] I thought you'd plum dusted out of the country.

What gave you that idea?

Stager said you and him had had an argument and you quit.

I thought it was kinda funny--

you goin' off without your bedroll.

Look like you're doin' some dustin' out yourself.

Well, a man can take just so much,

and then things get too thick,

and when there' talk about stampedin' a herd of good cattle

over a cliff just for spite--

What are you talkin' about?

Maria Peterson--

I tell ya, that girl's gone completely out of her mind.

What's this about stampedin' a herd of cattle?

She's gonna raid Garth's drive and stampede his herd.

She said she's gonna square things

once and for all with Garth for killin' the old man.

Ever see one like this before?

Yeah, that came from a Sharps Carbine.

Know anybody around that's got a gun like that?

Uh-uh, not as I can remember. Why?

Somebody tried to kill me with the slug that came from this cartridge.

I got a hunch whoever did it killed Peterson, too.

But I though Garth--

Garth didn't do it. I'm sure of it.

Well, I'm glad I didn't go along on that raid.

Better warn him.

I'm goin' on down to the Peterson ranch.

Try and find out who's got that gun.

[ cattle mooing ]

We got a caller.

Peterson hand.

Howdy.

Well, what do you want?

The Peterson outfit's gonna raid your drive.

They plan to hit ya tonight.

You're a Peterson man, why tell me?

Look, mister, I don't care if you believe me or not.

I just brought you the word.

Hold the herd, Sunday.

I'm goin' to the Peterson place.

All right, circle them and hold them in tight!

Have them saddle up my bay.

You're not goin' on this business.

You try and keep me away.

All right, if that's the way ya want it.

Donovan's out scouting.

We'll be goin' as soon as he comes back.

I'll be ready.

Saddle up Ms. Peterson's bay. She's goin' with us.

Hello, Maria.

Stager told me you'd quit.

Stager's a liar.

Where have you been?

At Shiloh.

Shiloh?

I had a bullet in my back--

this bullet.

I got a feeling it matches the one that killed your father.

Well, then you're just in time.

We're going to--

I know what you're gonna do, only you're wrong.

Garth's men didn't shoot me or your father.

What makes you so sure?

This bullet comes from a Sharps Carbine.

There wasn't one at Shiloh. I looked.

They could have hidden it.

There's another reason, Maria. Garth saved my life.

He wasn't fighting with you.

His men could have made a mistake.

I spent three weeks with him.

He didn't do it, Maria. I'm sure of that.

I couldn't be that wrong about anybody.

Are you trying to tell me that somebody from this ranch killed my father?

That's what I'm gettin' at.

Who?

Who stood to gain from your father's death?

Hugh?

You named him, I didn't.

[ door opens ]

What are you doin' here?

Were you expectin' to see a ghost?

I don't know what you're talkin' about.

He has an idea somebody from this ranch killed my father.

He's crazy.

He's just tryin' to make trouble.

Then you won't mind if I search the bunkhouse

for a Sharps Carbine, will ya?

You gonna let this saddle tramp walk in and take over?

Let's have a look at the rifles, Hugh.

This is ridiculous.

If that's what you want...

Start with Donovan.

I wanna see what's in that scabbard.

Sure, why not?

That gun came from--Better wait here.

Look out!

[ groans ]

I thought you'd gone away... for good.

I came back as soon as I could.

Don't leave me.

Please, don't leave me.

I'll be here.

[ groans ]

Hey. Come on. What's keepin' ya?

Nothin'.