Original subtitles

[ People Chattering ]

Beer.

Thanks.

Another.

Don't move.

What's this all about?

You're worth $500, dead or alive.

It's up to you how I get it.

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

You're Bob Coulter. You're wanted for murder.

I've got a description of you in the office.

Let's go.

Wait. I haven't eaten in two days.

I bought a beer. I got a right to a sandwich.

All right, go ahead.

What do you say?Howdy.

Coffee warm?Help yourself.

Uh, Randy said you wanted to see me.Yeah, that's right.

I didn't do it.[ Chuckles ]

I got a fella in jail back there who's wanted in Coulter Junction.

Coul-- An old friend of mine's the sheriff there. Sam Dolan.

Yeah, I know. I've heard you talk about him.

Oh, sure. Why, old Sam was like a second father to me back in the old days.

How'd you like to see him again?

What, is Sam in town?

No, but I thought maybe you'd like to go to Coulter Junction on official business.

What kind of business?

Oh. It wouldn't have anything to do with taking your prisoner back there, would it?

See, Sheriff Brannan's sick in bed, so I can't leave town.

I thought as long as I had to send somebody else down there,

and you and Dolan being good friends--

Well, I'd have to ask the judge if he could spare me.

I already did.

He can. Can you raise your right hand, please?What for?

I gotta deputize you.Dep--

Do you swear to uphold the laws of the territory of Wyoming to the best of your ability?

Well, yo.Good. Put this on.

You can leave as soon as you get ready.

Uh, what I wanted to ask you is, what's he wanted for?

Murder.

Oh.

You wouldn't have any, uh, crooked gamblers or petty thieves that, uh--

Don't worry. He's not very tough.

You said he's wanted for murder.

The victim was a woman.

Seems like you could at least turn me loose to eat.

I like it better this way.

I came this far without giving you trouble, didn't I?

Yeah, but you're getting close to home.

You might start thinking what'll happen when you get there and spook on me.

I wouldn't do that.

That's what you did the first time, isn't it-- got scared and ran?

That's what you told me.

Doesn't matter.

I'm not hungry anyway.

I don't see how I could have done a thing like that.

I'd have sworn--

Said you were drunk, didn't ya? Yes, but--

Well, a man gets liquored up enough, most anything can happen.

But I was in love with her.

I was trying to get up enough courage to tell my father we were gonna get married.

That's what the argument was about.

Look, you'd better not tell me any more.

They ask me what you said, I'll have to tell 'em.

I'm not trying to deny anything.Maybe you will after you see a lawyer.

How can I deny something when I don't even know what happened?

All I can remember after we left the dance is that we got in an argument...

over when I was gonna tell my father.

Kept sayin' I was stallin'.

Finally she started hittin' at me.

Then I remember tryin' to grab her to try to quiet her down.

Well, then I must have passed out.

I'll never forget it if I-- if I live to be a thousand--

waking up and seeing her kinda slouched over in the buggy.

At first, I thought she was asleep.

But she was dead.

That's a laugh, huh?

Me sayin' "If I live to be a thousand."

- Think they'll hang me? - That's not for me to say.

You bein' a lawman, you got some idea.

I'm not a lawman. I was just deputized to take you back there.

Besides, it's hard to say what a jury'll do or a judge'll decide.

Take a guess.

Well, if you didn't mean to kill her-- and they believe you didn't--

chances are they won't hang you.

Be a long time in jail though.

This your father's range?

Yeah.

I expect the best part of Coulter County is, uh, Coulter's range.

Must be a right smart piece of land.

Did he put it all together himself?

He and my mother came into this valley with a buckboard, two mules and a milk cow.

You stick around, you'll hear that story more times than you care to listen.

- Still a piece of work a man can be proud of. - Oh, he's proud.

If my old man's nothing else under the sun, he's proud.

Those your father's men?

Yeah.

[ Horse Whinnies ]

[ Blusters ]

Run off like a dirty coward.

Brought back handcuffed.

I never thought I'd live to see it--

a son of mine.

Did you kill her, boy?

Speak up now!

She was dead. It had to be me.

Were you drunk?

I had nearly a quart of Fat Mike's whiskey that night.

Quart of that stuff would make a stone horse go crazy.

Why'd you run?I don't know.

When I came to and found she was dead, I-- I cut and run.

Time I stopped to think about it,

I was too far away to do anything else but keep on goin'.

You couldn't have done worse by yourself, or by me, if you'd planned it a whole year.

You know that?

Yeah, I-- I know now.

What's your name?

Trampas.

Glad to know you, Trampas.

You know who I am-- Bob Coulter, the boy's father.

Trampas, you know how I stand around here?

No.

People say that my word is as good as a signed paper.

You believe that?I have no reason to doubt it.

What do you think of what this boy of mine did?

Well, from what I know about it,

bad for him, worse for the girl.

It was an accident, wasn't it, her getting killed?

An out-and-out accident.

It's not for me to say.

It was an accident.

And when Judge Porter gets to town, he's gonna agree it was an accident.

He'll let the boy loose on bail.

Well, that may be.

It willbe.

I know the judge well.

He's a fair man.

Now, I'm gonna ask you to turn the boy over to me now.

I can't do that.

I give you my word I'll fetch him into town...

so he'll be there when the judge gets there.

My orders are to deliver him at the jail at Coulter Junction.

The girl's people feel strong about this.

They want a hanging.

I'm not surprised.

That jail in town wouldn't be hard to take apart.

Her people could do it in 10 minutes.

I imagine they'll have to kill a few lawmen doin' it.

We can take that boy if we want him.Back out of this, Jim.

You're saying no. Is that it?

That's it.

That badge is keeping you alive, boy.

Badge or no badge--

if anything happens to my son,

I'll hunt you down and see you dead for it.

All right, Bob, let's go.

Koski.

Get down, Bob.

Sheriff Sam Dolan here?

No.My name's Trampas.

I'm a deputy from Medicine Bow. I brought Sam a prisoner.

Jack Fenton.

This is his gun.

Wallet, knife, watch, money.

So, the bad penny comes home, huh?

Give you any trouble?

No. No trouble at all.

Come on, Bob.

In here.

I'll get word to your father you're here.He already knows.

[ Exhales ] If you want anything within reason, I'll try to get it for you.

For me or for Big Bob?

I don't know if it means anything,

but a couple men over there at that freight office looked mighty unfriendly...

as we rode into town.

Girl's father runs it.

Where's Sam?You knew him?

Well, sure, I--

- What do you mean "knew"? - Sam's dead.

[ Bag Thuds On Desk ]

We buried him three days ago.

How'd he die?

His horse threw him.

A horse killed Sam Dolan?

Well, this wasn't exactly a cow pony.

Smoke's a big stallion with a killer streak.

He's kinda laid back, gentle as a rocking chair, till he lulls you half asleep.

Then it's too late.

Sad thing is most people around here told him that stallion would get him sooner or later.

How'd it happen?

As near as we can figure it,

Sam's foot must have hung up in that stirrup when the horse threw him.

That stallion drug him quite a ways.

- How's Kitty? - You know her?

I used to, uh, six, seven, eight years ago.

She's holding up fine.

Who's taking care of her now?

Well, I've been around to do what's needed.

Kitty and I have had kind of an understanding for quite some time.

I expect we'll be getting married before too long.

I see.

If you want to see her, she's at the house.

It's two blocks down, one block across.

Place with a little white picket fence.Okay, thanks.

Where is he?

If you mean Young Bob, he's locked in his cell.

Bring him out here. I wanna see him. I wanna see if he can look me in the eye.

You'll see him in court, Mr. Koski.

If you won't bring him out here, then take me where he is.

Unlock this.

I told you you'll see him in court.

Girl killer! You're in there!

You hear me!

I make you this promise!

If the court doesn't put a rope around your neck, then Clint Koski will do it!

And all your father's money and all your father's men won't stop me!

Uh, look, mister, uh--

Who is this?His name's Trampas.

He's a deputy from Medicine Bow. Brought Young Bob in.

Then I owe you the reward.

$500 for my daughter's killer.

That's what I promised to pay, and Clint Koski always keeps his promises.

- He put up the reward? - Take it.

I didn't make the arrest. Send it to Emmett Ryker in Medicine Bow.

- That is, if he's guilty. - He's guilty.

Well, the court hasn't said so. Not yet.

The court doesn't have to. Isay so.

Mr. Koski, I understand how you feel.

No, you don't understand.

And you heard me.

Either the law kills him, or I do.

[ Exhales ] [ Door Closes ]

I believe he meant what he said.

He gets the bit in his mouth, he can be tough.

They all can. Those freighters are tough.

Who's that big one? The one with the whip.

That's Hans Wollsack.

When the old man's drivers give him any trouble he can't handle,

he sends Hans to have a talk with 'em.

They quiet right down.Looks big enough to quiet a herd of buffalo.

Well, good luck.

[ Whip Cracks ][ Horse Whinnies ]

[ Whip Cracks ]

Trampas?Hello, Kitty.

Well, where in the world did you come from?

Well, I just got in town.Come in, come in.

Trampas, I'm so glad to see you.

Dad and I talked about you so often.

I'll miss him. There weren't enough like him to go around.

Hey. Hey, now. Sam wouldn't like that, would he?

No.

Another thing he wouldn't like--

I haven't poured you a drink from the bottle he kept for special friends.

Well, now, I could say it's too early in the day,

but, uh, I won't.

Well.

To time, Kitty.

It heals all wounds.

I hope so.

You know, Kitty, uh,

Sam and I talked about death a time or two,

and he always said he wanted it to be quick.

He-He didn't want to linger around sick and helpless.

And he didn't want any sad songs or tears either.

I'm trying, Trampas.

[ Sobbing ] I really am.I know, Kitty, I know.

It's just that it's so hard to realize--

Well, now, there's been some changes while I wasn't lookin'.

Last time I saw you, you were all skinned knees and pigtails.

Bad as that?

Oh, who said bad?

A little leggy, but the promise was there.

You've come on real fine. Prettier'n a little red wagon now.

Where are the freckles?

I never had freckles.

Oh, yes, you did! I counted 400 one day right there on your nose.

Trampas, I never in my life had freckles.

[ Laughs ]

[ Laughing ] I know what you're doing.

Like the time I backed into the bees' nest...

and you made me so mad I forgot how much I hurt.

I'll never forget that.

Oh, you were so darn smart.

Half the time, I wanted to break something over your head.

And the other half,

I wanted you to wear my scarf into battle.

Scarf into battle?

Didn't you know?

That's why I was always underfoot.

You were my Sir Lancelot come to life.

[ Chuckles ] First liar doesn't stand a chance.

Oh, cross my heart, it's true.

[ Snickers ]

I'm glad you're here, Trampas.

I needed someone to make me stop feeling sorry for myself.

That sounds like the girl I knew.

Well, come on. Sit down.

Yeah.

[ Sighs ]

Well, tell me, how did you hear about Dad?

Oh, uh, well, the deputy told me.

Oh? Well, I-- I thought that's what brought you here.

No. No, I was deputized to bring a prisoner here from Medicine Bow.

Bob Coulter.Oh.

Hey, I was happy to hear about you and Fenton.

Must mean a lot to you now.

What do you mean?

Well, he-- he said you two were gonna get married.

Jack Fenton and I?

Well, he certainly takes a lot for granted.

- You mean, you two aren't-- - We certainly are not.

Well, I don't know, Kitty. He seems all right-- a steady kind of man.

Oh, no. He's-- He's spineless.

He not only jumps through hoops for Big Bob Coulter,

it seems he runs around carrying a hoop to jump through!

Kitty, I didn't mean to get you all upset, but--[ Huffs ]

when I talked to him, it sounded like the whole thing was all settled.

I'm sorry, Trampas. It's just that he makes me so angry sometimes.

But that's not your problem.

How long are you staying?

I'll be leaving in the morning. Why?

Did Jack Fenton tell you how Dad was killed?

Well, he, uh,

said that he was thrown from his horse and dragged.

Dad was a wrangler before he was a lawman.

He broke a lot of wild horses in his day,

including the stallion they say killed him.

He thought more of that horse than any horse he'd ever owned.

You think the stallion didn'tkill him?

Isn't it hard to believe? A man like Dad?

Well-- Well, things like that can happen.

The longer I think about it, the surer I am it couldn't happen to Dad.

Yeah, that's funny.

I had the same feeling when I first heard about it, but--

What do you think didhappen?

I don't know.

That's why I was hoping you'd stay and try and find out.

I-I-I don't know, Kitty.

He could've bumped into a-- a wanted man...

or, uh, somebody riding a stolen horse or runnin' a brand.

A lot of things.

Fenton must have looked into all that.

Oh, Jack Fenton.

He doesn't know what he sees or hears or thinks until Big Bob Coulter tells him.

Hmm.

Maybe I'd better have a look at that stallion, find out if he really is a killer...

and slick enough to kill Sam.

I don't think he is.

All right, let's find out. Where is he?

Down at the livery stable corral.

All right. I'll go tell the fella down there...

that you gave me permission to ride him.

Trampas, there's no reason for you to--

Come on. Let's find out if he is a killer or he isn't. Simple as that.

Trouble is, I don't know for sure one way or the other.

The only one sure way to find out, Kitty, is to ride him for a while and see.

I'll keep in touch.

Trampas?Hmm?

Would you have supper with me?You got a deal.

Oh, and be careful.

If Smoke is a killer, I don't want it to happen again.

That makes two of us.

So long, Kitty.

Somethin' I can do for ya?

My name's Trampas. I'm a friend of the Dolans.Glad to know ya.

Uh, you have a stall for him?Sure. In here.

Use this one.

Good enough.

Kitty says you have her father's horse in your corral.

That's right, I have.She gave me permission to try him out.

You want to ride Smoke?

That's the idea.

Thought you said she was a friend of yours.She is.

From way back.

Don't you know that's the horse that killed Sam?Whoa, son.

That's what I heard.

Now, uh, about that stallion.Out here.

[ Horse Whinnying ]There he is.

[ Blustering ]

If you want my advice--Yeah, I know.

He's a bucker, all right.

Worse than that, he'll lay in wait for ya if you ride him.

Wait six months to break your neck.

Sam ride him often?

Wouldn't ride anything else.

Smoke wouldn't let anybody else touch him.

It's a one-man horse.

Wasn't another man in town could even saddle him, let alone ride him.

Well, I'm gonna give him a try.

[ Whinnying Continues ]Good luck.

You'll need it.

Whoa, now, son.[ Blustering ]

[ Whinnying ]

Whoa, now. Whoa.

Whoa, son.

Whoa!

Whoa, now. Whoa, now. Whoa!

[ Whinnying ]Whoa, whoa! Whoa!

Hold on.

Whoa.

[ Whinnying ]

Whoa, now. Whoa.

All right, let me have him.[ Blusters ]

[ Whinnying ]

What do you figure?Come on! Ride him, boy!

[ Men Shouting, Hooting ]

Hang in there! Let him kick! Let him kick![ Shouting Continues ]

[ Whinnying ]

[ Chattering, Shouting ]

Whoa. Whoa!

Ho.[ Whinnying ]

Well, you still got some fight in you, don't you? Still got a little fight in you.

Okay, pard, let's go. Come on! Come on!

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

[ Whinnies ]

Whoa. Whoa.

Whoa, son.

I was beginning to think Smoke had killed himself another one, you've been gone so long.

Well, he had some-- some running to do.[ Chuckling ]

Uh, thanks for opening the gate.

One or both of you was gonna get hurt, you needed some room to spraddle out.

Looks like he's calmed down a little bit now.

Oh, yeah, we did.

You can ride some.Well, he's some horse.

Hey, what are you doing with Dolan's horse?

I was riding him.

Come here. Come here.

And I was also looking at the way Sam Dolan was supposed to have been killed.

What do you mean "supposed to have been"?

Sam Dolan was a better rider than I am.

Smoke couldn't throw me. He must have thought Sam was nailed to the saddle.

What are you trying to do, make it look like I don't know my job?

I never gave that part much thought. I just wanted to find out for myself.

Was it your idea, or was it Kitty's?

It was my idea.

It was on Kitty's mind too.

Go on now! [ Whistles ][ Whinnies ]

Now, I investigated Sam's death thoroughly.

The coroner and the coroner's jury...

investigated and walked over that ground thoroughly.

The verdict was unanimous. That stallion killed Sam Dolan.

I'm not gonna have you making me look like a fool, trying to prove something else.

I don't want to make you look like a fool,

but I am gonna go on looking into it till I'm satisfied.

Not as a lawman, you're not.

That badge you're wearing doesn't mean a thing in this county. You hear me?

Just as you say.

Yes, I examined Sam's body when it was first brought in. Why are you asking?

Well, I--

I imagine Sam's body was-- Well, um--

He was dragged for some distance over rough ground.

What are you getting at?

Well, Doc, I was wondering if there was any possibility...

that Sam was dead beforehe was dragged.

Like maybe he had a heart attack, or--

That thought also occurred to me.

I dismissed it as being most unlikely.

Sam Dolan was a healthy, vigorous man.

The horse is the killer, mister.

There's no need to look beyond the obvious.

Well, Doc, like you said, Sam was dragged for quite a distance.

Can you say for sure he wasn't shot out of the saddle?

No, not for sure.

The lacerations caused by the dragging...

might have obliterated signs of a bullet wound,

depending on where it was, of course.

But again I say, the possibility is extremely remote.

- But it could have happened. - Yes, it could.

Thanks, Doc.

Have you any reason for believing that's what didhappen?

No. No, sir, I don't.

All I know is what I think didn'thappen.

Good day, sir.Good day.

I want a room.Yes, sir.

For how long, sir?I don't know yet.

You.

Mr. Coulter wants to talk to you.

In the dining room.

Your key, sir.

[ People Chattering ]Well, hello, Trampas.

Sit down. Let me buy your supper.

Uh, no, thanks. I've got a date.Already?

[ Chuckling ] Well, you must work fast.

She's a friend, an old friend.

Well, sit down for a few minutes. I won't keep you long.

Here you are, sir.Oh, uh, give that to him.

No reason why my boy can't eat well while he's in jail.

Thanks for the meal, Mr. Coulter.

My pleasure, Fenton.

Well, now, I talked to my boy a little while ago.

He tells me that you were good to him on the trail here.

Well, he behaved himself.

I'm glad to hear that. That proves that he's a good lad.

It's a shame this accident had to happen.

Jim, why don't you step over to Fred's place and see if he cut that lumber?

Save us from going out to the mill.

Uh, miss, will you bring my friend here a cup of coffee?

Now, it was an accident.

I talked to the boy and to Jack Fenton...

and to a lawyer and the county prosecutor.

Everybody's of the same mind about it.

It was an accident. Nothing else.

Well, I guess if the judge sees it the same way,

you've got nothing to worry about.

He will.

I've known Randolph Porter for a good many years.

He's a reasonable man, a smart man.

He'll see it was an accident.

Well, then--

Well, I, uh--

I don't want it to come to a jury trial.

Oh, a jury shouldn't worry you, Mr. Coulter.

Folks around here seem to see things your way.

[ Chuckles ]

Well, not exactly.

Ed! Will you step over here a minute?

Yes, Mr. Coulter.

How are you, Ed? And your wife?

Fine, Mr. Coulter. We're just getting along fine, thank you.

I'm sorry to hear about that dab of trouble that your boy's in,

but I'm sure everything'll work out all right.

Ed, this is my friend, Mr. Trampas.

Ed Blackburn. He's the local blacksmith.

You need any work done, you come see me.

I got a special price for Mr. Coulter's friends.

I'll do that, Ed.

That's all, Ed.Yes, sir, Mr. Coulter.

Now, Ed is likely to be on any jury they got up in this town.

You're not worried about him, are ya?

Ed started out owning his own ranch here in the valley.

Owned it.

Didn't work it right.

I own it now.

I'm a better rancher, better businessman than he is.

Now, he'll smile at me and call me "sir,"

but he'll never forgive me for being a better man than he is.

Now, you put Ed in a jury room and give him a chance,

and he'll do me all the hurt he could.

And I can name you a dozen more that'll do the same thing.

Do you see why I don't want my boy to stand jury trial?

Well, it's plain enough.

Now, Fenton tells me that you're staying around to look into things,

to satisfy yourself about what happened to Sam Dolan.

That's right.

You might do something for me while you're about it.

Like what?

Well, you might stumble on something that might prove beyond any kind of doubt...

that what my boy did is pure accident.

And if I did?

It'd be worth something to me.

Like $500.

No use waitin'.

Here.

Take it now.

Nice town.

Everybody's got money.

[ Sighs ]

I'll bet they don't have pie like this at the hotel.

Do you think Mr. Coulter wanted you to invent some kind of evidence to help Young Bob?

Well, he didn't say how I was to get it.

He just sorta threw the money out there in front of me.

Wasn't that bribery?I'm wearing my badge in my pocket.

You can't bribe a private citizen.

Well, it's just as bad trying to hire you to lie.

He didn't exactly say I was to lie.Oh, no, no. He's too smart.

Mmm.

Well, maybe-- [ Clears Throat ]

he wants me working for him.

That way, he knows I can't work against him.What do you mean?

Well, supposin' I do stumble on something that proves...

that Young Bob had a reason to kill Dorothy Koski.

Now, if I'm carrying $500 of Big Bob's money in my pocket,

I probably wouldn't mention it to a soul.

Oh. I see.

Well, do you think it could be something like that?

I'm sure beginning to think so.

[ Clears Throat ] You know,

small town like this, I guess everybody knows everyone.

Did you, uh, know Dorothy Koski?Yes.

Were you friends?

Oh, I wouldn't say that.

Enemies?

No. Just acquaintances.

We said hello, and that was about all.

She went her way, and I went mine.

What kind of girl was she?Nice.

- What else? - We didn't have much in common.

I guess "bold" says it about as well as any word I know.

She wanted to be noticed. She wanted to be the center of things.

Noticed by men or women?

- Men. - Hmm.

- Lot of beaus then? - Well, until Young Bob came along,

I don't think she ever went to two dances in a row with the same man.

She seemed to thrive on excitement and new faces.

After Young Bob came in the picture,

did she shoo the others away?

I think she did.

Do you think the fact that Young Bob stands to inherit most of the county...

had anything to do with that?

Every woman wants to be proud of the man she marries.

[ Chuckles ] You didn't answer my question.

Money was important to Dorothy.

Money and position.

I told you, she wanted to be the center of things.

So you did.

I'm gonna need somebody to ride out with me tomorrow morning...

and show me where Sam, uh, had his accident.

- Who do you think I oughta-- - I'll go with you.

Oh, no, Kitty, I-- Please.

Now, you're staying to look into Dad's death as a special favor to me.

The very least I can do is help you in any way I can.

Well, you sure it won't be too rough on you?

I'm sure.

All right, I'll pick you up first thing in the morning.

I'll be waiting.

Oh! I'm supposed to help you with the dishes.

Oh. And how many times have you done dishes?

Well, there has to be a first time for everything.

Yes, but not with my best dishes. Thank you for offering.

And thank you for a nice supper.

Good night, Kitty.Good night, Trampas.

I oughta hate this animal for killing a good friend,

but I just can't bring myself to do it.

It's funny the way things happen.

We ain't had a death in months.

Then we have two of 'em in two days not more than a mile apart.

That close?

Nobody told you?

I guess I never thought to ask.

Just watch yourself with that horse.

Uh, Mr. Jones.Yeah?

You said Dorothy Koski and Sam Dolan were killed within two days of each other...

and less than a mile apart?

That's right. Why?

Thanks.

Fenton?

Bob?

Wake up. I wanna talk to you.

What happened to you?

You mean this? Who did it? Koski?

Did Fenton let him in here?

My father gave me this.

It's all right. I had it comin'.

- Some father you got. - I told you, I had it comin'.

That's the way he is. If I get in bad, he'll-- he'll go out on a limb for me,

do anything he can.

But he'll whale me first.

What'd you want?

Some answers.

Look, I told you everything there is to tell on the way here.

Then we'll go over it again.

Look, Trampas-- You said you tied your horse on the back of the buggy.

When you woke up and you found the girl dead,

you got out of the buggy and got on your horse and lit out.

Right?That's right.

Where did you go?

There's a line shack the other side of Blue Ridge.

- I hid out there while they were looking for me. - How long were you there?

Almost three days.

Then you went straight on to Medicine Bow.That's right.

- You never came on this side of the ridge at all? - No, I was scared to.

Can you prove you never came on this side of the ridge on Thursday?

How can I? I was alone.

What is this? What are you asking all these questions for?

Sheriff Sam Dolan was killed two days after you left.

Wait a minute.

Fenton told me he was dragged to death by his horse.

He could've been dead before he was dragged.

- You saying I killed Sheriff Sam? - Did you?

Do you think I was gonna come back and hang around where Dorothy--

- He was hunting you for murder. - I didn't do it!

You gotta believe that.

- I'll swear to you on a stack of Bibles. - What's going on here?

He's trying to say that I killed Sheriff Sam.

You can't pin every death in the county on me.Shut up and simmer down.

Here's your breakfast.

I'll say one thing about this jail-- you sure do eat well.

I'll talk to you inside.

I thought I told you to keep your nose out of this county's business.

You told me.So you come into my office, take my keys and unlock my jail.

You weren't here.I went across the street to have breakfast.

I'm here day and night. I have to eat sometime.

All I said is you weren't here.

So you come in here and start accusing my prisoner of killing Sheriff Sam.

I wasn't accusin' him. I was just tryin' to find out somethin'.

Well, if you can find out something I've overlooked, you go ahead,

but I'm not gonna have you come in here...

and start scarin' the daylights out of my prisoner.

But it's all right to come in here and beat the tar out of him...

if your name's Big Bob Coulter.

I didn't know he was gonna do that.

Would it have made any difference?Yes!

Anything else Coulter wants seems to set just fine with you.

Now, I don't know what you're after, but don't you go call me a bootlicker.

You know how it is as well as I do.

There's a sheriff's job open here,

and the man that Big Bob points his finger at gets the job.

If you're gonna hold a political job, you have to play politics.

I want that job. I'm gonna get married. I need it.

I'm gonna do anything decent I have to to get it.

If you rub my nose in what I have to do, I'm gonna break yours.

Now that's a promise.

All right.

- Then you listen to me. - You go ahead and say somethin'.

- After you left the hotel, Coulter offered me $500. - What for?

To bring anything I could to show that the killing of the girl was an accident.

The way it stands, it's already an accident.

Then maybe that $500 was for somethin' else.

Maybe it was to keep me from asking questions like I was just asking Young Bob.

There's no reason why he'd kill Sheriff Sam.

Sam was huntin' him for murder.

He didn't try to kill you when you brought him here.He didn't have a chance.

If I try to prove a case against him...

and it doesn't stick,

well, I'm through in Coulter County.

That's right. No sheriff job, nothin'.

Well, I'm not gonna do it.

It's not because I'm afraid.

It's because the coroner's jury went over it-- not once, but a lot of times.

And they're satisfied that that stallion killed Sheriff Sam.

- And that makes you satisfied? - Yes.

That money was to pay me to back away from something.

It was to get you on his side.

When your son stands a chance of going away to prison,

you can't have too many men workin' for you.

It's your conscience. You've gotta live with it.

[ Door Opens, Closes ]

Just let me look around a moment.

You get along fine with him, don't you?

Once he found out who was boss, he was easy to get along with.

Right over there.

This where he was found?

With his foot still caught in the stirrup.

Ground looks pretty well worked over.

The coroner's jury was out here.

I... guess they tramp back and forth a lot.

Yeah. Hey! Whoa![ Whinnying ]

Hold on. Hold on. Whoa.

What was it you were saying about as soon as he knew who was boss?

I didn't know he was listenin'.

At least I had time enough to get my feet out of the stirrups.

What I'd like to do now is take a look at the place...

where Dorothy Koski was killed.

[ Kitty ] The buggy was probably tied to that tree when they found it.

I'm gonna have a look around.

Hey!

- What's the idea? - Trespassin' on Coulter property.

Unbuckle that gun belt. Drop it.

Be mighty careful how you go about it.

Get it.

[ Whinnies ]

- Let him go! - Get her away from him.

[ Grunting ]

We got no trouble with you, Miss Dolan, and we don't want any.

- Let him go! - He's going to town.

And how he goes is up to you.

Now, you mix into this, and he drags...

all the way.

Now, if you'll just get on your horse, behave yourself,

maybe I'll let him walk.

- [ Straining ] - Kitty.

Do like he says.

Get your hat.

What's going on here, Brandt?Give his gun to Fenton.

- Now, what gave you the right to do this? - He's a troublemaker.

He's been warned, and he won't listen.

Caught him trespassing on Coulter property,

if you need a reason.

We better go inside.

[ Blusters ] [ Door Opens ]

Sit down.

[ Murmurs ]

What kind of man are you to let Trampas be roped and dragged through the streets?

Now, just stop it, Kitty. I've enough troubles.

Why'd Brandt rope you?

- You heard him. I was trespassin'. - That's a technicality.

A lot of people trespass on Coulter's property...

without getting the kind of treatment you got.

First Coulter tries to buy me out.

Then he sends his top hand to try and scare me out.

I'm asking you why.

Because Coulter's the one that's scared.

Scared of what?

He's scared I'll pin the murder of Sam Dolan on his son.

You really believe that?I've always believed it.

He never took to that story of Sam bein' thrown and dragged--

no more than I did or Kitty here.

A man's gotta work awful hard to believe a story like that.

He's gotta want somethin'.

Like a sheriff's job he wouldn't get if he gets nosy.

The coroner's jury believed it,

and I believed it 'cause I thought it was the truth.

No other reason.

I find out it's not the truth, then I'll do what the law says, and you can believe that.

Good, 'cause I'm gonna prove Sam Dolan was murdered,

and nobody's gonna buy me out, scare me out or run me out until I do.

If you got anything to go on, Trampas, it's your duty to tell me.

You'll know about it when I'm sure. [ Stagecoach Approaching ]

You don't have to worry about that.

Well, whatever you're gonna do, you better make it quick.

Judge Porter's on that stage.

[ Man ]Whoa.

Trampas, have you really got something to go on?

I think so.What are you doing?

Kitty, you go on home. I'll be there in a few minutes.

Can't you tell me?Later.

Take off your right boot.What?

You heard me. Sit down and take it off.What do you want it for?

You said you didn't kill Sam Dolan. Now's your chance to prove it.

Come on. Let's go.

What's my boot got to do with it?

I'll tell you later, one way or the other.

Judge.Fenton.

I can't tell you how sorry I was to hear about Sam Dolan.

How's his daughter?Oh, she's holdin' up fine, Judge.

Good. Good.

That reception in my honor?

Well, not exactly, Judge.

It's-- Well, feelings are runnin' high about this young Bob Coulter thing.

That account for the shotgun?Yeah.

[ Crowd Chattering, Muttering ]

Those are the dead girl's people.

Wouldn't take much to set 'em off.

Folks, there will be a hearing on the Coulter case...

in the courthouse in an hour.

It'll be open to the public.

In the meantime, I suggest you go on about your business...

and keep the peace.

[ Crowd Murmuring ]

Tell me about it at the hotel?

Well, I'd better get back over to the jail, Judge.

If you could stop by there before court.

Very well.

Will this do?Yeah, that'll do fine.

Well, it's not the one Dad was wearing when he died.

That's all right.Now will you tell me why you want it?

I found a couple of things out there before I was roped.

One-- somebody swept a lot of ground.Swept it?

Yeah, from a branch pulled off a tree.

Whoever did it used it to sweep the ground out there clean.

Well, what on earth for?That's what I asked myself.

The only thing I could think of was to cover up footprints.

From Sam most likely. He was a good tracker.

So I started looking around. I found a couple he'd missed by the creek.

There's sand near some bushes. They was clear as could be.

And you think they were Dad's? I told you he was out there.

I know.

Now, if this boot fits,

that means your dad was standing like this.

But there was another print on top of it, and it was a different size.

What does that mean?

If young Bob Coulter's boot fits that other print,

that means he was out there after your dad was,

and he wasn't there until after the girl was killed.

Then that could mean Young Bob came back,

and he could have killed Dad.

Well, I'll soon find out.

Isn't it pretty risky, going out there again after what happened the first time?

I'm bettin' Coulter's foreman thinks he taught me a lesson.

He won't expect me to go back for more.

Trampas? Are you sure it's worth it?

Nothing you can find out there can bring Dad back.

You didn't think that way before.

I didn't realize it would lead to this before.

I can't let go now, Kitty.

I'd never get a good night's sleep if I walked away from it.

And I did enough walkin' today to last me for a lifetime.

Don't worry, Kitty.

I want to talk to you.

Go ahead, but make it quick.

This thing is getting too big for you, Fenton.

I want you to deputize a half a dozen of my men...

to back you up in case of trouble.

No.

Why not?

You don't wanna back me up.

You want a license for your men to kill.

I'm not gonna deputize anyone. There's no one I can trust.

But there's gonna be trouble.

[ Fenton ] If you wanna stay out of trouble, get your men out of town.

[ Coulter ] We're staying right here to protect my son.

We've got a right to.

Then you get this through your head.

I'm gonna cut down the first man that starts anything,

and that goes for you as well as those freighters.

Now get out of here.

[ Door Slams ]

- [ Whip Cracks ] - [ Grunts ]

So it was you.

You wouldn't quit, would you?

Sam caught you out here covering up your tracks?

You couldn't explain what you were doing, so you killed him!

What are you gonna do now--

put my foot up in the stirrup, like you did with Sam?

You killed the girl too.

You followed Bob Coulter and the girl out here so you could kill her.

I wasn't going to kill her.

After he passed out, I offered to drive her home.

She wouldn't go with me.

She said she liked him better than me even when he was drunk.

She laughed at me when she said it,

like I was dirt under her feet.

I grabbed her, shut her up. Now I'm gonna shut you up!

[ Grunting ][ Blows Thudding ]

[ Grunts ][ Choking ]

[ Grunting ]

Do you remember striking her?

No, sir, I don't.

Seems like a man would remember doing something like that,

specially if it was the first time he ever did it.

But I just don't.

I never hit a girl before.

I'll swear to that.

I can remember other things, though, like--

like her gettin' mad and scratching me...

and-- and me trying to grab her hands to stop her, but--

What is your last recollection?

Well,

she was sittin' in the dark on her side of the seat, too mad at me to talk.

Least, I thought that was what was wrong with her.

And me sleepy, thinkin' I oughta take her home.

Nothing more?

Well, I guess I went to sleep. Passed out, I guess.

And when you awakened?

I saw she was dead, and I-- I spooked.

Spooked?I was scared crazy.

I-- I just got on my horse and... ran.

That's all for the moment. You may step down.

The purpose of this hearing...

was to determine whether the defendant was to be held...

on a charge of first-degree murder...

or on a lesser charge for which he could be admitted to bail.

A charge of first-degree murder requires...

that there be substantial evidence...

a crime was committed with malice aforethought.

I can find no substantial evidence of malice aforethought.

It is my decision, therefore,

that the defendant be charged with involuntary manslaughter...

and released on $2,000 bail.

This is wrong! He must hang!

[ Spectators Shouting ] [ Gavel Rapping ]

- Sit down. - [ Spectators Murmuring ]

You can't let him go. He killed my daughter, and I demand justice!

Now, I told you to sit down.

You too.

All of you, sit down.

[ Trampas ] Judge?[ Spectators Chattering ]

[ Gavel Rapping ]

I'm sorry to barge in like this, Judge,

but you've been trying the wrong man.

Bob Coulter didn't do it.

He's the one you want.

[ Spectators Chattering ]

I found two footprints out where Dorothy Koski and Sam Dolan were killed.

One of them fits this boot.

Belonged to Sam.

The other matches his.

He killed 'em both, Judge.

[ Spectators Chattering ]

[ Gavel Rapping ] Order. Order!

- Can you prove this? - I left everything out there just like it was.

You can go out there and see for yourself, unless he wants to save you some time.

He already admitted it to me...

just before he tried to kill me too.

I didn't mean to kill her.

[ Murmuring ]

Trampas.

Thanks.

So long, fella.

How much do I owe you?Two dollars will do it.

That's fair enough.

Come here, Buck.

So long.So long.

[ Blusters ]

Trampas.

You gonna run away without even saying good-bye?

I thought we said 'em all after the trial.

We certainly did not.

There. That's better.

Uh, you better watch her, the way she goes around kissing people.

Well, I'll make an exception this time. Good luck, Trampas.

Well, I guess you got yours.

Oh, uh, Kitty, uh, I think you better sell Smoke.

He's a good horse, but, uh, well, he might be a little rough for you to handle.

Trampas, you know perfectly well--I think you're right, Trampas.

But I'll buy him just to keep him in the family.

That's a good idea.

[ Coulter ] Hello, Trampas.Hello, Mr. Coulter, Bob.