Original subtitles

[ Footsteps ]

Gramp! Gramp! It's there! Over there! See?

Of course I see.

Well, sure you do, only I just seen it now myself.

Come up, Gramp! It's a town, all right, but what town is it?

Is it Medicine Bow yet?

It's Medicine Bow, all right.

Got to be Medicine Bow.

Another mile or so, and we've made it.

Oh, boy!

Mind if we rest up a while before we go, Gramps?

Now, that's a good idea, Willy.

Old cowboy like me forgets a young fella...

needs to get his wind.

I wonder what it's like-- Medicine Bow.

Oh. It's a fine town.

Yes, sir, it'll be fine for both of us.

Yeah. We're gonna do fine there.

Tell about it, Gramp.

Well, first off, I'll land us with some big outfit...

that'll pretty quick appreciate...

they're dealing with a man of superior capabilities.

They'll see you're a real top hand, won't they, Gramp?

They'll see you know your stuff.

Well, it wouldn't surprise me a bit if inside a couple of weeks...

they'd up and ask me to take over as foreman or something like that.

How can you tell?

Might-- Might be no time at all...

'fore some smart cowboy could work hisself into a share of the business.

A share, Gramps?

Yeah. Ownership, son.

Partners.

Yeah.

That town down there may be the town we've been looking for all along.

Sure could be.

Come on, Gramps. Let's go!

Hey, hold on there.He wants to talk to you!

Afternoon, sir.

Good afternoon.

Can I do something for you?

What would you say is the biggest and best ranch hereabouts?

You have to be talking about Shiloh.

Shiloh.

About this time of year, they could be taking on help at Shiloh.

Wouldn't you say?Mm-hmm.

Now, suppose I was to tell you where they could find theirselves...

one tough, hard-working son-of-a-gun cowhand?

Well, it's gonna be a real shorthanded winter.

I guess if a fellow like that came along--Don't you see, sir?

It's Gramps here. He's the son-of-a-gun cowboy.

Oh, well. Eh--

See, the problem is, what I have in mind...

is 12 to 18 hours a day, month in, month out.

Well, what's that got to do with anything?

Come on, boy. We're wasting our time here.

Where could I find the boss man?

Well, the ranch is owned by Judge Henry Garth, but I'm his foreman.

I do all the hiring and firing.

Sorry, I'd like to help you out, but--

You're all mixed up, mister. I don't need nobody's help.

Sorry. I-I meant a job.

Uh, tell you what. The manager of the hotel's a good friend of mine.

Why don't I take you over there and introduce you? He always needs help.

Sure. Waitin' tables, dish washin', moppin' floors.

[ Chuckles ] Old ladies' work. Thanks just the same.

Some people got no danged sense, and that's a fact.

Don't you listen to him, Gramps.

It's an insult, but I guess I...

got to put it down to pure ignorance.

That fella wouldn't know a cowpuncher if he saw one.

Fool dough head.Fool dough head!

Now, don't you let it worry you none, Willy. We'll straighten that out.

You mark my words.

Won't be no time at all till that fella's back here beggin' me to work for 'im.

Bet he will too. Besides, there's a lot of other places, aren't there, Gramps?

Plenty.

Smells like beef mulligan, don't it, Gramps?

Must be clean on to suppertime, I bet.

What? You gettin' hungry, are you, young fella?

Well, what'll it be?

Dish of watery mulligan or a thick T-bone steak?

But we only got enough money left for stew, unless--

You thinkin' on spendin' the gold coin?

What are you sayin', boy?

My Double Eagle $20 gold coin...

I got for makin' the first run through the Chisholm Trail back in '66?

Only joshing, Gramps.I should think.

You know what that coin means, Willy.Sure I do.

It was given in recognition when you was the big trail boss in charge.

Thousand head of cattle we run through there in the dead of winter.

2,000 more likely.

And the snowdrifts piled nine feet high in places.

Froze my feet in the stirrups.

But I didn't let that stop us.

They said I was the only trail boss could've done it.

On top of the regular pay, Mr. Goodnight hisself...

took that Double Eagle $20 gold coin...

off his own watch chain and give it to me.

And he wouldn't have done that for nothing, would he, Willy?

Sure not.Well, like a medal.

That's what it is.

You don't go spending medals, do you, Willy?Should say not.

You keep it safe in your boot, don't you, Gramps?

♪♪ [ Honky-tonk Piano ]

Of course,

if there was an emergency--

It could be spent on an emergency.

Anyhow, I like beef mulligan.

[ Chuckling ] Now you hold on a minute.

Didn't I say we were havin' steak for dinner?

But how, Gramps?Easy, son, easy.

Now, you just watch your old gramps make this grow.

Come on.

♪♪ [ Piano Continues ][ Chattering ]

Little old straight.Where?

Hee, hee, hee.

Now, you wait here.Aw, Gramps.

Saloon's no place for kids.

Besides, you've got to guard that.Sure, Gramps.

I won't be long.

Had to break it up at the wrong time.

Well, now!

What do we have here?

Friendly little game of cards, I see.

Murdock's the name.

Well, Mr. Murdock, that's-- All depends on what you call "friendly."

[ Jingling ]Friendliest sound in the world, ain't it?

Money talks, man. My money.

[ Chuckles ] And I just heard it.

If this man wants to stack his coins on this table,

we can always use a little fresh blood-- I mean, new player.

Mr., uh-- Mr. Murdock. Murdock.

Why don't you drag a chair up right over here and get in this friendly little game?

Yes, sir!

♪♪ [ Continues ]

Penny ante, Mr. Murdock. Jacks or better open.

Three raises.

I'm in. Deal the cards.

♪♪ [ Ends ] [ Murdock ] Yeah.

[ Murmurs ]

All right.

Well, I'll open for a dime.

Hmm.

Hmm. I'm out.

Up 20 cents.

Hmm. I'll call ya and raise a dime.

I can see that.

Now, if you don't have 'em, now's the time to get out.

That's good advice, mister.

♪♪ [ Piano Resumes ]Last raise.

Call.

Yeah. Call that.

Cards?

Uh, yeah. Uh, three.

Just, uh-- Just one.

And the dealer?

- Two. - Check.

I'll check too.

Well, now, I'll just, uh-- I'll just bet the pot.

Lets me out.

[ Clears Throat ] I'll see you.

With what?

I got a $20 gold coin in my boot.

If you ain't and you lose, you're gonna have to hock those boots,

and you're gonna look awful funny running around barefoot.

Could be, mister.

Well, can you beat three kings?

A flush.

A beautiful, red, diamond flush.

I just had a feelin' this was my lucky day.

Swell, Gramps! Swell! Let's go eat that T-bone!

- Stop now when I'm on a winnin' streak? - But, Gramps!

Now, let's ante.

Eh? In or out? Better quit while you're ahead.

You see? I got 'em scared already, son.

- Where are we sleeping tonight? - Like last night-- under the stars.

No, sir.

Tonight we're sleeping in a fancy hotel...

on a mattress with sheets.

Now, you just wait over there like I told ya.

Sure, Gramps.

Well, can you beat a full house?

Well, now, you ain't got no full house. You're bluffin' again.

Just like the last hand and the hand before that.

I say the straight I got here will beat you.

You can't be sure, can you, mister?

- No. - That's what poker's all about.

You put up or shut up.

Well, I'm puttin' up, and I got a straight right there.

[ Laughing ] Yeah!

Lovely game. Lo--

Let's go, Gramps.

Ah, now, you wait a minute. I gotta feed you.

I still got a dime. Waiter! Bowl of soup for the kid.

No, thanks! That's all right, Gramps.

I ain't hungry. I kind of got past being hungry.

Why don't you buy yourself a glass of beer?

Uh, I'll tell you. We've been partners a long time, haven't we?

Yep.Well, supposin' we go 50-50?

Is that all right with you?Sure, Gramps.

A nickel bowl of soup and a nickel beer.

Sit down here.

Two pair I had. Two pair!

With any kind of luck, I could have filled.

That's right, Gramps.

We can't let that old man leave like that.

That dime's probably all he and the kid have.

Well, he's got a $20 gold piece in his boot, he says.

So he said.

What do you think? We are shorthanded at the ranch.

I don't know, Trampas. He's a pretty old man.

That's his problem. Who'd want to hire an old man like that?

Well, I can't argue that with you.

Come on. Let's play poker.

Anyway, what if the foreman did say hire him, and he's too old for the work?

We can't afford to wet-nurse him, let alone take on a kid.

Yeah, you're right.

Who needs that kind of responsibility?

That's right.That's right.

I'm gonna go hire him.

Uh, Mr. Murdock.

Hi there.Hi.

Uh, we were just wondering if, uh, you might like to have a job on a ranch.

A ranch job?Mm-hmm.

Well, now, I tell ya, I just might.

What ranch would this be?Well, it's called Shiloh.

Shiloh? Uh--

What did I tell you?

I thank you.

Here you are.

You took it on yourself to hire him?

No. I-- Well-- Well, no, not exactly.

I, uh-- Well, what I said was, uh--

Well, I said I was sure I could fix it with the foreman.

Mm-hmm.

And after you fix it with the foreman,

have you thought how you're gonna fix the old man so he'll be fit to work this job?

I'll keep an eye on him.

Now, listen. He, uh-- He may be old,

but he claims he's had plenty of experience.

He's worked a lot of ranches down in Texas.

When-- 20 years ago? Well, what about the boy, Trampas?

Can you tell me what we're gonna do with a kid around here?

We have plenty of bunks.

School's out right now, and he can always go back if--

if the old fella lasts out the job.

Ifhe lasts out the job is right.

Trampas, I know how you feel, but it's just plain impractical.

What that old man needs is an easy job with no muscle in it at all.

Well, now, I tried that on him for starters.

I suggested he work for the cook. You know what he said?

Yeah. "Old ladies' work."Yeah.

All right. You win. But remember one thing. He's your headache.

Right.

Hmm. Well, I knew you'd see it my way.

Maybe we'll learn something from the old fella.

Sure. [ Door Opens, Closes ]

Hear that, Gramps? It's comin' down in buckets.

Sure nice to have a roof over our heads again, ain't it?

[ Grunts ] Are you getting homesick, boy?

Homesick, Gramps? Are you kiddin'? Homesick for what?

Well, your Aunt Hester weren't all that bad. She meant well.

Ain't what you said when we snuck off, Gramps. Remember what you said?

That she was a mean old witch and you were never gonna let her put her hands on me again.

That's true. I never am.

Trouble with that woman is she got a sour streak in her.

She doesn't understand kids.

Nor an old man neither, I guess.

You ain't old, Gramps.Of course not.

Funny thing about that woman.

Your own mama's sister, and yet your mama...

was the sweetest thing this side of a daisy patch.

Was she, Gramps? She sure was.

Till that flu epidemic took her off.

It's too bad you can't remember her...

nor your pa.

A real shame-- kid havin' to grow up without he remembers his parents.

But I got you, Gramps, and you're all I need.

We're gonna make out fine on our own, you said.

Well, uh-- That's right.

You just bet, Willy.

You got the job like you said.

I got it, all right.

And you'll show 'em what a great cowboy you still are, won't you, Gramps?

Doggone if I don't do just that.

Why, you and I got nothing to worry about, Willy.

I've seen plenty of ranch work in my day.

Worked on places twice the size of this.

Why, what I could tell them all about runnin' a ranch like this.

It's gonna be real fine, ain't it, Gramps?

Sure. Come on. It's your bedtime.

Now, up you go.

Good night, Gramps.

[ Shouting ] Hyah!

Hyah!

[ Mooing ]Hee! Hyah!

Hyah! Get over there! [ Whistles ]

Hyah!

Hyah! Get over there!

[ Whistles ] Hyah!

[ Whistles ] Hyah.

[ Mooing ]

[ Whistles ] Ho! Hey!

Get back in there. Get back in that herd.

You could have spooked him, running down the hill like that.

Spooked him? If he'd have got in that brush, it'd take us a week to get him out.

[ Men Whistling, Shouting ]

Hey, Murdock! Murdock! Hey!

Put that rifle down, you hear?

Put that rifle down.

What are you doing?Can't you see? That steer's sick.

Another one t'other side of the creek. Looks like pneumonia to me.

Can't have disease spreading through the herd.

Put that rifle down. Those cattle aren't diseased.

Don't you have any eyes in your head?

He's bloated from eatin' water hemlock.

Water hemlock.

Come on. [ Whistles ] Get up. Get up.

Come on! [ Whistles ] Hold, son.

[ Chattering ]

[ Man Exclaims ]

You never make it. [ Murmurs ]

[ Plates Clattering ]

[ Chattering ]

[ Trampas ] Well, looks pretty good.

[ Crows ]

[ Snoring ]Gramps!

Wake up! You'll miss breakfast!

Come on! Wake up!

Well, don't get excited. I'm dressed, ain't I?

[ Both Laughing ]Come on, Gramps.

[ Grunts, Groaning ]

[ Mooing ]

[ Bawling ]

[ Laughing ]

What'd you butt in for? I could handle it myself. I didn't need any help!

Why'd you rope him for in the first place?

I found him up in the brush.

I wanted to see if he was branded before I turned him back to the herd.

Well, he isn't branded. You should have seen that.

Now go on. Go find your mama. [ Whistles ]

I was throwin' steers before you fellas was born.

I was here when the West was openin' up.

I seen real cowboy work in my day.

Here's your rope.

[ Men Laughing ]

[ Trampas ] Get goin'.

You know, I bet that calf didn't weigh 120 pounds.

That's bad enough, but, well, if he'd just learn to keep his big mouth shut.

Poor old buzzard.You should have heard him yesterday.

He was tellin' everybody how, if it was up to him to pick out the remuda,

he'd sure have got together a better string of horses.

Come on. Let's get going.

[ Utensils, Plates Clattering ] [ Man Clears Throat ]

Uh-- Uh, Trampas sits there, Mr. Murdock.

Uh, all right, all right. I'll eat later.

Anybody would think you'd save a place...

for a cowboy who'd done a hard day's work.

Harder than any of you done in a month of Sundays, I'll bet. Twice as hard.

Whoa. Now, just a minute, Mr. Murdock. We know how good a cowboy you are.

We've been talking it over, and what we decided was...

that a top hand like yourself--

you ought to be sittin' head of the table.

Well, thank you very much.

Now, that's more like it.

And there you are.

[ All Laughing ]

Don't you laugh at him! He's no one for you to laugh at!

He's the greatest cowboy ever was!

Uh, hey, Willy.

Uh-- [ Clears Throat ]

You know, I'll bet I can beat you at a game of checkers.

I'll bet you can't.All right. I'll take you on.

Why don't you go set up the board, and I'll be right with you after I have dinner.

All right. What's so funny? Hmm?

Well, it was just a little joke, see?

He was braggin' about how he used to ride buckin' horses like he's sittin' in a rocking chair.

So we--Yeah, yeah. I know.

Well, Belden, your hide's a little tougher than his is.

He's old, and he's sensitive.

Hey, Trampas! That was real neat!

Did you see that fancy mount, Gramps? Did you see it?

I see'd it, son.

So long, Willy. Don't get into any trouble.

Hi, Gramps! How'd it go today? What happened?

What happened? What should happen? Nothing happened.

Cattle, cattle everywhere. Not a drop to drink.

What?Nothin', I say.

You let me be.Sure, Gramps.

Hey. I got the checkerboard all set up.

I'm sorry, Willy. I'm just plumb tuckered out.

You let me rest my eyes.

Hey, you! Trampas!

Don't you "Hey, you" me.

Hey. Hey now. Wait.[ Laughing ]

No, wait! Look. Wait.Hey, Will! Will!

Get him, wee Willy! Hit on him there, boy!

Beat on him a little more! Hit him again! One more!

You get-- Let him have it! All right, Willy.

Let him have it! [ Laughing ] Give you-- One--

Whoa. Whoa.Hit him, Willy! Hit him one more, Will.

Wait. Now wait a minute. Give me time to check my breath here.

He ain't out of breath. He's just getting old. Let him have it.

Get him! Hit him! Hit him! Hit him. Hit him.

All right, Willy.[ Grunts ]

[ Belden Laughing ] How do you like that, Belden?

Go get him, Willy! Hit him now!

[ Grunts ] Stop it!This'll get him!

What? Look what you've done to my hair!

Hey. Now, wait a minute. [ Belden Laughing ]

Hit him, Will! Yeah! Get him, wee Willy!

Hit on him there, boy! Beat on him, boy! Hit him again!

One more! Let him have it! All right, Willy.

Right there, Willy. Let him have it! Hit him one!

Give you-- [ Laughing ]

Hit him, Will! Hit him one!

[ Blusters ]Mr. Murdock?

Uh, how far apart you think those fence posts are?

[ Cattle Mooing ]

What I was wondering is, uh, think the wire will hold up?

You're telling me how to put up fence posts?

Why, I put up enough fence posts in my time...

to go around this ranch 50 times.

Mr. Murdock, I think you've got me all wrong.

What I wanted to say is that--

Well, the foreman's got strict rules about fence posts.

No more than 15 feet apart.

Fifteen feet apart?

Fifteen feet? Why, that--

That'll take twice the work and twice the time!

All right. I'll put 'em 15 feet apart.

Well, I'll help you. You will not.

I'll do it myself. I don't need you around here trying to make trouble for me.

Hey, Trampas. How'd it go today? What happened?

[ Chuckling ] Well, I'll tell you, pard.

I saw me a jackrabbit today. He was sittin' right there on a fence.

We must have been no more'n 10 feet away from him.

He sure was tame.

- I almost like to have him for a pet. - Really, Trampas?

Gee. What color was he?

Hey, Trampas. Can I sit next to you at the table tonight?

Sure. But just don't go eatin' any of my food.

[ Sighs ]

He's lyin'. There weren't no jackrabbit.

Why, sure there was, Mr. Murdock. We all seen him.

[ Chattering ]

Lyin'.

Makin' up interesting things for the boy to listen.

Fool kid.

This'll take most of the soreness out.

You're gonna have to freshen it about every hour or so though.

Hey, you know that north ridge where the creek takes a bend?Yeah.

We just found some tracks. Think it's that same old wolf.

It's gonna be the devil to get him out of that brush though.

Oh. Here.

Better get some-- some riders up there with rifles.

Where's Trampas?Brandin'.

Better get Trampas on it--Got them fence posts all put up, 15 feet apart. Right?

Yeah. Figured you'd agree.

Now what you want me to do, boss?

Randy, get on back up to the north ridge.

- Pick up whoever you want to help you on the way. - Right.

You go on out to that corral where Trampas is branding. Take over for him.

Take over from Trampas? You bet I will.

You can count on me, boss. I'll handle that brandin'.

Uh, tell Trampas I want to see him right away.I got ya.

[ Blusters ]

[ Mooing ]

Hey there, Trampas!

The foreman sent me to take your place.

He did?Yeah. He says he wants to see you right away.

All right. Um, Belden, you come down here and do the branding.

You're fast at it. Murdock here can help run 'em through.

What are you talking about? He told me to take over from you.

I'm running this operation. I understand.

I don't need you to tell me how to do a simple little branding job.

Well, go on. Git. You got your orders.

The foreman's waiting to see you.

All right now. Run them critters through here as fast as you can.

Won't be fast enough for me.

Gonna show him what fast brandin' is.

I hope they don't fire the poor young fella.

Why, I've handled more cows in my day than he'll ever see.

Now, come on now! Run 'em through!

Yes, sir, Mr. Murdock.

[ Cattle Mooing ]

Has to be a mistake.

What about all them others I found down in the valley?

Twenty-three so far, Mr. Northrup.

Twenty-three? You sure?Yeah.

Kind of too many for a mistake, wouldn't you say?

Bring him along.

Glad to see you, Mr. Northrup.

Can't say I'm happy to be here.

Didn't believe it myself till I saw the evidence.

What's that?Shiloh brand, right?

Uh-huh.Northrup earmarks.

You want to tell me why you've been branding my stock?

Well, now, I'm sorry, sir.

I-- Must be some sort of slipup. That's all I can say.

More than two dozen slipups?

- That's hard to believe. - It's not hard to prove.

- Now, I'm a patient man, but-- - I know you are, sir.

If you say so, I'll take your word for it.

I guess the only thing you can do is take a runnin' iron and put your brand over ours.

You know what'll happen. They'll start accusing us of changing brands.

Some trouble about the branding?

Wait a minute now. Mr. Murdock, you were branding today, weren't you?

I been branding all my life.

Nobody can tell me nothin' about branding.

Did you check the ear notches?

I must have branded over 300 critters this afternoon.

[ Chuckles ] I'd like to see anybody else do it any faster.

I never missed a one.

But did you check the earmark?

Don't you know that Northrup cattle and ours are all mixed together?

Nobody told me they wasn't all part of our herd.

I never looked at any earmarks.

Mr. Northrup, you have my apologies. It won't happen again.

Just you make doggone sure it doesn't happen again.

Well, it's-- it's not his fault. He didn't know the stock was mixed.

Well, if I didn't, because you didn't tell me-- on purpose!

You keep trying to get me fired.

Well, you were right. Hiring the old man was a bad idea.

Look.

Just keep him away from the livestock, will you?

Find him something to do that he can't mess up.

Yes, sir.

Hi, Gramps. I didn't know you was here.

Yeah, it was Trampas's idea.

I'll help.

Can I, Gramps? It'd be fun.

Yeah. Fun.

What?

- Go ahead. - Thanks, Gramps.

Did you hear about the lobo they shot the other day?

What lobo?A big wolf hanging around the ridge.

Blam! Blam! Got him in two easy shots!Who did?

It was Trampas, I think.

You think?

Well, I was shootin' wolves 'fore he was born.

Uh, Mr. Murdock, uh-- Let it go for a while.

I've been thinkin' about something.

You need me out to ride herd with the boys maybe?

Well, what you could do is ride into town and pick up the mail.

Might be an important letter from Judge Garth.

Need someone I can trust.

Why, sure, boss.

You hear that? Somethin' important come up.

You finish up in here. Uh, that stall's the only thing left.

Sure, Gramps.

[ Horse Nickers ]

[ Whinnying ]

Hey, Mr. Murdock?

Hey, don't you know that's Big Boy?

You don't want to try to ride that horse.

Why not?

Well, he's mean. He won't let nobody ride him but Trampas.

Any horse Trampas can ride, I can ride backwards.

No, Gramp, no!

Whoa there! Now, boy, now--

[ Gasping ]

Whoa! Whoa.

Hey. Whoa!

[ Cattle Bellowing ]

Head 'em off! Stampede!

[ Bellowing ]

Hyah!

Hey, boss!

[ Nickers ]

Whoa, son. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa.

Get the saddle off him. Whoa, son.

Now, Willy, don't you worry. Your grandpa's all right.

We're gonna go look for him right now.

Whoa! Whoa!

Good afternoon, Mr. Northrup. See you had an accident.

- That's right. - Uh, we're looking for one of our hands.

The old man. You see any sign of him?

Yeah, he's riding this big bay horse.

A big bay, you say?

He must have thrown him 'cause he come running back to the ranch without him.

That big bay just ran through our whole herd. Stampeded 'em.

Must have cost us 53 head at least.

[ Northrup ] Yeah, and it cost me a broken arm.

I had enough trouble with you Shiloh people! I'm taking you to court!

Now, wait just a minute.

Shiloh's liable, we can settle this fairly.

Settle nothin'. I'm taking you to court, you understand?

I'm gonna sue you for triple damages! Get goin', Roper.

Let's go!

A lawsuit.

That's all we need.

♪♪ [ Whistling ]What's that?

♪♪ [ "Oh! Susanna" ]

Yep. It's him, all right.

Hi, fellas.

You didn't need to come looking for me. No, sir.

You hurt, Mr. Murdock?

Me? No! Just a little tumble.

If you want my advice, boss, I'd have double-cinch saddles.

If it was me, I wouldn't have a single-cinch on the ranch.

But no harm done. Oh, I went down into town, got you the mail.

All right. Take him back to the ranch and give him some supper.

And I want to see you.

What's the trouble? I got the mail for him, like he asked.

Come on. Get on.

I went into town after I left you.

I talked to the fella owns the livery stable.

He's willing to give the old man a try.

Place in the back for the kid to stay too.

Better for both of 'em, school startin' up soon and everything.

Mm-hmm. He won't accept it.

Well, he'll have to, Trampas!

Come on now. You know he's gotta go.

[ Exhales ] All right.

Do me a favor. Let me break it to him.

Durned stuff's cold.

Cat got your tongue?

No, Gramps.

If that horse was mine,

I'd have him broke proper by now.

Well, that's Trampas for you. Can't even break a horse right.

Trampas can ride him all right. He's just not used to anybody else.

I'll bet you think that poor cowpoke can ride better than me.

Course not, Gramps.

All right! So it's a lie.

I can't ride near as good as Trampas.

Can't handle a lariat anymore like he can.

All right. You're right.

And he's one fine specimen of a cowboy.

And you can have him, is all.

That Trampas is all yours!

That's all right with me, you hear?

- Gramps. - It's just fine.

Oh, Gramps. I wish you didn't feel like that.

I wish we three could be friends--

you and me and Trampas.

Trampas is no friend of mine.Sure he is.

Uh--

Uh, Mr. Murdock? I'd like to have a talk with you.

You're talking to me right now.

I'd rather talk to you alone.

I'll wait outside.

Now, Willy, the wind's comin' up. It's getting pretty cold.

You better get a good night's sleep for tomorrow.

I'll talk to you in the barn.

Trampas. Why before tomorrow especial?

Uh, your gramps will explain it to you later. Good night, Willy.

Good night.

[ Men Chattering ]

If you've come to give me the sack, forget it.

I was leavin' anyway.

[ Exhales ] Yeah. Well, I--

Foreman said he found you a job in town at the livery stable.

- I don't want to hear about it. - Now, now, just--

Now, just listen to me for a minute.

It's gonna be winter. It's no time for you and the boy to be sleeping outdoors.

I hate to see you leave with just a week's pay, so,

well, let's just, uh-- let's just call it a loan.

Keep your money to yourself. I don't need no handouts.

I got money.

I've got that $20 Double Eagle gold coin in my boot...

I'm savin' for emergencies.

Yeah, I, uh-- I know.

Willy, uh-- That's what Willy tells me.

But when I asked him again about it later, he, uh--

well, he had to admit he'd never actually seen it.

I keep it in my boot is why.

What durned business is it of yours anyway?

Because I don't believe there is any gold piece.

Mr. Murdock. Mr. Murdock, will you calm down and get some sense into your head?

Mr. Murdock.

No, I don't believe you have a gold coin...

any more than I believe you got anyplace to go.

You're about at the end of your rope,

and you better let go of some of that dumb pride and take some help,

if not for yourself, then for the boy.

Don't you worry none about Willy.

That boy don't need to see the gold coin. He knows I got it.

He trusts me. [ Flames Crackling ]

- The window! - [ Horse Nickers ]

[ Trampas ] We better get these horses out!

Get some help! [ Murdock ] Fire!

Fire!

[ Nickers, Whinnies ]

[ Whinnying ]

The wind's carrying it!Come on!

[ Whinnying ]

Belden!

Get all the horses and warn the other ranches!

Tell 'em we can't hold it with this wind!

Burns?Hmm?

No, no. It's just a-- It's a scratch.

You're lucky. Old Slim got some pretty bad burns.

[ Men Chattering ]

West range gone?

Burnt to the ground.

And the north valley-- burnt to the ground.

That's practically half the winter grazing shot.

Where we gonna feed 2,000 head of cattle?

Not here at Shiloh. That's for sure.

[ Exhales ]

[ Trampas ] It was as much my fault as his.

Well,

gotta do somethin'.

In case you can't read, that sign says "No Trespassing."

Yeah, well, right now I'm going in to talk to your boss.

You're smart, you'll come along and cooperate.

[ Cattle Mooing ]

[ Virginian ] Mr. Northrup, we're both in the same kind of trouble.

We don't wanna move our cattle out of here before they're fattened up for spring market.

So I say let's move 'em somewhere else for winter feeding.

Where in blazes you gonna find pastures big enough?

Well, no one place, that's the truth.

Gotta split 'em up into small groups.

Herd 'em off to 10, 15, maybe 20 different patches of graze, wherever we can find it.

We don't have time to hold a roundup to separate our cattle,

so we're just gonna have to work together.

Winter's settin' in hard already. Temperature's dropped to--

Boss, if he's making trouble--

No, he isn't. He's making sense. Go ahead.

The first thing we have to do is make a list of all the places we know that are still green.

There's Eagle Pass, of course, and Glenn Rocks.

What about Willis Turn? It could winter a hundred head or more.

[ Virginian ] Uh-huh.I see the idea.

How about Summerhill Pass?

We can move 200 head over there.That isthe idea, you see?

We split 'em up into many small drives--

two or three hands on each depending on the size of the herd.

I think it'll work, Mr. Northrup.

Cook said we should leave with our stomachs full.

It's porridge.

Oh, Gramps. Do we really have to go?

You're right. I shouldn't have asked.

But I was just thinkin', you're not mad at me, are you?

I mean about last night.

Honest, Gramps, I'm sorry.

What you got to be sorry about?

Well, I was just thinkin',

maybe I done somethin' or said somethin'...

to upset you, Gramps,

and maybe that's what happened to cause... the fire.

Oh, please, Gramps. I know how bad you must be feeling.

And I just want you to know, I don't blame it on you.

I know it was an accident.

Go on. Leave me be.

What do I care what you think?

Didn't you hear me? Git!

Let's see now. That takes care of the Bar X, old John Mays's place,

and we've sent big herds on to Hunter's Crossing.

What's next?Well, what about right here?

[ Virginian ] Barham Bend, huh? Mm-hmm.

It's a good 50, 60 miles over the pass. Yeah.

[ Trampas ] If the weather holds up, Andy and I can move 200 head.

Just the two of you?

Well, Slim's too badly burned to go. Andy and I are the only ones you got left.

- Better get started, I guess. - All right. We'll make it.

Trampas, I just came to say good-bye.

What do you mean "good-bye"? I'll be seeing you soon.

Trampas, I heard what you said about Slim getting burned.

How about lettin' Gramps take his place?

[ Scoffs ] No, Willy, I can't do that.

Gramps could do it. Honest, he could.

Why, in his day, he drove cattle over some of the worst mountains in the country.

Over the Chisholm Trail even. Why, in his day--

Yeah. Yeah, Willy, uh, I know.

In his day, he-- he was a fine cowboy. He sure was.

But I wouldn't want him to go on this trek.

It's gonna be rough, especially with the bad weather comin' on.

I-- I couldn't let him go even if he asked.

Don't you see? Gramps would never ask now after all that's happened.

He's just so proud. You'd have to ask him.

Look, Willy, um--

[ Sighs ] Well, your gramps is just getting too old...

to brand and herd cattle with us young fellas.

He's got himself a good job in town, and you can be a lot of help to him.

I just-- I couldn't ask him to come along if I wanted to.

That's right, Trampas. Don't ask him. Tell him.

Tell him he's gotta go with you. Tell him you need him.

Willy. Go on and tell him, Trampas.

You know you need that third man.

All right, pard. Let's go.

Thing is, I wouldn't do it for him...

but that he is in a spot.

How's a greenhorn like Trampas gonna make a cattle push like that...

without he's got along some trail-toughened fella...

with plenty of cow savvy?

The fact is,

must be the top hand's orders.

The Virginian?Trampas never would've thought of that hisself.

Gramps? Are you on your way?

Looks like, don't it?

Foreman says you'll be gone most part of a week.

Suspect so.

Well, hurry back, Gramps, and lots of luck.

Who needs luck?

Luck is for greenhorns,

not for cowboys that knows their trade.

I'll get them cattle through,

or--

or I won't be back at all.

Gramps.

He's gotta come back. He's gotta.

Don't worry. He'll be back.

[ Mooing ]

[ Man ] Whoa! [ Whistles ]

[ Wind Howling ]

[ Trampas ] We'll be in the line shack by tonight.

[ Wind Continues ]

Boy, listen to that wind. We're only halfway there.

Think that corral will hold them till morning?

It's pretty rickety.

Some more coffee?

Hey, you didn't eat nothin'.

[ Sighs ] Truth is, Randy, I--

I don't feel much like eatin'.

I believe my hand's worse.

Let's have a look at that. Here.

Hand getting worse?Well, it's sure sore.

What's these red lines running up here?

Can't be but one thing-- blood poisoning.

Are you sure?

You'd better let me lance that palm,

cut deep into that infection.

Hey, now wait a minute. We don't know anything about this.

You're not gonna let him do it, are you, Trampas?

Well, maybe, uh-- maybe the pain will be better by tomorrow morning.

And if not, we'll have to cut it open.

You could lose your whole arm.

[ Wind Howling ][ Mooing ]

[ Groans ]

What ya doin'?I'm getting this knife ready.

I've been watchin' him the last couple of hours.

Tossin' and turnin'. The longer we wait, the worse it's gonna get.

I don't know. Operate on him, you mean.

Yeah.Only a doctor oughta do that.

Well, we ain't got no doctor.

Makes no difference. I cut into plenty of cattle and horses.

There's nothin' to it, if you got a steady hand. All right.

[ Randy ] Trampas.All right!

Let's get 'er done.Get him over here.

Anything to stop this pain.

Now hold that arm steady.

[ Groans ] I'll hold it. I'll hold it.

And get that candle closer.

It's no use.

I've done it plenty of times in my day,

but I just don't see good enough anymore.

I might have known it.

Then what's your answer?

Get a doctor is what.

You can ride into Medicine Bow and be back with a doctor by mornin'.

- What about the cattle? - I'll stick around here and keep an eye on the herd.

One man can't hold a hundred head of cattle. They're hungry and they're ornery.

All we need now is some wolves, and they'll be scattered from here to kingdom come.

So, it's them cattle or his life.

I'll get the doctor.

You'd better get back to bed, Trampas.

Now, easy. Take-- Take it easy, son.

[ Cattle Bellowing ]

[ Whining, Howling ]

[ Howling ]

[ Howling Continues ]

[ Labored Breathing ]Wolves.

[ Howling ]

[ Howls ]

[ Bellowing ]

[ Bellowing ] [ Howling ]

[ Wind Howling ]

[ Howling ]

No.

No. No, it's not your fault.

It's no use.

No one man can hold those cattle. Not now.

You forget 'em. Just forget 'em.

[ Willy's Voice ] I just wanted to wish you lots of luck, Gramps.

Hurry back.

[ Murdock's Voice ] I'll get that cattle through,

or I won't be back at all.

I can't go back now.

Can't never go back.

No. No. It's not your fault.

It's-- It's not your fault. It's-- I told you.

[ Gasping Breath ]

Listen to 'em go.

Murdock?

[ Shouts ] Murdock?

Murdock!

Murdock!

Mr. Murdock!

Whoa.

Doc?

Wake up, Doc!

[ Pounding On Door ]

I'm not worried about him anymore. Now, the fever's passed.

Soon as he wakes up, give him some of that soup and then get him home.

Sure will, Doc.

Uh, on your way back, could you stop by Shiloh and tell 'em what happened?

Yeah, sure.Well, thanks a lot, Doc.

Ah, forget it.

[ Door Closes ]

Murdock! Murdock? [ Groans ]

Take it easy, Trampas.Oh!

Doc was here, took care of your arm.

[ Sighs ]

I sleep all night?

Two nights and two days, and you were out of your head most all the time.

What about the herd?

Yesterday when Doc was takin' care of you, I spent the whole day lookin'.

All I found was a few dead ones.

And the old man?Not a sign of him.

It'll take 20 men or more to comb them mountains.

All I remember is...

he was gonna try and save the herd.

I told him it couldn't be done.

But he was determined to try.

With them wolves and that storm, there's not much chance.

Best thing we can do is eat that soup and get back to Shiloh...

and try to get up a search party.

What am I gonna tell that kid?

Trampas is back!

Hi, Trampas! Hi, Randy! Boy, am I glad to see you.

- Willy, how are you? - I'm fine.

Doc Spaulding told us what happened. How's the hand?

Oh, it's all right.Mmm, good.

You'll both be happy to know that all the drives are doing fine.

'Cept ours, huh?

- Well, as a matter of fact-- - Let me tell him.

Go right ahead.

Gramps done it! He got the herd through.

- He got it through? - Well, that's nigh on impossible.

Got a telegram from Barham Bend just this morning.

You know he only lost five head?What?

Well, how?Sheer determination and grit, I guess.

I'm gonna go wait for him.

They sure don't make cowboys like that anymore, do they?

No, Willy, they sure don't.

Yeah, that's the last of 'em.

That'll be the last of him. Darn fool. He's headed straight back here.

He should have stopped and rest up.

He'll never make it.

[ Murmurs ]

Almost suppertime, Willy. You better go wash up.

I'm not hungry.

Look, son. You wanna have enough strength...

to say hello to your gramps when he comes home, don't you?

Sure do.

Come on. You gotta eat.

[ Horse Approaching ]

Oh, Willy. Willy!

You, uh-- You got yourself a caller.Yeah, Trampas? Who?

Why don't you go take a look?Gramps!

Gramps!

Gramps!

Gramps. Gramps, what happened?

Easy, easy.

Willy.

My boot.

Look in my boot.

For you, Willy.

I've been... saving it for now.

Find it? Find the gold coin?

You got it?

Y-You got it?

Got it, Gramps. Twenty-dollar gold piece.

Won by the greatest, toughest cowboy ever.

Oh, Gramps. [ Sobbing ]

[ Door Closes ]

Doctor says he's gonna be all right.Oh, boy, oh, boy.

He has to rest for a few days. He wants to see you.

Willy.

When we, uh, put him to bed,

we took off his other boot.

We found this.

Double Eagle gold piece.

I knew it. I knew it all along.

[ Exhales ]