Original subtitles

[ Train Whistle Blowing ]

[ Brakes Squealing ]

[ Virginian ] Morning, Frank.Morning.

Say, you wouldn't happen to have a letter there from Judge Garth, would you?

Want to wait a minute? And I'll check.Sure.

Yep, here it is. I didn't know he was out of town.

Yeah, big cattle sale. Cheyenne.

[ Whistle Blowing ]

No sign of him, huh?

Oh, he'll show up.

Yeah, probably when I least expect it.

You gotta admit. Abe Clayton always was full of surprises.

I can't deny I had heard that about him.

Well, I'll be in town most of the day. Maybe I'll see you later.

[ Murmurs ]

Paperwork. There was a time a man wore a badge, he did law work.

Now he's got to be a bookkeeper.

Not yet, huh?

Nope.

That ought to keep you happy for another day.

Yes, it does.

Anytime you want to take that chip off your shoulder, it's all right with me.

Why don't you stop acting like I put a nest of rattlers in your desk?

I'm a lawman. Abe Clayton is a known thief and killer.

Now, you made the comparison to a rattlesnake, not me.

Emmett, I was elected by this town because the people trusted me to do my job.

When I asked you to stay on as my deputy, it was because I trusted you to do yours.

Abe Clayton was as tough as they come.

Was, not is.

Not anymore. In his last letter, he sounded like--

Well, he sounded like a-- a kid; a prison-broken, harmless old man.

Oh, now I'm supposed to feel sorry for him. Is that it?

Because prison isn't some fancy hotel?

You feel any way you want.

Just let me do the same.

All right, Emmett. All right.

But I still won't say you were right sending for him.

And if you'd asked me in the first place, I'd have told you so.

That's why I didn't ask you.

[ Door Opens ]

Something I can do for you?

Yeah. I'm lookin' for a woodpecker by the name of Emmett Ryker.

Abe Clayton.

That's what they call me.

Time was when I wouldn't be flattered to have a sheriff recognize me so fast.

Guess I'll have to get used to it, huh? [ Chuckles ]

Well, Emmett around?He's around town someplace. He ought to be back soon.

Good.You want to wait here for him?

Oh, no, thanks, Sheriff.

I don't want to wait around any jail anymore for anybody.

I'll dig him up. Eh--

Say, uh, we met before, ain't we?

Yeah, once.

Denver.

Denver?

You said four words to me.Yeah?

You said, "We'll meet again, mister."

Well, looks like I was right, eh, Sheriff?

[ Chuckles ] Well, I'll be seein' you. Bye-bye.

[ Gunshots ]

Hey, you darn fool!

Old man, don't you... know any better than to go disturbing the peace...

in a quiet town on a quiet afternoon?

Boy, you know better than to call me an old man.

[ Grunting ]

All right![ Chuckles ]

Pop. Pop Clayton.

Who were you expecting-- Jesse James?[ Laughs ]

[ Laughs, Coughs ]

Where you been? I mean, why didn't you-- Why didn't you take the train?

Well, can't we go someplace where it's more private, huh?

We sure can. Come on. Pop, you had me worried. You--

I suppose that old boy is who I think he is.

That's him.

Just a prison-broken, harmless old man.

[ Chuckles ]

I hope it'll be all right.Oh, real fine, Miz Crandall.

I want to thank you for holding it for me. I appreciate it.

Well, real good to see you, Pop. Real good.

It's good to see you too, Emmett.About time. Where you been?

Oh, just breathin' the air, boy.

Just... feelin' the sun, watchin' people smile, listening to kids laugh.

[ Laughs ] You know, I met every train for three weeks.

Yeah, but train's got doors too, Emmett.

Nah. I guess you don't know what I'm trying to say.

Oh, sure I do, Abe. Yeah, I-I understand.Yeah.

Eh, sort of a fancy room, huh?

It's a nice little town you got here.

Nice, uh, bank and everything.

[ Laughs ] Including guards and a good strong lock on that safe.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Well, well. [ Murmurs ]

[ Groans ]Well, just a job, Abe, like anything else, you know.

Yeah, but not for a Clayton.

I'm not a Clayton, Pop.That's what you say.

Come on! What do you say? You gonna buy me a drink?I sure am.

Good.But not for a while though. You're looking kind of tired.

Kind of tired. Why don't you, uh-- Why don't you get some of this trail dust off of you?

I'll tell you what. I'll pick you up in a couple of hours.

I'll take you over to the livery stable, introduce you to Tom Sardo.

He's the fella you're gonna be working for.Yeah.

Well, whatever you say, Emmett.Yeah, okay.

And, uh, by the way, Abe,

you, uh-- you won't be needing that gun.

Oh? Is-- Oh, is that an order?

No. Uh, it's just that times have changed, Abe.

You'd be surprised to find out...

how many people don't find it necessary to wear guns anymore.

Oh?

[ Door Closes ]

How'd it go?

He's still quite a man, John.

I noticed.

[ Chuckles ] Well, he got me out in the street in a hurry, didn't he?

It'll take him a little while to get used to the outside... maybe.

But I'll stick pretty close to him for a day or so, you know.

In the morning, I'll get him started on the new job,

take him around town here, introduce him to some folks.

Not tomorrow you won't.

That federal prisoner we have back there-- you're taking him to Martinville in the morning.

What do you mean? Tomorrow morning?That's been the plan, hasn't it?

Yeah, well, John, I, uh-- I can't do that to this man.

I mean, I asked him down here. Then to disappear for a week?

I should be here, John. Get him off on the right foot.

I'll see to it he meets Tom Sardo, gets started on his job,

if that's what's bothering you.

Uh, no. I'll, uh--

I'll take care of it now.

John?Yeah?

Give him a chance, will you?

Sure. You get some sleep. You got a long, hard ride ahead of you tomorrow.

[ People Chattering ]

[ Clears Throat ] Mrs. Crandall said I'd probably find you here.

I thought you were going to wait for me in your room.

Well, it got kind of stuffy in there.

Is there something wrong, Abe?

Well, yeah, Emmett.

About that job--It's a good job, Abe.

Yeah, but in a livery stable?

Pitchin' hay, sweepin' floors.

It's a good job. It's an honest job.

[ Chuckles ]

That's quite a recommendation for Abe Clayton.

So, times change, eh?

What about men?

Well, they change with the times, Abe.

If they don't--

[ Clears Throat ] I, uh, have some bad news, Abe.

I have to go out of town tomorrow morning.

Ah, be gone for about a week.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I'll tell you what. Why don't we just walk over to the livery stable now?

Right now. And I'll introduce you to Tom and then--

No, no, no. You go on right ahead. Don't worry about me.

Or don't you think I'm able to walk over there and tell him who I am?

I think you can do anything you want to.

And don't you forget that.

Well, you take care of yourself until I get back then, you old buzzard.

[ Chuckles ] And, uh, you stay out of trouble.

Uh--

Hey, Emmett?

Don't try to plan every move for me, boy.

I've had folks doing that for me for the past 10 years.

Yeah, I know. I know, Abe. I--

You have yourself some fun. I'll, uh, see you when I get back.

[ Sighs ]

[ Chattering ]

[ Scoffs ]

[ Grunting ]

[ Exhales ]

Hoo!

Boy, she sure must be somethin' special.

You got enough of that goo on your hair to grease a wagon axle.

You're supposed to slick up a little bit for a church social.

But I guess you wouldn't know about that, Belden.

Well, I did have somethin' just a little bit different on my mind for tonight.

About as different as what?Well, that depends on how much money you're gonna lend me.

Me loan-- You just got paid! What do you do with your money?I'm glad you asked.

It shows that you're interested. There's the $10 that I paid for these boots,

the four I owed Trampas, six I lost in the poker game, $1.75--

All right, all right. I'll do it.You have real heart, sir.

It's easier to loan it to you than stand here and listen to you all night, Belden.

I've got things to do.You sure have.

Aren't you going to get dressed for the social?

Seeing as how I'm not going, I don't think I will.

And the rest of you are gonna stay home tonight for a change too.

- [ Cowhands Muttering ] - Betsy's expecting me to dance with her.

Betsy can take care of herself. Our cattle can't.

I just got the confirmation from Judge Garth. He made the sale.

We start roundin' those cattle up first thing in the morning.Hey!

- What's the big rush? - The delivery date. That's part of the deal.

It's gonna figure out pretty close. That means we work day and night, seven days a week,

till we get those cattle on the cars.

After that, we'll all make up for it on me.

Right now, you'd better turn in. We roll out first thing in the morning.

[ Chattering ]

Roll out early. Hmm!Hey, how about that money I loaned you?

Money? Oh, no. I make it a policy-- I never lend money to a friend.

[ Exhales ]Come on. You won't be needing it for a while.

Well, with that attitude, you qualify. You ain't no friend.

[ Grunts ]

[ Man ] Did you ever stop to think how much money that represents?

All that prime beef on the hoof.

How many cattle cars did you say?

Well, that's gonna take some figurin' out,

and we won't know exactly until they're all rounded up.

But one thing for certain--

there's gonna be more cattle cars here than ever before.

Well, you gonna have breakfast with me or what?

Well, Emmett said he'd have Clayton here the first thing in the morning.

What time you got? Let's give him 10 more minutes.

[ Cattle Mooing ][ Man Shouts ]

[ Whistles ]Whoa!

[ Bawling ][ Blusters ]

[ Mooing Continues ]

Hey, boss!

Come on!

[ Gun Clatters ]

[ Whinnies ]

[ Gunshots ]

[ Horse Approaching ]

Howdy. Howdy.

I was, uh, moving some cattle up beyond the ridge. I heard the shooting.

Oh, you with that Shiloh spread over there?

Foreman.

Oh.

Yes. Nice to meet ya. Clayton's the name.

Yeah, I know. Emmett's a friend of mine.

Oh.

Oh. [ Chuckles ] I guess you must think I'm a darned old fool.

Man's got a right to practice with a gun if he feels like it.Yeah.

Come out here often?Oh, I live here.

Here on the Rainey place?Used to be the Rainey place.

You might call it the Clayton place now.

You don't have any objection, do you?No, of course not.

That's good. You drop in anytime. I like to be neighborly.

Thanks.

If you, uh-- If you filed on this place, you're gonna have to work it to keep it.

Plan on running some beef?Yeah, a little beef, a little farming maybe.

All by yourself?

Oh, no, I'm not that foolish. [ Chuckles ] I'll need some help.

I reckon I can rustle up some help somewhere.

Well, we'll be seeing you.

- You're about a day early. - I rode hard.

- Everything go all right? - Delivered the prisoner. Got a receipt.

Sit down and rest your bones. Coffee's hot.

- I'll, uh, see you later. - Emmett, we ought to talk a bit.

If you don't mind, John, later.

[ Gunshots ]

And he didn't say a word?That's right.

But I heard some talk, something about filing on the old Rainey homestead.

Mm-hmm.Mr. Ryker?

Uh, there's the matter of one week's rent.

Oh, yeah. Yeah, I suppose there would be.

Rita?

- Emmett! - [ Bucket Splashes ]

[ Ryker Laughing ]Whoo!

Oh, hey! Hey, hey!

Mm-mmm! Hey, Rita Collins.

[ Chuckles ] You're a grown woman now, huh?

Well, I sure hope so! If not, I wasted quite a few years.

Quite a few is right, yeah! [ Chuckles ]Don't you say that!

Another minute, you're gonna be figuring out how old I am.Yeah, but why did you--

I mean, how did you--Uh, uh. Uncle Ben brought me.

Uncle Ben? Uh, Ben Clayton? He's here?

Yeah. Come on. See for yourself!

Wait! Quit yanking my arm!

I can still whip you.Oh, yeah. Like that time you blacked my eye?

You bloodied my nose first, remember?Oh, yeah, I did.

Oh! You coming?

Hey! Is this what y'all been waiting for?

[ Birds Twittering ]

Hi, Emmett! Doggone it!

I told the boys you'd be around the minute you got back. [ Chuckles ]

Well, what do you think, huh?

Your whole doggone family, just the way you left us!

Yeah, just like when I left.

Well? Anybody gonna say hello?

Good to see you, Emmett. It's been a long time.

[ Exhales ]

That's right, Uncle Ben. A long time.

Eh, howdy, Emmett.

Vance.

Sorry to hear about your pa.

Well, Dad always said he was gonna out fast and easy.

Yeah. Huh! Well, eh--

Come on, Emmett. Sit down, sit down. Dig in.

We only got beans, but that's all that a decent family can offer you.

Hey, Rita, come on. Fetch another plate.

Well, I, eh-- I bet you're surprised, eh?

Yes, that's right. I'm surprised.

Eh? Didn't I tell you? I told you he'd be surprised.

What, uh-- [ Exhales ] What are all of you doing here?

Oh, you mean, you can't figure it out, huh? [ Chuckles ] It's a reunion.

It's a family reunion, boy.

Yeah, maybe you and Rita ain't blood, but you're still family.

We're all family here.Not all.

Oh, Emmett, I want you to meet Lee Darrow.

- We've met. - [ Abe ] Oh, that's right. You two have met, haven't you?

You was on opposites sides in a range war or something?

[ Lee ] No, we was on the same side.

If we'd have been on opposite sides, I might've ended up killing him.

Provided I turned my back long enough for you to get a good shot.

Oh.

Maybe this family would like to be alone together for a while.

[ Scoffs ]

[ Door Slams ]

That was uncalled for, Emmett.

Hey, you know? You ain't changed one bit in 15 years.

Come on, boy. Sit down. Have a cup of coffee.

You know, that's right.

You haven't-- You haven't changed a hair in 15 years.

Yes, I have, Pop.

[ Coffee Pot Clatters ]I've changed.

Let's hope we all have.

[ Chuckles ]

[ Laughter ]

You were there, Ben. You remember.

Here was this scrawny little button of a kid out there on a limb over the crick...

you know, lookin' right down that possum's throat.[ Ben Laughs ]

- [ Chuckles ] - Then that old bull possum, he lets go with one of these--

[ Hisses ] You know? And-- [ Chuckles ]

Emmett takes one look at that mess of teeth...

and he lets go, and-- splosh!

[ Laughing ]

Oh! If you ever saw a wet chicken comin' out of a mudhole!

[ Laughing ]

[ Laughs ] Oh, you were so proud of those new boots.

And every time you took a step,

the muddy water squirted up alongside your ears!

You used to sleep with those boots, remember?

[ Ben ] He said to me one time when they were still new--

He said, "Uncle Ben"-- He says, "These boots and Pop Clayton,

I'm gonna have them for the rest of my life, both of 'em."

Ah, he did, did he? Eh, did you, Emmett?

Hey, whatever become of those boots?

I outgrew 'em the next year.

[ Footsteps Pacing ]

[ Birds Twittering ]

Where'd you find him? I don't like him around here.

Emmett, I don't tell you who to like or dislike.

You're just gonna have to get used to Lee.We're getting married.

When?

[ Chuckles ] I don't know, but you'll be invited.

What do you know about Lee Darrow?

You've been away a long time. This is something I decided on.

Don't try to interfere.

[ Exhales ]

Well, so now you're a big rancher. [ Chuckles ]

You decided yet how you're going to make a living here?

Oh, I'll-- I'll-I'll figure out a way.

What happened to the job at the livery stable?

I-- I told you not to plan too much for me.

All right. Hey, now. Wait a minute.

Where you going? We're just getting started.

You forget, I got a paying job here.

[ Chuckles ] You and your job!

Suppose I said it was really more than that, that it means something to me.

Well, then, boy, I say...

you keep it, no matter what anybody says.

Ain't too many things that mean much to a man these days...

except maybe pride and self-respect.

And if a man finds one more thing, then he should keep it,

hold on to it for dear life.

Well, thanks for the coffee.

Next time, I'll try to do better.

See you later.

[ Door Closes ]

[ Horse Departing ]

Is he in or out?

He's out.

But he's still one of us.

You remember that.

[ Hooves Clopping ]

Hi, uh, find him?

Mm-hmm.

Is he all right?

Mm-hmm.

Are you?

[ Coffee Pot Clanks ]Tired. That's all.

Did you know he quit his job, filed on the old Rainey place?

Yeah, you'd know.

Well, you have to understand, John.

All those years, cooped up in a cell--

four steps one direction and three steps the other.

And then I put him in that rooming house.

It must have been as if he never got out.

You have to understand that.

Mmm. You been out there?No.

Well, then there's something you don't know.

You mean that he's not alone?

You're not giving me much credit for brains.

They've been comin' through here one at a time.

Girl was over at the general store. Bought enough supplies for six or seven.

There are only five.

Maybe they were expecting someone else to join 'em.

- Meaning me? - You were with them once before.

As a boy-- when he gave me all the love that he had in him...

at a time when I-- I needed him most.

Well, now he needs it back.

I'm going to turn in. By the way--

Did you hear about the Shiloh cattle sale?

Probably the biggest single shipment ever to go out of Medicine Bow.

What about it? Oh, just thinking.

In the old days, a herd that size...

would have been a temptation to any cattle rustler within 200 miles.

[ Mooing ]

[ Men Shouting, Whistling ]

[ Whistling ] Ho!

Hey. Looking for a job, cowboy?

Yours or theirs?Huh! What's the difference?

Well, theirs is too much like work.

How's it going?So far, so good.

Anything unusual? I mean, any strangers nosing around here, or--

No. Why?Ah, no reason.

Just acting like a lawman.

Well, I'll see you around.

[ Knocking ]

Anybody home? Abe?

Rita?

[ Horse Nickers ]

Oh, hello, Emmett. How are you?Where is everyone?

Well, Rita's around somewhere.

Ben, uh, how long you planning to be here?Oh, I don't know, Emmett. Why?

You have a ranch. You'll have to get back to it sooner or later.

Well, it's just a small spread, boy. It'll hold.

But for how long?

It's startin' to sound, Emmett,

like you're tellin' me to get out.

That's what I'm telling you. I want you to take Abe with you. I know, I asked him here.

But, uh, that's because I thought I could help him.

Now I think you can help him more.

Emmett, this family of Abe's means a lot to him.

Ben, I'm a deputy sheriff in the town of Medicine Bow. You're a successful rancher.

Now, what family is he talking about-- us or Vance and Lee Darrow?

Anything you have to say about Lee you can say to his face.

This is Pop's home.

You have no right to try and run anybody off.

This reunion's no good, Rita, and-- and you both know that.

- We don't know anything of the kind. - Then I'll explain it to you.

I sat in there at that table, and I listened to him. It was as if I was 15 years old.

I was 15 years old! It was the old days all over again.

He talks about things he remembers to people who love him...

and who'll listen to him.

That's all he has.

If you want to take it away from him,

why don't you tell him to get out?

Because I don't want to hurt him.Well, neither do we.

I don't want to see him get killed either, Rita.

And that's what could happen if he gets to thinking...

he can bring those old days back again.

I don't think that'll happen.Well, be sure.

Break this meeting up before any of you make any big mistakes.

Does that include me?

Well, I can't live your life for you, Rita.

But you might be making the biggest mistake of all.

[ Horses Approaching ]

Hi, Emmett! Come on in!

Where's Rita?

[ Grunting, Groaning ]

Lee!

[ Blows Landing ]

[ Abe ] All right, break it up!

Break it up, I say! Break it up!

Hold it!

Hold it, I say, now, the both of you!

You made a mistake, mister. You're gonna join our family, you better learn it.

There's one thing a Clayton never has done and never will do,

and that's point a gun at another Clayton.

All right, you take this. Go on. Get in the house. Go on!

This is my place, Emmett.

I say who stays here.

You come back, you remember that, and you behave yourself accordin'.

Emmett! [ Door Slams ]

I don't know what it is between you and Lee.Well, maybe you oughta know.

He's not good enough for you, Rita.

How do you know what's good enough for me? What do you know about me at all?

I'm not that little girl that used to tag behind you listening to every word you said.

What happened to that little girl?

She grew up in a rotten big world full of big rotten people--

[ Exhales ] working in honky-tonk saloons for tips.

You wrote me you were working in a-- in a millinery shop.

[ Chuckles ] Did I?

Long ago, I got in the habit of saying whatever I thought people wanted to hear.

Well, I'm sorry.

But there are still other men in the world besides Lee Darrow.

[ Inhales Sharply ] That's right.

Lots of men.

I met 'em.

Lee's the one asked me to marry him.

What was that all about?It was my fault.

Yeah. Ben?

He feels trouble building, Abe. He wants to keep you out of it.

You didn't tell him anything?

No.

He's a good boy.

He always was a good boy.

[ Mooing ]

Howdy.Hi.

[ Man ] Hyah!You ought to change your mind about taking that job with us.

As much time as you're spending out here, you ought to at least get your dollar a day.

I'll settle for a cup of coffee if it's hot.Help yourself.

You're building up a big herd out here.

When do you ship?Next Thursday, with a default payment if we don't make it.

Thursday.

What's on your mind, Emmett?Now, what could be on my mind?

I don't know.

How's, uh, Abe Clayton sound for a wild guess?

What's he like?

[ Man Whistles ] Ho!

Well--

Well, I'll tell you. [ Clears Throat ]

Someday, uh, you're in a saloon and a... fella comes up to you.

And this fella offers you a 10-ounce sack of gold...

for the price of a drink.

And, uh, you open the sack.

You look him square in the eye, and you say, "Mister, this gold is just plain desert sand."

And at first he gets mad at you because you-- you called him a liar, see?

And then he laughs, and he says it's all a joke.

And you end up buying him that drink and a couple more to boot.

[ Laughs ] You've just run into Abe Clayton.

Sounds like you think a lot of him.

Well, you don't think a lot of a man like Abe. You--

You love him or you hate him. You see, he, uh-- He took me in when I was 12.

My father was dead. I was alone, scared,

no idea what was coming next.

And I didn't have to tell him how I felt.

He just knew.

Where was this? You-You can name just about any place.

We, uh-- We moved around some.

Took a couple of years before I realized why.

But pretty soon, I got too old not to realize.

We were outlaws. I rode out.

[ Clears Throat, Exhales ]

Sounds like it was the only thing to do.

Yeah, maybe.

But maybe if I'd have stayed, I could have...

stopped Abe from spending the last 10 years of his life in prison.

I wonder.

[ Horse Blusters ]

Sometimes there are things that can't be stopped, no matter how hard you try.

That's the way things have to be, I guess.

Or because people are the way they have to be.

Still, if I had to do it over again--

What?

Thanks for the coffee.

You headin' back to town?No.

I'm gonna run an old man out of the territory...

and hope he believes me when I tell him it's hurting me more than it is him.

- [ Knocking ] - Come on in. It's open, same as always.

I, uh, want to talk to you.

You go right ahead.

Are you listening?

I'm listening.

- Maybe you'd prefer I left. - No.

No. Matter of fact, this was your idea.

You're the one who said I should tell him. All right, I'm-- That's what I'm gonna do.

- Tell me what? - Oh, it's just something between us, Pop.

[ Ryker ] No, it isn't just between us, Rita.

I, uh--

I yelled at her pretty good today.

Well, if families ain't for yelling at each other, what good are they?

You two did a bit of yelling at each other...

while you were growin' up, didn't you? [ Chuckles ]

Not really--

except the time old Beeler chased me through his watermelon patch...

with a pitchfork, ran me all the way home.

Nah, that wasn't Beeler. That was, uh-- That was old Epps.

Epps, yeah. He lived down there along the river. Remember?

Old man Epps. That old galoot. That's the first time I've heard his name in a long while.

Say-- Yeah.

Funny what a man's memory does to him.

Even with 10 years in jail with nothing to do but think,

a man forgets the doggonedest little things.

It's the little things that mean the most.

You know who learned you that saying, don't you?

Oh, don't, Pop, if you'd rather not.

Aw, I been wantin' to talk about her, Rita.

We were all hedgin' around. We know we wanna mention her name.

Ah, the poor dear.

I promised her the moon.

I said I'd buy her a gold carriage with six white horses and, uh--

[ Chuckles ] All she ever got from me was worry and trouble.

It was them 10 years that killed her.

[ Smacks Lips ] That and worrying whether we'd done our best for you and Rita.

You did more than enough. You gave us homes.

You treated us like-- like we were your own.

Oh, you were more than our own.

Sure. You see, when folks don't have kids of their own, why, the--

the ones they take in are a lot more than their own.

Not that I gave you much of a home. [ Chuckles ]

Skipping around from place to place, getting in trouble with the law.

And not even a decent roof over your head most of the time.

No wonder you looked around one morning and decided that you had to get out.

Ahh, I understood.

I even knew it was coming. Sure. You know how?

All of a sudden, you stopped calling me "Pop."

Yeah. All of a sudden, you were 15,

and... I was "Abe."

And that hurt for a long while.

And then I-- I got your wire and that train ticket.

And, boy, it was like coming home again.

You say anything you want. There's...

one thing a person has got to have is a...

place to come home to.

[ Laughs ] Ah, we're moonin' away here about what used to be.

We've got the best part of our lives ahead of us.

And you-- You come all the way out here just to tell me something.

Huh? Well, go ahead, boy.

Spit it out.

Ah, it was nothin', Pop.

Just, uh,

welcome home.

[ Men Hooting, Shouting ]

[ Mooing ]

Get along there!

[ Shouting ]Hyah! Hyah!

Come on! Hyah!Ho! Ho! Hah!

[ Exhales ]Not bad.

A little more practice, and I'll recommend the boss sign you on-- as an apprentice.

"Apprentice cowhand." Heh! It's got a ring to it.

Is that better than "assistant stable swamper"?

No, but you can work your way up.Well, now thank you.

If I ever need a friend, I'll try not to think of you.

[ Mooing Continues ] [ Man Shouting, Whistling ]

Howdy. How's it going?

Pretty good. A few strays. Nothing serious.

We ought to join up with the main herd in a few hours.That's good.

[ Mooing ]

Howdy. You boys looking for something in particular?

We was lookin' at the scenery mostly.

But while we were at it, we figured that this might be a shortcut into town.

Well, there's plenty of scenery around here. But you're headed the wrong direction for town.

This is Shiloh range.

Oh, that's funny. We must have got turned around somehow.

Well, we didn't mean to cause you any trouble, mister. We--

Just take that road there back to the crossroads about a mile and a half. Turn right.

Much obliged.

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

That'll be fine.

You're a little off your course for a weekday, aren't you?

I'm just making the final arrangements for the cattle cars.

We start moving them in as soon as I get back to the herd.

Everything's under control out there, right?

So far. Have you seen Abe Clayton lately?

Oh, not for a day or so. Why?

Last time we talked, you were on your way to run him out of the country.

Yeah. Well, that's easier said than done, you know.

I thought you'd made up your mind which obligation was the most important to you.

I know which one's the most important. I hope so, Emmett.

Because I have obligations, too--

to Judge Garth, men who work for me.

And maybe one that's even more important-- to myself.

-I think you'd better get around to what you want to say. -All right, in simple language.

On three separate occasions, men have been spotted watching the herd.

[ Exhales ] All right. I'll take care of it.

[ Stamps Foot ]

All right.[ Slams ]

You warned me.

The old man's planning something?

The Shiloh herd?It's possible.

Let's go. We'll need extra men--

Wait a minute, John. I don't want you to set a trap.

You can't. I don't want to see that old man killed.

You have a better idea, I'll listen.Yeah, I got an idea. Now listen.

We'll get Judge McDonald to issue four warrants.

Then we'll lock 'em up right here until those cattle are safely loaded into the cars.

That solves our problem today, but what about tomorrow--

some other sheriff in some other town?

If Abe Clayton's planning trouble,

putting it off to some other time won't solve anything.

No, we're gonna do it my way.You're gonna do it your way.

I don't want to see that man killed.

[ Door Slams ]

All right now, you watch 'em good.

You make sure that it's the whole herd moving out, not just part of 'em.

Now, if I don't hear from you in two hours, I'll meet you on the road.

Abe?Come on. Move out.

Abe, if you want to change your mind, now's the time.

Ohh!

Think about it, Abe.

Think about it? I have!

For 10 years I have--

every time a guard hit me in the back with his rifle butt,

every time they said, "We'll break you, Clayton."

They haven't broken me, and I'm good for something better than sweeping out stables.

Was it that bad, Abe?

Oh, you weren't there.

[ Horse Approaching ]

Well, Emmett. Good to see you, boy. Good to see you.

- Is anything wrong? - Where's Lee and Vance?

Well, what would you say if I said they'd gone home?

Then I'd have to say you were lying.

I don't hold with you calling me a liar, boy.

Then don't lie to me!

It's the Shiloh herd, isn't it?

Abe, you really think you can steal that entire herd?

Well, what do you bet I could make a good try at getting half of them?

Half?Yeah, and you could help us if you had a mind.

You could throw away that badge and come on back into the family where you belong.

Would you really want me to?

Pop?

All right, make up your mind, boy. Am I Pop or am I Abe?

You ain't 15 now.

You knew. All the time, I was hoping that what I felt in my bones was wrong.

All the time, I really believed that you and Rita were the--

the only two people I could count on for some common sense.

You knew. Why?

I owe him, Emmett.

You've been straight for 10 years.

Because I was on the outside, where he kept me.

And that's worth your life? That's what it would cost you if I let it go that far.

I owe him, Emmett.

And you can't stop it. When it comes right down to the wire,

you love him as much as any of us do.

You won't fight against him, and you won't put him in jail.

Maybe you're right, Ben. I don't know.

But I will stop him.

Because that's the only way I know... to save his life.

Get your things. You're coming with me.

Where to-- jail?

For one day-- just until this is all over.

Here. Use this.

Go ahead. Pick it up.

Point it me. Tell me I'm under arrest.

And then use it!

'Cause that's the only way you're gonna stop me.

Abe, you-- [ Horse Whinnies ]

[ Galloping Hooves ]

Don't join 'em, Abe.

Don't join 'em.

Because if they come at that herd,

we're gonna be ready for 'em.

Your Prince Charming?

We were involved in a little range war once...

on the same side-- the right side.

Only the right side didn't pay enough for him.

So when the opposition put a bounty on our scalps,

he tried to get rich...

the easy way.

Happy honeymoon.

[ Galloping Hooves ]

[ Man Whistles ] [ Cattle Mooing ]

I, uh, lost 'em.What do you mean?

I mean, they got away from me. I'm sorry. But at least we'll be ready.

- There's only four of 'em. - Three.

Well, it's hard to believe that three men could expect to take a herd this size...

and get away with it. They do.

Abe doesn't know it, but he as much as told me how.

Plan on taking 'em through Red Rock Canyon, don't you?

Shortest route to the railhead.

Once, when I was a kid, there was a trail herd going through a pass.

Abe let 'em get in, then he started a landslide.

Split the herd in half. It was three days before anyone could follow them.

You could take 'em around the long way.I'd lose a day and my schedule.

Nope, it's Red Rock Canyon or nothing.

I'll tell the rest of the men.

[ Horses Approaching ]

All right. Let's ride.

[ Mooing ]

[ Men Hooting, Whistling ]

[ Man ] Hyah!

That's it. Red Rock Canyon dead ahead.

[ Man Whistles ] Hyah!

[ Mooing ] [ Men Whistling, Shouting ]

[ Man Whistles ] Ho!

Hyah!

Come on!

[ Men Shouting, Whistling ]

[ Man Whistling ]

It's gotta be soon.

Once we're through the canyon, it's clear sailing to the railhead.

Hyah.

Whew!

Looks like we were both wrong, Emmett.Eh, looks like it.

Unless--

Tell me, how was that money going to be paid for these cattle?

In cash.On delivery?

No, when loaded. But I wouldn't worry about that. That money was delivered three days ago.

Right now it's sitting in the--Medicine Bow Bank?

[ Gunshots ]

[ Gunshot ]

[ Crowd Chattering ]

[ Chattering ]About 15 minutes ago.

Sam Osborne and Matt Tilford are dead, but Tilford got one before he died.

You know where he's going?I think so.

[ Chattering ]

[ Horse Approaching ]

How could he have found out?

Lee--Just get back against the wall now.

Your own ranch and a good life.

Gone for what?

I told you, Emmett. I owed him. We all did.

Well, you've paid your debt. So have I.

There's one horse missing. Where is he? Oh, yeah. Yeah, now I remember,

He always keeps the money. Split it up later, right?

- [ Gunshot ] - [ Gunshot ]

Where are the others?

Here's Ben Clayton, and there's one in the house.

What about the money?

Abe has it.

Emmett? I'll go with you.

Remember we were talking about obligations?

You said maybe the most important was the one you had to yourself.

I remember.

[ Horse Nickers ]

[ Chuckles ] Well, you gonna sit up there all day...

or step down and rest your saddle?

Looks like dry country up ahead.

You know, you're gettin' careless, boy.

I could watch you following me for miles.

It don't make sense,

you and me playing hare and hound all over the countryside.

I--

I tried so hard--

I tried so hard to keep you out of this.

Yeah, I know.

Well, you come this far, I figure you got something to say.

You just go ahead and say it, boy, and we'll go our separate ways.

We're going the same way, Abe!

Well, good, boy! Good. I'm glad to have you along.

You're under arrest, Abe,

for robbery and murder.

You mean it, don't you? No.

I ain't going back to prison. I'd die there.

Vance died in that street!

And two good men are dead... in that bank.

I just can't let you go, Abe.

You know, you always was a stubborn--

[ Hammer Cocks ]

Not in prison. That ain't my way.

I thought you always said...

no Clayton ever points a gun at another.

I thought you always said you ain't no Clayton.

Maybe we were both wrong.

Now, now, now. Now don't you push me, boy.

I'm sorry, Abe.

[ Groans, Gasps ]

Abe--

Abe, please!

[ Panting ]

Abe?

Pop?

Boy--

That-- [ Exhales ]

That talk we had in the cabin that day.

That was good.

Yeah. That was, Pop.

[ Shudders ] That part's good.

[ Sobbing ]

[ Engine Chugging ]

You could stay on here, you know. There are a lot of good people in this town.

I found that out--

the kindness, in spite of everything.

I think that's what I had to know the most, Emmett.

There are good people in the world. I'd quit believing it.

You could stay on here, you know.

It'd leave me no place to come back to.

I'll be here if you need me.

Thank you.

I'll need you to be here.

[ Whistle Blowing ]

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

I think she's gonna all right.

How about you?

Think it'll clear up?

It always has.

[ Man Announcing ] Produced in color in association with the NBC television network.