Original subtitles

[ cows mooing ]

Ya-hoo! Ya! Ya!

Ya! Ya!

Oh, move now. Ya!

SLIM: Jess.

What is it, Slim?

Not so loud.

Look at those tracks.

Our butchering stranger is close by.

Yeah, and those tracks are pretty fresh.

This trail leads about a half a mile over that hill

into a wall of rocks.

This time our stranger has got himself into a box.

One of our prime yearlings.

Come on, let's take him.

Nothing left but the hide.

Yeah, well, he can't get very far toting that beef.

This time we got him cold.

I see something, Jess, come on.

This way, Slim.

Must be half mountain goat and half ghost.

Well, another $10 gold piece for our collection.

Sure beats all, don't he?

Always pays, always skins a hide out nice and clean

like it was his own beef.

Yeah, well, it's not his own beef, it's our beef.

We oughta be the ones to say who buys it and who don't.

Sure.

But how can you stay mad at a man with a conscience?

A man who always leaves a $10 gold piece.

And how long you think it's gonna be

before he runs out of $10 gold pieces...

or a conscience?

Here's a hide for to you to scrape and salt down.

And mind you, scrape it good.

Sure, Slim.

Jess, that hide.

Not again?

That's right, Daisy.

We just sold another prime yearling.

That makes six.

In six weeks.

If this keeps up, we'll have to hire somebody

to guard our hoard of gold pieces.

At least one thing is certain, whoever that stranger is,

he's sure got an appetite for our beef.

But a yearling a week.

Why, that's enough to feed a whole family for a month.

With plenty to spare.

What he can't eat, he's probably salting and putting away someplace.

But all that beef for one man doesn't make sense.

Well, I never have heard yet how to kill half a cow, Daisy.

I wish I thought it was as funny as you do.

Well, he must be desperate to hide out in those awful canyons.

Why do you suppose he's hiding up there?

Probably running away from the law.

He's no killer, that's for sure.

He could have shot us both like a couple of blind mules today.

Well, he's had his fun, but it's gone far enough.

Slim, aren't you gonna eat your blackberry pudding?

Mike went all the way over to the Wilkins and back

for those blackberries.

In a minute, Daisy.

Right now we have a decision to make.

Don't you think it's about time

we notify Sheriff Cory about this stranger?

Oh, come on now, the decision can't be that hard.

If he is a fugitive, we've got to tell Mort.

Yeah, but we don't for sure if he's on the run.

Granted, but we've got to think of the future.

And what happens when he runs out of ammunition?

He's either got to raid the ranch house

or waylay one of us.

Now somebody could get hurt, and bad.

What do you think, Daisy?

Well, it didn't seem like much when it started,

but I guess Slim's right.

We got to think how it'll end.

He wouldn't hurt anybody, I know he wouldn't.

How do you know?

I just know, that's all.

Mike, is that the whole truth?

No.

Let us hear the rest of it, please.

Well, last week I went hunting

for another horned toad to keep Betsy company.

I went looking up in the canyons around the caves.

I slipped and fell into a big hole.

I tried to climb up, but I couldn't.

I yelled for a long time.

Then I started to cry.

I guess the stranger heard me 'cause he came and got me out.

You went hunting horned toads up in the canyons,

when you know you're absolutely forbidden to go up there alone?

Why didn't you tell us about this stranger?

Afraid of a trip to the woodshed?

What did the stranger look like?

Well, you talked to him, didn't you?

Yes.

What did he look like?

Was he tall, short, fat, skinny?

Sort of average, I guess.

You guess? Well, didn't you get a good look at him?

- Yes. - Then what do you remember about him?

His eyes, they were kind of, sort of gentle.

[ horses approaching ]

- Good evening, Slim. - Hi, Mort.

Miss Daisy, Jess.

Sorry to barge in on you like this.

But we've got an emergency on our hands.

This is Mr. Vanton Madox.

He's a specially appointed lawman from Colorado.

These are his deputies.

They've trailed an escaped murderer here to Laramie.

To be exact, right to your front door.

Which of you is Mr. Sherman?

I am.

Mort, the coffee is hot.

You'll be welcome to discuss your business inside.

We're in a hurry, ma'am.

But we'll accept, Miss Daisy, thank you.

Good.

Now what's this about a murderer being on my doorstep?

The fugitive's name is Emil Viktor.

He is a Swiss immigrant,

who was legally tried and sentenced to hang

by the circuit court in Madox, Colorado.

How he escaped isn't important.

What is important is that he's a cold-blooded killer,

a man without the slightest shred of conscience.

And he's hiding out in the high canyon country

just beyond your place.

You sure of that, mister? Nobody made of flesh and blood

can survive in those canyons for long.

Oh, this man will survive until we hunt him down.

He's an experienced mountaineer.

He's living on beef off your ranch, Slim.

We found where he'd slaughtered one today.

There's fresh blood and boot prints.

More than one set of boot prints.

Do you know anything about it?

Yeah, Jess and I found the same thing you did.

We searched the canyons above the spot.

Found some scorched rocks and a rattlesnake.

Why didn't you report it to me?

Well, I figured it could wait till morning.

Well, it can't wait.

Not if you care about the safety of your women and children.

We've managed to protect our own,

and I expect we'll manage after you're gone.

Oh, now take it easy, Slim.

All Mr. Madox meant was that

we're dealing with a desperate fugitive.

Maybe Mr. Sherman would like to see

the court records I showed you.

Documented evidence against a wanton killer,

who will stop at nothing.

And I mean nothing.

You asking us to join your posse?

I brought all the help I need from Colorado.

Stopping here was the sheriff's idea.

I figured you and Jess might want to join us, Slim.

We're headed for that old wind canyon ranch.

A woman moved in there lately

that Mr. Madox wants to question.

You mean Mrs. Carver?

- Yes, that's right. - I know her.

She's trying very hard to make a living for her children

out of that old abandoned place.

I drove over there the other day

to see if there's anything I can do.

What was that?

Mr. Madox, we try to make newcomers welcome here.

But I can't imagine what a nice woman like Mrs. Carver

would know about your fugitive.

Lorena Carver helped Viktor to escape.

Then she shamed her dead husband's name by following him here.

Now if you're finished, sheriff, we'll get on with our business.

Thank you for the coffee, Daisy.

Slim, did you get the impression Mort was asking for our help?

I got the impression that Madox wants Viktor killed on sight.

But it's his duty to return the fugitive alive.

He's a lawman.

Yeah, question is what kind of a lawman?

Jess, I think we'd better go along with them.

Let's go.

They're always so happy, those two.

It's good to hear them laugh.

They feel safe when you're here.

Is that so strange?

No, I miss them, too.

Well, now, you and the children will have plenty to eat,

no matter what happens to me.

Emil, don't talk that way.

What other way is there to talk?

Sooner or later they got to find me.

It's only a matter of when.

No.

You make it sound so hopeless.

Why, it may take years

before they even think of looking for you here.

By that time we'll be far away.

How?

The gold pieces are almost gone.

I can work this place, I'm a strong woman.

The children can help.

We'll make it pay.

How lucky I am to find you.

Oh, if I could only stay here,

and not have to go back up there.

Mm, I'm jealous of those canyons,

even though they do mean safety for you.

And loneliness.

We'll have that place of our own someday.

And then, oh, then it'll be just like we've always dreamed.

Canada, and we can start all over again new.

It's a dream that seems far, far away now.

Never mind, we'll make it come true.

We've got to.

CARL: Mother! Mother!

What is it, Carl?

Riders coming, you got to leave quick.

How many?

Six, maybe more.

I'll go by the back trail.

I'll try to brush out your tracks before they get here.

Go find your sisters, get in the house.

You seem to be having trouble telling the truth, Mrs. Carver.

I'm gonna ask you once more.

Where is Viktor hiding?

I told you, I don't know.

That's not good enough, not by a long chalk.

That's up to you.

Now you listen to me, woman.

If you care about those kids in there,

you'll talk and I mean quick, because I swear to you,

they'll be orphaned while you rot in jail.

This isn't getting us anywhere, Madox.

I'll be the judge of that.

You know what the people in our hometown

are saying about you and Viktor, huh?

What they're saying is their business, not mine.

Well, if you don't care about yourself,

think about your kids.

How do you suppose it looks to them

your taking up with a fugitive?

I married Emil a month ago,

in a little town along the Colorado border.

My children think as highly of my husband as I do.

You're proud of it, marrying a murderer.

What do you suppose that makes you, huh?

That's enough, Madox.

You like her kind, huh, Sherman?

Maybe you can use some straightening out, too, huh?

Slim, take it easy. Take it easy.

Go on, cool off.

You mind your tongue, Madox.

I get the impression you're confused

about where your duty lies, sheriff.

I never counted it my duty to insult a woman.

I checked with you for the record,

but if you continue to interfere--

This is my territory, mister, and I'll interfere anytime

you or your deputies get out of line.

Now is that clear?

You, boy, come here.

Tell Mr. Sherman where your mother got the fresh beef

that's hanging in the smoke house.

I don't think that's any of your business.

Why, you...

Madox, you'd better leave.

Right now.

I'll settle with you when I've got your husband.

He means it, Mrs. Viktor.

He'll press charges against you.

There's nothing I can do to stop him.

There is, you can cooperate,

and Mort will see he leaves you alone.

Won't you, Mort?

Ma'am, he and his hired guns

are going into the canyons after Viktor tomorrow.

I'll recruit a posse of local men

to see there's fair play,

but I can't guarantee that Viktor won't be shot.

Unless you take me to him, now.

I can't do that.

Even if I give you my word

he'll be returned to Colorado unharmed?

I'm sorry.

Mrs. Viktor, maybe you'd like me to take the children

over to stay with Daisy until this thing is settled.

Oh, uh, I don't know.

It might be better all the way around.

Well, I-- I'd be most grateful.

Well, you get 'em fixed up, we'll wait outside.

Sure.

I didn't like the way Madox pushed her around.

If he comes back--

I'll have a couple of boys see she isn't harmed.

Where's the hunt starting tomorrow?

At the foot of the old Indian trail.

I'll be there, Mort.

Now what do you mean you'll be there?

You're minding the store tomorrow.

Don't you remember?

The stage line boss is coming to check the books.

Kind of a hot day for a climb, ain't it?

His trail's petering out.

Don't see how he could get up to those caves.

Viktor could climb onto a ceiling.

I've heard him tell about scaling the Swiss Alps.

He'd be right at home in this kind of country.

Sounds like you know him pretty well.

Every time I turn around, you're looking over my shoulder.

I don't like to be pressed.

And I don't like climbing in the sun.

What makes you so certain your man's up there?

Because it's the only place

where he can keep watch over the whole valley.

[ gunshots ]

Get back. Get out of here!

No! Hold your ground. He'll run out of ammunition.

He's got us cold. He can pick us off anytime he likes.

No, he won't. Just lay low.

I thought you said he was a cold-blooded killer.

Looks to me like he's warning us away.

Looks like we've climbed about as high as we can without ropes.

He's trapped now.

We got to keep going.

If you can see a way up there from here,

you're a better man than I am.

You said it, I didn't.

And you're right as rain.

Easy, Jess. Cool off a bit.

A man's less likely to make a mistake when he's not mad.

Come along behind me.

My legs gave way so quick, I couldn't warn him.

He shouldn't have followed so close behind me.

He's hurt pretty bad.

We got to get him to a doctor, fast.

Caleb, give me a hand.

Now wait a minute, wait a minute.

The sheriff's gonna be all right.

We got to get up there and stop that murderer

before he gets away again.

Nobody in their right mind's gonna try that again, Madox.

Caleb.

He's right, Mr. Madox.

Let Viktor rot up there.

Too risky trying to flush him out.

You call yourselves men?

The first sign of trouble and you run out of backbone.

That man up there is no superhuman,

he can be brought down with a bullet.

All we got to do is corner him.

Corner him?

You ever tried cornering the wind?

There are ten of us against one man.

Sure, and he's a mountain climber

with the right kind of boots, ropes too, probably.

A posse is no pigeon shoot

where you can quit when the bird gets out of easy range.

That man up there is a murderer.

You Laramie men,

you're a legally sworn arm of the law,

you got a duty.

We got no duty to get ourselves killed.

You promised me that when I hired you and your men

you wouldn't quit until I--

You need help from experts, Mr. Madox.

There's an army mountain troop bivouacked at Fort Platte.

Now we'll guard the canyon exits until you bring them here.

That'll take another day at least.

That's the best we can do. Take it or leave it.

All right.

I hold you personally responsible

for turning these men against me, Harper.

We'll settle up when I finish what I came for.

I'll be looking forward to that.

Slim.

What is it, Daisy?

- Jess is back. - When did he get here?

Just a few minutes ago, and he's leaving again.

Oh, Slim, will you talk to him?

Sure, Daisy.

Is that food ready yet, Daisy?

I'll only be a minute.

Uh, what's this all about?

I'm going in to the canyon, Slim.

I think I know a way of bringing Viktor out alone.

Just like that, huh? Ten men couldn't do it,

but you're gonna do it by yourself.

There's no other way. Madox has sent for army help.

Viktor won't stand a chance against professionals,

no matter how good of a mountaineer he is.

So?

So if the army finds him and brings him to Madox,

he's a dead man.

We still owe him something for Mike, Slim.

Are you sure it's Mike you're thinking of?

Posse man was by, said you had quite a run-in with Madox.

That's part of it.

Then I'm going with you, Jess.

I'm going alone.

He'd spot two of us for sure, Slim, you know that.

Now look, even if you're lucky enough

to get within talking distance of Viktor,

still doesn't mean you can bring him in,

not with a death sentence hanging over his head.

Here you are, Jess.

Thanks, Daisy.

Slim, he's a married man with a family.

Does that sound like a hardened killer to you?

If he shoots you, Jess,

you'll be just as dead no matter what he is.

Look, if you're not back by tomorrow night,

I'm coming up there looking for you.

Sure.

So long.

As soon as Madox came into town,

I sent a wire asking about him.

That--

That answer just came from a marshal friend of mine over in Colorado.

He doesn't think much of Madox.

He does say the man's word is law

in the town that this family owns.

What about Laramie, Mort?

Well, that's a judgment

we're gonna have to make ourselves.

I don't like the man's attitude or his methods.

Listen, if Jess is able to bring Viktor in,

would you give him protection?

You bet I would.

If there's any evidence of a mistrial,

I'd do anything I could

to get a change of venue for him.

Madox will be heading up those canyons

with the army climbers tomorrow.

I better stick with 'em.

Sure wish you would. I can't go,

but somebody's got to ride herd on Madox.

Especially with Jess involved in it.

That's what I was thinking.

Take care of yourself.

Did you find me at the bottom of the cliff?

No, on a ledge halfway down.

And you picked me up and carried me here?

Well, if the posse came back, they would see you.

And I did not want to risk them finding my cave,

and you were very close to it.

My name is Jess Harper, Viktor.

Mr. Harper.

I came looking for you to take you back to Laramie

before Madox puts a bullet in you.

Why do you want to stop him?

'Cause of what you did for Mike.

Oh, the little boy.

That's right.

Madox has got a team of army mountaineers looking for you.

You'll never be able to stand up against them.

I still face the hanging rope, and I'm an innocent man.

At least you'll be alive to prove it.

That is too late for that.

The judge, the court was told lies

and the jury and the witnesses were all paid by Madox.

How come?

I had refused to sell my farm to Madox's father.

And he tried to run me off,

and I had to kill him in self-defense.

And what about the farm?

They auctioned it off to Madox for one dollar.

Nobody dared to bid against him.

You had gold pieces, as I recall, quite a few.

The night before they were going to hang me,

I broke out of the jail.

And while they were looking for me,

I found a way into the Madox feed store.

And I took a fair price for my farm,

minus one dollar.

No, Mr. Harper,

I cannot let you or anybody else take me in.

Does that mean I can't leave here?

That's right, unless Madox gives in.

You're sure the children are all right?

Now don't worry about them.

They're getting on famously with Mike.

And we have a neighbor staying with them

until Slim and I get back.

Maybe it was silly of me

to ask Slim to drive me out here tonight,

but we were both very worried about Jess.

I've told you the truth about him.

Believe me.

I do.

We believe you, Mrs. Viktor.

We're just hoping that your husband's hatred for Madox

isn't turned on Jess.

Oh, no.

I don't think so.

Emil is really a very gentle man.

It's only that he's been driven into a corner.

Why, facing the same thing, any man would strike back.

Nobody is blaming him for that.

Especially if he's innocent.

Were you headed for Canada?

Yes.

We didn't know what else to do.

No matter where we go,

someone working for Madox seems to find us.

We were hoping we'd evaded them this time.

And as soon as we had enough supplies,

we were leaving...

for good.

Now...

Don't give up hope.

You have everything to live for.

Those fine children,

and from what you say, a fine man for a husband.

There are not many like you...

who would say that.

Now don't you worry.

I'll be sticking close to Madox tomorrow.

And right now Jess is doing all he can

to save your husband.

You're not in this alone any longer.

Don't be a fool!

Somebody's being a fool and it's not me, Viktor.

You don't know what you ask.

Madox will not stop until he sees me dead!

Here, come, Mr. Harper.

You shouldn't have tried that.

You'll need to save your strength.

The way my leg's beginning to feel,

it's gonna take more than strength

to get me through this.

It was foolish for you to come here.

I will never surrender to Madox.

I'm not asking you to do that.

Surrender to me.

Our lawmen will do all they can for you.

We'll get you a new hearing, maybe even a new trial.

You don't know Madox like I do.

He would find some way to stop you.

Even if he has to shoot me through the bars of my cell.

We wouldn't let him do that.

That is easy to say, my friend.

No, if I do not get away to Canada,

it can only end in death for me or for Madox.

The sergeant wants to start back down.

We can make it before nightfall.

This is no time to quit.

You might as well face facts, Madox.

Only reason you and I are up this far is

because they got us here.

If you want to spend the night hanging onto a rock,

well, go ahead.

[ sighs ]

Air really sharpens a man's appetite.

You'll get used to it, third or fourth day.

Is it gonna take that long to find Viktor?

Well, could be longer, Mr. Sherman.

I've seen those canyons up there.

A really good climber could hide out for a long time.

What I've heard about Viktor,

he's a lot better than just good.

That's not gonna make Mr. Madox very happy.

Somehow it doesn't bother me very much.

I'm fed up with this waiting around.

There isn't much choice, is there?

You couldn't do much better than them

for tracking him down.

I could, if I knew where to look.

When things quiet down,

I'm gonna take a little hike over to see Viktor's wife.

If Sherman notices I'm gone,

you keep him here any way you have to, huh?

Sure.

You suppose she's gonna tell you anything?

When I'm through with her, she will.

How did you get past the guards in the canyon?

They were asleep.

Madox pays for obedience, but not for loyalty.

Oh, he's burning up with fever.

Yeah.

That's why I brought him here.

I hope you could help him.

Oh, Emil, poison has set in.

Yeah.

And if he dies, I'm to blame.

He should get to a doctor.

I can only do so much.

I don't-- I don't have any medical supplies.

If I go into town,

that is exactly what Madox wants.

Well, then I will.

By the time you get the horses hitched to the wagon,

I'll have his bandage changed.

Hurry, Emil.

Harper wants me to give myself up.

Do you think I should?

Oh, I don't know.

Sometimes I wonder where this will all end.

If Madox finds me, it will end.

I would like to believe what Harper says,

but we don't really know him.

No, but we do know Madox.

Hitch up the team, Emil.

I can get him into town alone.

Thank you.

Where's Madox?

He said he was going for a walk.

Toward the old ranch house?

I wouldn't know, Sherman.

As long as you're gonna worry about it,

why don't you sit on that log there

where I can keep an eye on you.

I think he's better.

I cleaned his leg and gave him what medicine I had.

Ah, we should have some blankets in the back of the wagon.

I'll get them.

And there's some hot coffee.

You look like you could use some.

Just keep your hand on that cup of coffee, Viktor,

like it was gonna be your last.

Looks like I wasted a lot of time up in those canyons.

I should have stayed right here in the first place.

You two going somewhere in that wagon?

If you are, I'd just forget about it.

Do whatever you want with me...

but leave Lorena alone.

She's in it too far to get out now.

She aided the escape of a murdering fugitive.

I did not murder.

That's not what the judge and jury said.

VIKTOR: Because they were in your pay.

You are buying yourself a license to kill.

Sure, I was. And I was making certain

that the man who killed my father would pay for it.

I shot him in self-defense, and you know that.

I don't care how you did it or why.

I only know it was done, and you're answering for it now.

VIKTOR: Now wait.

I am begging you, do not hurt Lorena.

Not a chance, Viktor, not a chance.

- No, Viktor, no! - Emil, don't!

You saw what he was just going to do. Why shouldn't I kill him?

If you pull that trigger, you're no better than he is.

He's right, Emil.

He saved your life and mine. Listen to him.

I heard what he said about your trial.

I guarantee you, you can get a new one.

While I'm waiting for a new trial,

what is to stop him from trying to kill us again?

The law, Viktor, Sheriff Cory, Slim, me,

everybody in town that believes in justice.

All right, we try your justice.

Good.

I hope it does not fail.

Now if you'll get me to a doc, I'd sure appreciate it.

Yeah.

What about him?

We can tie him up.

It'll give us time to get to town.

We'll be safe there.

Safe, yeah.

I hope.

How does it look, doc?

He'll make it all right.

It's a good thing Mrs. Viktor took care of him when she did.

I got a feeling we haven't seen the last of Mr. Madox.

Don't worry so much, Mort.

He's not likely to start anything here in town.

Maybe, but when I tell him I'm holding Viktor

while he appeals his case,

I don't think he's gonna like it very much.

Yeah, but when the US Marshal in Colorado

finds out what I heard Madox popping off about,

Viktor's sure to get a new trial.

Maybe the whole thing will be dismissed.

That's what I mean, Jess.

Madox just might figure it that way, too,

and go all out to get Viktor.

He's right, Mr. Harper.

Madox is not the kind to give up.

His men must have found him. Here he comes now.

[ horses approaching ]

You better keep off that leg, Jess, I mean it.

You shouldn't have done such a good job, doc,

I wouldn't be able to argue with you.

You must be careful, you know.

I'll do that, ma'am.

With a little help.

You got more grit than brains.

Must not be too bad if Slim's with them.

I don't know, Mort.

Looks like they took his iron away.

Come on, Viktor.

I'll talk to him, Jess, you back me up.

Don't you take any chances, Mort.

He's liable to be a little edgy

over that pitcher I busted on his skull.

Doc, you better take Mrs. Viktor

back there in the cells, just in case.

I'm as good with a rifle as handing out pills, Mort.

You better listen to him, doc.

If this gets any worse, you're gonna be needed

for more than just handing out pills.

I want Viktor, sheriff. Now.

He's in custody, Madox.

You can stop worrying about him now and go cool off.

I'm taking him with me.

Viktor's staying in Laramie, Madox.

I heard you admit to paying off the judge and the jury.

He's gonna get a new trial now.

A fair one.

If you're the one that slugged me, Harper,

I'll take care of you later.

But right now, I want Viktor.

He's my prisoner, Madox, and he stays that way.

Sergeant, I want the fugitive I came for.

Get him.

He's already in custody, sir.

That's all I was ordered to do for you.

We'll be going back to the fort now.

Sergeant, I'll report this to your commanding officer.

So will I, Mr. Madox, just as soon as I get there.

All right, spread out and follow my lead.

They're not gonna stop us.

SLIM: You won't get away with this, Madox.

Oh, I think I will, Sherman.

Especially when I tell them

Caleb's gonna put a bullet through you,

unless Viktor shows himself.

Now just a minute.

You don't expect me to gun him in front of all these witnesses?

For $500 more, I figured you'd be glad to.

I guess you figured right.

I got some good guns out here, sheriff.

One of them is pointed right at your friend, Sherman.

Now if Viktor is not out here in ten seconds

that gun's going off.

He's bluffing, Mort.

You ought to know by now I'm not one to bluff.

[ gun cocks ]

Now get Viktor out here, and quick.

Emil.

Thank you for being so good to us.

DAISY: You are more than welcome.

We're sorry you're leaving,

but I can imagine that you're eager to be on your own again.

I can't tell you how good it is to be free,

to go where you want to go.

Now that the charges against you are dismissed,

I can't figure why you want to go to Canada, Emil.

Big country, not unlike my homeland.

And we will miss our good friends here,

but it would be so good to start over again.

Well, I can't blame you for that,

and I wish you a lot of luck.

I-- I will not soon forget

what you and Slim have done for us.

You did a couple of things for us we won't forget,

and the folks who live in that town in Colorado

they used to call Madox.

Used to? Have they changed the name?

No, not officially,

but since the government uncovered

so much about the Madox family and Emil's fake trial,

they're thinking about calling the town Viktorville.

Oh.

- So long. - Bye.

- Bye. - Bye.

Bye.