Original subtitles

[ Train Whistle Blows ]

[ Bell Dinging ]

You the fella from the Shiloh ranch?That's right.

I'm Billy Landers.Glad to meet you.

Got a room for you at the hotel. It's just up the street.All right.

Hey, it sure is peaceful.

I'm surprised. I'd heard Monolith was a real rip-roarer.

Yeah, real quiet these days.

Used to be pretty wild.

Things settled down, huh?Yeah. Things get settled down, you mean.

Yeah, that happens too. There's a bank handy?Yeah, right over there.

I've got a draft for your cattle.

I'd better put it on deposit if you want cash.Cash? Well, I heard of that.

Ain't sure I've ever seen any though.[ Chuckling ]

Who's the man with Billy?I don't know.

There was some talk old man Landers had a fella up in Wyoming...

set to buy some stock.Wyoming, huh?

That's a long way off. You'd have to ship 'em by rail.That's right.

A fellow'd do that, he'd have to drive 'em into the railroad pens.

Five thousand dollars! Oh, boy!

Just a minute. My name's Merle Frome.

Howdy. Town marshal.

You got business with this man?

- Might have. - What kind?

Private business. Well, that doesn't answer my question.

That's right.

You're new here. Where you from?

Wyoming, maybe?[ Sighs ] Well, it's, uh, really not your concern.

Anything you're involved in is liable to be my concern.

The old man has come down here...

to, uh, look over some of our cattle.

Oh? They don't have enough cattle in Wyoming?

Look, I've had a long ride on a dry train.

I thought I saw a saloon down the street.

You planning to buy some cattle from the Box X?

If I like the looks of 'em.I wouldn't do that if I were you.

I usually make up my own mind.

Now, you don't know anything about the Landers, do you?

Unless we've broken some kind of law, why don't you just leave us alone?

You mind what I said, mister.

Box X raises cattle. I buy cattle.

I don't think we have anything more to talk about, friend.

All right. You've been warned.

Is that what it was?

One more thing.

If you're gonna be in town for a while, you might as well know.

We like it very quiet here.

Fine.

I'm a very quiet man.

Beer all right?Good.

Two beers, Charlie.

[ Both Laughing ]

What was that all about?You mean Frome?

Does he make all the visitors to Monolith feel at home like that?

Oh! Excuse me.

Hello, Billy. What are you doing in town?Hello, Jimmy.

This is the foreman of the Shiloh ranch, Wyoming way.

Jimmy Brady, county sheriff.Howdy.

Pleased to meet you. Join us?Ah, it's a pleasure.

Haven't seen you around.Oh, comin' to meet our friend.

He's gonna look over some of our stock.Our scrubby old cattle?

You fill one of those skinny critters up with good Wyoming grass, and you've got something.

[ Laughing ]

You should have heard him talk back to Merle Frome.

Well, anybody who talks back to him is a friend of mine.

I get the feeling he's not too popular with you boys.

Nor with anyone else in town.

People don't like getting pushed around.

I gotta say he was a little pushy.A little?

[ Chuckles ] You're lucky he just talked.

Usually, he uses a gun barrel.Well, you're the sheriff.

But the Fromes run the township-- run it like they own it.

The county's my jurisdiction.

That's why we have a happy county and an unhappy town.

That bad, huh?Worse, maybe.

You know, bringing law and order to a town is one thing.

Setting up a reign of terror, that's another.

Oh, they make it look legal.

But when it gets so that a man is half afraid...

to walk down the street without winding up in jail,

that's too much-- way too much.

Sounds like you folks have got a problem. Me, I'm just passing through.

[ Chuckles ]

So you're going to buy some stock from the Box X, huh?

Maybe.Well, you'll like doing business with Jake Landers.

He'll treat you right. I've known him for years.

Tell me one thing. Why did Merle Frome warn me not to buy any cattle from your outfit?

Well, this is open range.

Indian reservations all around.

Lots of maverick cattle out there.

Now, I figure if you find a maverick and brand him, you'll take him in.

If you don't, the Indians will.

Now, I don't call that stealing.Neither do I.

But the Fromes do.

You take my advice. You stay away from them.

Like I said, I'm just passing through.[ Chuckling ]

[ Lowing ]

Well, there's some of them.

The rest of 'em are out on the east range.

Pretty thin.

Well, not bad for sagebrush and mud.

No telling what they'd do on that good Wyoming grass of yours.

Tell you what. We still got time for you to take a closer look...

and then make it back to the ranch in time for dinner.

Pa would raise Cain if you didn't eat with us.Done.

Well, it's the fella from up Wyoming way, Pa, from the Shiloh ranch.

Is that a fact? Well, we're sure pleased to see you, mister.

Take care of his horse, Billy.

Did you have a nice trip?All right.

Well, you gotta meet my folks. This is my oldest boy, Tom.

Welcome to Box X.This is Bobby. He's my middle boy.

Howdy.Howdy.

And my top hand, Curly Laughlin.Hi. How are you?

You're just in time for dinner.I wouldn't mind that a bit.

[ Chuckling ] As long as you're here, this is your home, son.

The whole Box X is yours.

No, no. I couldn't eat one more thing.Ah, come on.

You ain't eatin' enough to feed an Apache yet. [ Chuckles ]

Seems to me a fella would work up an appetite coming all the way from Wyoming.

- Well, they fed us on the train. - Oh, train food. Oh!

I went on a train once, and I like to starved to death.

You starve to death on anything less than a fresh quarter of beef.

[ Chuckles ]He's a growing boy.

- You don't like our food. - Oh, just fine.

But you boys have got me beat hands down.

Yes, sir.

Work hard, play hard, eat hard. That's how we look at it.

First time in Arizona, huh?

I've been in the territory before, but, uh, the first time in Monolith.

God's country, purely.

It ain't an easy place to make a living, but it's a good one.

Pa, Merle Frome stopped us in town. [ Chuckles ]

He tried to jostle Shiloh here, but he don't take much jostlin'.

Oh. [ Chuckles ]

Yeah? You tell old kingpin Frome where to get off?

We had a few words.

I gather he doesn't think too highly of you boys.

The feeling is mutual.You take my advice. You stay clear of him.

[ Chuckles ] Everybody gives me the same advice.

Well, it's sound advice. They're good for nothing but trouble.

How come you and the Fromes feel the way you do?

Oh, it ain't just us. Ever since they came here,

they've managed to pick a beef with just about everyone in town.

They've been ridin' us pretty good.

Look, it don't make no difference what a man's done in the past...

as long as he does everything all right in the present.

Ain't that right?Maybe.

Well-- You take Tom here.

Now, he was pretty wild as a kid.

Done a stretch in a Colorado prison, as a matter of fact.

He done somethin' wrong, but he paid his debt.

And you take Curly.

He used to hang around with Sam Bass once. You know how kids are.

- But it's in the past, you know what I mean? - I guess so.

Well, it ain't never in the past with the Fromes.

A man with a prison record is dishonest for the rest of his life.

- That's how they think, and they don't let up. - It's a fact.

It's gettin' so we can hardly go into town without bumpin' heads with the Fromes.

A lot of other people around here feel the same way.

Oh!

I reckon you wanna be ridin' out, take a look at the stock you're gonna buy.

Oh, it won't be necessary, Mr. Landers. Billy and I looked them over on the way in.

Well, good. Good. What do you think?

Well, they need some feedin', but, uh, that's what I'm buyin' 'em for.

As far as I'm concerned, it's a deal.

250 head delivered in town for $5,000.

Whoo![ Laughs ] That's fine by me. A deal it is.

Now, I can't have 'em ready till tomorrow for you.

That don't bother me none. Figured I'd ride back in and take a look at the town.

Hey, mind if I go with you?

I, uh, got a girl down at the Lost Lode Saloon.

[ Laughs ] You ain't man enough for no girl.

She thinks so.

[ Laughing ]Well, how about it?

Why not?Hey, how about me? Can I go, Pa?

Well, seein' as how you've been workin' pretty hard, I guess it can't do no harm.

But you be back here tonight, both of you.

We'll be drivin' the herd in first thing in the mornin'.

♪♪ [ Honky-tonk Piano ]

[ Chattering ]

Thanks.

That's her.

Ain't she something?Pretty.

She likes me. I gave her that necklace she's wearing.

She's kind to stray dogs too.

Here. Sit down.

She can hardly keep away from you.

We'll see.

Wish I had me a gal like that.

You're lucky. Ain't he lucky?

- Just bubblin' over with it. - Oh, you think so?

Well, she'll be over. She just has to be nice to the customers.

But I thought you and her were somethin' special.

Wouldn't have no gal of mine sittin' with that rock breaker.

Well, she ain't gonna sit there long.

No, sir.

I got a funny feeling she don't know she's your girl.

We'll see.

I want you to meet her.

Billy, uh, this might not be the right time.

No, you just watch.

[ Sighs ]

Uh, hey, Junie, I got someone I want you to meet.

- [ Man ] Go away, sonny. - Not now, Billy. I'm busy.

You heard her.

I ain't talkin' to you. Come on, Junie.

Go away, boy.I'll be right back.

For heaven's sake, Billy, can't you see I'm busy?

How come you wanna sit with him when I'm in town?

How do I know when you're comin' into town?

When I gave you that necklace, I figured it meant something.

It does.

It's the prettiest thing I own, and I like you for it.

But it can't interfere with my job.

Now, go on back to the table.

Maybe I can get rid of him later and-- and see you.

But the last time you said if I come into town--Never mind last time.

This is tonight. And they had a payday at the mine.

Now, leave me alone.

Hmm.

[ Chuckles ]

Junie, come right now.I said I'm busy.

[ Billy ] With him?

Just what's wrong with "him," cowboy?

Stop it.

I said come on.

[ Glass Breaks ]

[ Groans ]

Sit down.

- Sit. - You're drunk and disorderly, Landers. You're under arrest.

Now, wait a minute. He ain't done nothin'.

- You're under arrest too. - Now, hold on a minute.

You're gonna arrest someone, what about the man who hit him?

You've been drinking, mister?

I had a couple of beers.

You're drunk and disorderly. You're under arrest.

- What? - You want to argue?

You're pretty big, aren't you?

Big enough. Get movin'.

You too, mister.

The jail's right across the street.

You just gonna lay there?

Huh. It seems like I'm accomplishing as much as you are.

Wait till Pa hears about this.

He'll probably tell Billy to find himself a new girlfriend.

[ Footsteps Approaching ]

I was down at the stock pens.

Hmm.

Ed tells me he's expecting old man Landers...

to bring about 250 head in tomorrow.

Oh?

Except he's liable to be a mite shorthanded with his boys locked up.

Well, we wouldn't want that, would we?

Doesn't seem fair.

Let the boys out. Keep the other one on ice. Do him good.

You can go. Pick up your guns outside.

[ Laughs ] It's about time.Hey, what about him?

He's staying.

You two get before we change our minds.

We'll get you out of here first thing in the morning.

Hey.

What charges you holding me on?

I was just an innocent bystander, and you know it.

We've got laws against innocent bystanders.

Them Fromes a nice pair, ain't they?

Just fine.

You didn't do nothin' either, did you?Not that I know of.

I'm walkin' down the street, and they come up and say I'm committin' a disturbance.

So I told them-- I said I'm not committin' no disturbance.

I no sooner got it out of my mouth,

and one of 'em had his gun out, like to bust my head open-- for nothin'.

I wasn't even having any fun.I can believe that.

You can believe they ain't gonna get away with this,

'cause ain't nobody gonna bend a gun barrel around my head.

You got it?

What about him?

He's comfortable.

He's gonna yell.Let him yell.

Frome. Hey, Frome!

Hey, Frome!

Hey, Frome!

[ Door Opens ]

What's the matter? Didn't you like your breakfast?

When do I get out of here?

- Now, have we been mean to you? - I got things to do.

Well, you just be patient.

Look, you know as well as I do I didn't break any laws last night.

How come you let the Landers boys out and you're keeping me here?

Well, we don't like the Landers boys.

- We like you. - Well, you sure got a funny way of showing it.

We got our ways of doing things.

You'll get out... one of these days.

[ Door Closes ]

[ Cattle Mooing ]

[ Man ] Hyah!

[ Whistles ]

[ Men Shouting, Whistling ]

Hyah![ Mooing ]

Nice-looking stock, huh?

They ought to be.

Wanna serve it?

Sure.

All right, you can go.

Thanks a lot.

Hey. What about me?

You're getting out at noon.

Well, where's my gun?

You planning on shooting somebody?

I've heard worse ideas.

You don't believe in taking advice, do you?

Depends on who's giving it.

I told you not to buy the Landers's cattle.

And I told you I usually make up my own mind.

All I wanna do now is get my stock loaded and get out of this town.

- It's gonna be a little hard to do. - Downright impossible.

- Why is that? - Because we've just impounded that stock, mister.

It's being held.You what?

That goes for your $5,000 too.

We need that for evidence.

I'm afraid you're out of business.

Well, here he is.

Boys tell me you've been spending a little time in jail.

I'm afraid we've got a few problems.

Well, I don't see what. The cattle are all in.

Just pay us the 5,000, and you're on your way home.

They're in, and I can't touch 'em.

The Fromes have impounded the cattle and my money.

Impounded? What for?Well, they weren't too clear about that.

- Something to do with an investigation. - What are they investigating?

- They didn't say. - Same old story, boys.

Pa, I think it's time we put a stop to all this stuff.

I'm gettin' tired of the Fromes.

Before you do anything rash,

maybe the sheriff can get us some kind of a writ to get the cattle out.

Now, that's what I call thinkin'. I'll go with you.

Now, you boys stay here and you keep out of control.

We're gonna go see what Jimmy Brady has to say about this.

I might have known something like this would happen.

Well, you're not gonna help things any by trying to empty that bottle.

Well, I'm disgusted.

Maybe if his girl was here, she'd make him feel better.

Don't be funny.

Say, isn't she the girl you sent to Santa Fe for that fancy necklace for?

Yeah, but the miners are the only ones that are gettin' their enjoys out of it.

By rights I ought to take it back. [ Bobby ] From her?

Who you kiddin'? I could.

When a rooster lays eggs.

- Yeah? - I understand she's the original bank vault.

When she gets it, she keeps it.

Well, we'll just see about that.

I don't know about the law around here,

but frankly, I think the whole thing's illegal.

Well, they may have precedent in impounding the stock.

But how they think they can hold up your money--

How they think. They think they can get away with anything, that's how.

Typical Frome tactics.The question is, can we do anything about it?

I wouldn't be surprised.

Now, you go with me to Judge Sims's office and we'll swear out a complaint.

How about it, Jimmy? You think the judge will go along with us?

He will if he wants any Brady votes in the next election.

By golly, maybe this time they've gone a little bit too far.

Maybe this will help us fix their wagon for good.

- Who is it? - It's me-- Billy Landers.

What do you want? You got somethin' of mine.

- Go away. - I want my necklace back.

I'll talk to you later.

Now, Junie!

Now, you let me in!

[ Rapping ]Junie, let me in, or I'll bust it down, so help me.

[ Rapping Continues ]

Now, you let me in, Junie. Now, open this door. I want that necklace back!

[ Rapping ]

Now, you open up, or, so help me, I'll knock it down.

[ Door Rattling ] Get away from there, Landers.

I told you to git.

This ain't any of your business.

Are you arguing with me?

Now, you stop pushing me around.

We've taken about all we're gonna take from you.

Well, you wanna fight me, boy?

- You ain't so tough. - You wanna try me?

Let's see how stupid you are, sonny.

Next time your betters tell you something, boy, I wanna see you jump.

Look like you enjoyed that.

I did.

♪♪ [ Honky-tonk Piano ]

♪♪ [ Continues ]

Beer.

♪ If you got a woman hold her ♪

♪ If you got a woman treat her right ♪

♪ If you wanna keep her hold her ♪

♪ Hold your lovin' woman Hold her tight ♪

♪ Oh, men

♪ Girls are one in 10

♪ There's a reason then

♪ We're the precious female gender ♪

♪ Oh, men [ Men Laughing ]

♪ Odds are one to 10

♪ You're a loser, men

♪ When you're not in love

♪ If you got a woman kiss her ♪[ Laughs ]

♪ If you got a woman treat her right ♪

♪ If you wanna keep her hold her ♪

♪ Hold your lovin' woman Hold her tight ♪

♪ Oh, men

♪ Girls are one in 10

♪ There's a reason then

♪ We're the precious female gender ♪

♪ Oh, men

♪ Odds are one to 10

♪ You're a loser, men

♪ When you're not in love

♪ She will get you to the preacher ♪

♪ Isn't gonna do much good to fight ♪

♪ In her little hand she'll hold you ♪

♪ You'll never get away

♪ No, never get away

♪ Never get away She'll hold you tight ♪♪

[ Cheering, Whistling ]

♪♪ [ Piano: Western Ballad ]

Hello.Howdy.

You're Billy's friend, aren't you?That's right.

It's a terrible thing Merle Frome did to him today.Yeah, I heard about it.

Billy's a little wild, but he didn't rate anything like that.

Course nothing Merle Frome does surprises me.

You don't think much of him, huh?

You won't find anyone in this town who does-- him or his brother.

As far as I'm concerned, a girl can't make a living...

in a town that's capped up and stoppered.

- Frome boys are bad for business, eh? - It's a lot more than that.

When you have to keep looking over your shoulder...

for fear one of 'em is watching you all the time.

Look, I don't mind living in a nice, peaceful town.

I just don't like being afraid.

Don't tell me they'd rough up a girl. Maybe not.

But I depend on friends.

I know boys who used to travel 50, 60 miles just to buy me a drink.

Not anymore they don't.

They don't like the Fromes' jail.

I can't hardly blame 'em for not liking the Fromes' jail.

I'm kind of happy to be out of it myself.

Don't speak so soon.

You may be out of jail, but you're not out of town yet.

I hear you saw Judge Sims today.That's right.

You had a little run-in with Billy Landers today.

Not hardly.

- I bother you? - No.

Well, you bother me.

You like taking chances, don't you?

How about me buying you a drink?

Charlie.

[ Gunshot ]

[ Murmuring, Shouting ]

Merle.I'm all right.

Shot through the shoulder.Who did it? Did you see?

No, I didn't see, but I know.

Give me a hand with him. Somebody get the doc.

What's the verdict?

You Fromes are lucky.

Half an inch up or so to the right,

he'd have a shoulder full of smashed bone.

As it is, it went in, it came out.

Who do you think did it?Billy Landers.

- What makes you think that? - He doesn't like to be dunked.

It could have been anybody you hit over the head and threw in jail.

You boys don't go out of your way to make friends.

- It was him. - You'll have to prove that.

It's not easy to prove anything against the Landers, but we're working on it.

And when you see your friends, you tell 'em that.

I'll tell 'em.

Ben, I want you to go out to Charlie Hobkins first thing in the morning.

Get him in town to help us check out that herd.

I'd rather bring back Billy.In due time.

I don't suppose it'll do any good to tell you to go easy,

stay in bed a couple of days.Wrong time of the year, Doc.

Well, that's what I'm telling you. You do what you want.

[ Horse Whinnies ]

Hyah!

Good morning.Morning.

Found a little maverick with no place to call his own.

You always brand your mavericks with a running iron?

Usually. I prefer 'em.

I could write you a letter on a yearling's flank if I could write a little better.

You ride out to tell us the money's been cleared?

Not yet. Is Billy at home?

As far as I know.

Why don't you ride on in? Pa'll be glad to see you.

Thanks.

Well, howdy.Good morning, Jake.

Billy here?No. He's down on the south range.

It's just as well. I wanna talk to you.Come on in. Coffee's still hot.

Judge Sims spring your money yet?Not yet.

You got to sign this thing first.What's that?

Affidavit.Ah, yeah.

Mm-hmm.

Yep.

That's the way it happened.

You hear what happened last night?

Not unless it happened here.

Somebody took a shot at Merle Frome.

Is that a fact? Hit him, I hope.

Hit him. Not bad, but close.

[ Chuckles ] Well, well.

And some folks say there ain't no justice.

[ Chuckles ]The, uh, Fromes think it was Billy that did it.

It figures they would. They'll try anything.

Have you got any idea how many people there are...

that are just dying to take a crack at either one of them Fromes?

Some, I imagine.You can bet on it. But it wasn't Billy.

Can you be sure of that?He was here all night, drying out.

He had a headache.

Merle Frome buffaloed him. Like to bust him wide open.

Well, that's why they think it was him.

Well, it wasn't. We'll all swear to it.

Well, I think there's a good chance they may come after him, Jake.

Well, if they do, they'll have a fight on their hands.

Well, the shooting happened in town.

If they think they can prove Billy did it, they'll get a legal warrant.

- You can't fight that. - I can fight anything the Fromes try to pull.

You don't know 'em like I do.

They'll come after Billy first and worry about a warrant later.

Thanks for letting me know about the Fromes.

You run into either one of them, you tell 'em they'll be smart to leave my boy alone.

Oh, there's one other thing.

On the way out here, I ran into Tom. He was branding a calf.

Uh-huh. We do that here, this being a ranch and all.

He was using a running iron, Jake.

Yeah.

One of the best hands I ever seen with a running iron, that boy.

Kind of, uh, unusual-- branding with a running iron, isn't it?

Well, he likes a running iron, that's all.

It's your ranch.

We don't like being thrown in jail for nothin'...

or being pushed around.

Well, now you're giving us plenty of good reason.[ Chuckling ]

Not yet we haven't.

But we're fixin' to.

Oh.

I'm sorry I don't have a buggy whip for you, Frome. That's what you rate.

You're digging your own grave-- all of you.

[ Chuckles ]

I'd watch all that loose talk about graves if I were you.

Can't even stand on his own feet without his brother around.

Hey, maybe we ought to see how fast he can run, huh?

Yeah. Why not? Come on! Come on!

[ Horse Nickers ]

[ Galloping Hooves ]

Whoa. Whoa.

Whoa.

What happened?I'd say he's been dragged.

Who by?That I couldn't say.

Then they dragged me.

Three of 'em.

I reckon this fella came by later.

Well, you'll be all right in a couple of days, Ben.

And you're gonna be pretty stiff for a while.He bounces well, Doc.

Well, it's a good thing it didn't go any further, that's all.

Stay in bed for a while.

The way things are going, you boys are gonna run out of beds.

Wait a minute.

We owe you something.

No, you don't. I'd have done the same thing for anyone.

But you did it for a Frome.Let me buy you a drink.

I'm careful who I drink with.

So are we.

I'll buy you a drink, and don't give me an argument.

Charlie.

You're not drinking.I don't drink much.

We've been a little tough on you.

You haven't made a lifelong friend of me, I'll say that.

Whether you believe it or not, we've got our reasons.

I believe it.And they're good ones.

That I'd have to be shown.

My brother and I are peace officers.

Some people call us town tamers. It's a rough line of work.

I've known a lot of peace officers in my time.

They didn't have to resort to the tactics you use.

Maybe they didn't have the same kind of problems we do.

Now, you take Monolith.

We don't have any authority outside the township.

So we have to improvise.

Like impounding those cattle?

We need those for identification.

Whose identification?

For the half dozen or so ranchers...

who've been slowly bled dry over the past few years.

I'm talking about a regular planned bleeding-off process.

Hundreds of head-- from all the ranchers in this area.

Except Jake Landers, huh?

Ah, he's complained to Brady a few times.

Brady will believe anything.

These other ranchers took those stories to the sheriff too, but nothing ever happened.

They brought 'em to us.

But we couldn't do anything,

not without getting our hands on some of Landers's cattle first.

That's why we didn't try too hard to keep you from buying his cattle.

So you decided to use me to get the cattle into town.

- That's right. - Well, I don't like being used.

Look, you've seen the kind of people the Landers are--

the way they dragged Ben.

Anybody who'd do a thing like that...

wouldn't be afraid of a nice, safe bushwhacking job.

They're tough, so we got to be just as tough.

[ Sighs ] You're doing that.

I tell you the Landers are behind every cattle theft,

every stage robbery in this part of the country.

How come Sheriff Brady doesn't seem to know anything about this?

Brady's a politician. He doesn't wanna rock the boat.

One way to have a good record as a lawman is to never make any arrests.

But you don't like that way.Sure, we make lots of arrests.

But Monolith is a quiet town.

Yeah, from what I've seen, it's also a town full of people who hate the Fromes.

That's their privilege.

Look, I don't wanna get involved in this.

You got me fixed so I can't move. My money, my cattle--

You know how to check and see if a brand has been altered?

Sure. Skin the steer.

That's right. It's being done right now.

You got authorization to do that?

Sometimes you have to skin first and authorize later.

What are you gonna do about Ben?

I'm bringing in Billy Landers.

I figured you would. Jake won't like it.

Fine.

He told me to tell you there'd be shooting if you tried to take Billy.

It's overdue.

They dragged Ben in county territory, you know.

I've been shot. Ben's been hurt.

I'm getting a little mad.

I can't say as I blame you.

You, uh, changing your mind about the Landers, are you?

I'm doing a lot of thinking about it.

All right, Frome, make it snappy.

What do you wanna see me about?

Where's Merle?He had something to do, Sheriff.

You know Charlie Hobkins.Of course I do. Now, what is it?

Well, we slaughtered a couple of steers out of that herd...

that Jake Landers drove in.

Oh, he'll love that.

- Box X. - Did you have to skin it to find that out?

Take a look.

Lazy L.My steer. My brand.

You can see where it was altered.We got another one just like it.

[ Hobkins ] I went through that herd.

I'd bet money that 10 or 12 of 'em are mine, and maybe even more.

Now, we didn't think it was necessary to slaughter the whole herd.

It might be interesting though.

I wouldn't have believed it.

Well, I complained to you often enough about it, Sheriff.

I never had any proof. I checked Landers's herds lots of times.

I never found anything wrong.Pretty good running iron work.

Yes, it is.

Tom Landers is right proud of the way he works a running iron.

He told me so himself.

I'll-- I'll swear out a warrant.

No hurry, Sheriff.

You see those hides?I saw them.

Now, maybe somebody will do something about it.

Sheriff, I picked this boy up in county territory.

Arrested him for assault and attempted murder.

You might add rustling to those charges, Sheriff.

I'll hold him.

You're taking their word?

I thought you was our friend.

Sheriff, I'd be very unhappy if he got out of jail somehow.He won't.

But the next time you've got somebody to arrest in the county,

you tell me, and I'll do it.

Is that clear?Be glad to from now on.

Get movin', Billy.When my pa hears about this, he's gonna be in town.

I've got a room for him too.

They're crazy. I didn't do anything.

You could have killed Ben, dragging him like that.

Well, he looks all right to me. Besides, he had it coming.

You feel the same way about Merle?

- Yeah, I do. - But you missed.

- I didn't say I shot at him. - You don't have to.

Sheriff, if you're gonna lock me up, let's get going.

[ Door Closes ]

Anybody know you took him yet?Not yet.

- He didn't wanna come with me. - I bet he didn't.

I think I can get your money for you now.

There's a train north at 5:00.

I'll be on it. That's very prudent.

And I'd like you to sign a statement before you leave...

about witnessing the brands on those hides.

All right.

Pa! Pa! Whoa!

Pa, Merle Frome arrested Billy and took him into town.

He turned him over to the sheriff, and Brady locked him up.

- Well, that does it. - One more thing, Pa.

Them Fromes skinned a couple a head of our stock.

They seen the Lazy L brand.

Tom, you go get Curly.

- What are we gonna do, Pa? - What we should've done a long time ago--

chase them Fromes clean out of town.

- What about Billy? - There ain't no man can hold no son of mine in jail.

Fromes nor Jimmy Brady.

All it says is that you witnessed Charlie Hobkins...

identifying those hides as coming from his cattle.

I can read.Good.

Here.

What about my money?

Give this to Adams at the bank. It should do.

Well, are you just gonna sit there?

It's a nice place to sit.

Look at you. You're scraped raw, too stiff to move.

You've got a bullet hole in your shoulder.

And both of you know Jake Landers is gonna come riding into town...

with four or five men after your scalp.

Well, if he doesn't, I have to ride out and get him.

Three schoolboys and one small dog could stand you off,

the condition you're in.Maybe.

It wouldn't be a fair fight if you were in good shape as it is.

It's none of my business,

but couldn't you at least try to make some preparations, get some hands on your side?

You forget, friend. This is a town full of people who hate the Fromes.

- The chips are down now. - This is where we earn our money.

Your train leaves in about an hour.

You could at least try to get some help.

He worries a lot, doesn't he?

For a Wyoming man.

It's our business.

It'll get you killed.

You won't even hear about it.

You'll be on the train.

[ Door Closes ]

He's right.

We can count on at least five of them.

I reckon.

You had to go and get yourself shot.

It was a dull night.

You, you're stiff as a board.

Not that stiff.

You reckon they'll come?

Oh, sure, they'll come.

It's a lousy town.

A time like this, they all are.

Hello.

Howdy.

You pouring?Anything you like.

Whiskey.

Sure is quiet.We're expecting some bad weather.

A lead-storm, hadn't you heard?

It seems like everybody just dropped out of sight.

Who wants to get shot?

The whole town feels that way?

Why not?

Well, the Fromes could use some help, you know.

Well, they won't get it from Monolith.

What kind of a town is this?

[ Chuckles ] Practical, mister.

If the Landers win, the Fromes are off our backs.

If the Fromes win,

well, at least it won't be any worse.

Myself, I'm rooting for the Landers.

The Fromes, they don't hardly drink at all.

What are you worried about? It's none of your business.

That's right.

By now this whole town knows that the Fromes are right about the Landers.

How can they just stand by?

Don't cry to us about the Fromes, mister.

It's their problem.

Right or wrong, nobody thinks much of them.

Now, if it was the Landers you was worried about--

After all, you were pretty friendly with Billy.

So were you.

I'm like you. Business is business.

[ Blowing ]

[ Blowing ]

They'll be here soon.

Jimmy Brady!

You got my boy in there, Jimmy. Trot him out.

He's in to stay.

Is that a way to treat an old friend?

You're no friend of mine. You're under arrest--

all of you.Aw, now, you wouldn't do anything foolish.

You've been rustling cattle in my county. I won't stand for that.

Now, turn in your guns.

He wants us to turn in our guns.

Bobby, give him your gun.

All right, get him inside.

Tom, take his keys and get Billy out of there.

[ Footsteps Approaching ]

You all right, boy?Yeah. Sure, Pa.

They're already here.

They didn't waste any time.

They got Billy out.

We can't have that.

You sure you're all right?I'm all right.

How about you?I'll make out.

We'd better go.

There they are, Pa.Yeah, I see 'em.

Billy, you stay with me.

Tom, get over in front of the horses. Curly, across the street.

Bobby, you stick close to Tom.

[ Train Whistle Blowing ]

[ Whistle Continues ]

[ Bell Dinging ]

Your train's in, mister.

There's that Shiloh fella. Think he'll be with them?

It'll be his hard luck.

It'll make three.

I can count.

There's five of them.

Go catch your train.

Like I told you, it's our problem.

You expect me to just get on that train and ride out of here, huh?

Your business here is finished, isn't it?

You better get out of here, mister.I can't get.

Why not?

Because you two have been so blamed sure you were right all along,

I'm gonna show you where you're wrong.

- Where's that? - You say that nobody will step out with you...

when the chips are down.

[ Train Whistle Blowing ]

Can you use that gun?

I can use it.

You're a very foolish man, mister.

I'm not alone.

What are we gonna do with him, Ben?

May have to bury him.

Tom and Bobby at the corner.

Laughlin will be around the side of the building.

What do you want, Frome?

Billy.

And all the rest of you. You're under arrest.

That's what Jimmy Brady said. We didn't believe him either.

Now, throw down your guns, and there'll be no trouble.

What charges you got against us?

[ Merle ] Aggravated assault,

attempted murder, rustling.

We ain't done none of them.

What are you doing with them?

Dying, most like.

I hope not.

We'll start with the boy.

Billy Landers, step out here.

Come and take him.

[ Whistle Blowing ]

How's Ben?Just a hole in his leg. He'll be all right.

I didn't get a chance to say thanks.

Forget it.

I still say you were foolish.

All right, I was foolish.It wasn't your fight.

I wouldn't have been in it if it hadn't been.

It still doesn't explain why.

Sometimes you just can't stand by.

You don't wanna get involved, but you have to.

This town might learn that... if you give it a chance.

What'll happen to the Landers?

It's not up to me.

Come back and see us someday.

Not if I can help it.

Look, mister, Ben and I don't expect to be liked.

If too many people like a peace officer, he's not doing his job right.

Just one thing before I go.

- What would it take to make you smile? - I don't know.

[ Whistle Blowing ]