Original subtitles

[ theme song playing ]

Give him his gun.

Hope you're not so careless with it next time.

We don't want you back here.

Here's your release to show you served out your time.

$5 traveling money. It's customary.

Go buy yourself a prison.

[ clinking ]

[ imitates air whooshing ]

Brung you a horse, Bert.

Gonna need him for sure.

Did you find her?

Feller in Rock Spring wants to hire three guns.

He asked for you special, Bert.

Did you look for her?

Told him a week from Tuesday.

I asked you about her.

Forget about her for a while, will ya? She ain't worth it.

Don't tell me who to forget about

and don't tell me what she's worth!

Bert, cut it out!

You tell me where she is.

I asked you! Tell me where she is!

Place called Medicine Bow.

She's teaching school.

Bert, listen, this guy in Rocky Springs--

Shut up. Just shut up.

I'll meet y'all there on Sunday.

I always wanted to go to Medicine Bow.

Come on, hyah!

Easy, now, lady.

Easy. Don't you slide off those eggs.

You and I are going on a little trip.

Taking her into the teacher.

Sure.

That hen's got a lot to learn.

It's for the kids.

She teaches them arithmetic with it.Oh.

Takes 21 days for those eggs to hatch out.

That's how she teaches the young ones to count.

If you ask me, she could teach 'em just as easy to count

by counting them roosters outside her door.

Yep, from what I hear, every man in town,

barring those that have wives or busted legs.

Mm-hmm.

Only natural that schoolteacher should cause a stir.

She's new and she's pretty.

And smart thrown in.

Thought I'd mention it, so to speak,

in case you had any notions to, uh,

ask her to the dance.

Boy, I bet there's a line a mile long waiting to ask.

That many?

One more won't make any difference.

That's right. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[ knocking ]

Come on in, Rafe.

Howdy.

I heard you were going into town.

Good thing I caught you.

Something wrong?

No, I...

Just picking up my time.

You're quitting?

Now, here's a man that's got some sense.

Sorry to lose you, Rafe.

You won't find many spreads better than Shiloh.

Well, I wouldn't argue with that.

Maybe you ought to talk to the Judge about it.

He'll be back from St. Louis the end of the week.

It wouldn't do no good.

I value you trying to help, but, well, uh,

it's just something I gotta do by myself.

Saddle up. I'll have your money in the office.

Uh, you want to tie on behind,

you can ride with me.

Slower, but it'd be somebody to talk to.

I'm much obliged, only I'm in a bit of a hurry.

I gotta get into town before school lets out.

Oh, just as you say,

one more shouldn't make any difference.

[ screaming ]

[ ringing bell ]

Quiet, children! Please!

You have five minutes more.

Jo, swings are for sitting, not standing.

Yes, Miss Perry.

Tommy, take it easy.

Five minutes? You can make up your mind.

It just takes a easy yes or no.

And, uh, two of you to ask?

Cal was born and bred a coward, ma'am.

Well, then, perhaps I'd better go with somebody else.

Well, now, that depends on what you're looking for.

If you was a-hopin' that a gentleman

would take you by the arm...

I most truly was.

Kenny!

Kenny Beesom, leave Jo alone!

I done told you, boy!

Don't you pester no girls.

It sure ain't easy,

being both pa and ma to that boy.

Now, about that dance.

Now, Cal, don't you go start pesterin' no girls.

Miss Martha, I think you're already going to that dance.

I think maybe you just kind of joshin' us, ain't ya?

Well, um...

As a matter of fact.

RAFE: Ma'am?

Could I--could I talk to you, ma'am?

She's talking to us.

It's, uh, real important.

Well, it'll have to wait.

Gentlemen, I only have a moment anyway,

and there'll be lots of other times, I'm sure.

Now, I do appreciate your stopping by like this,

and I'll see you next Saturday, right?

You must save me a dance, now,

or I'll be deeply offended.

Now, you wanted to talk to me, hmm?

I'm afraid I can't guess

if you don't want to tell me.

I want to get some learnin'.

I want to go to school.

Say, is this Medicine Bow?

Yup.

Say, your horse looks like

he needs this more than mine does.

Here, I don't mind.

What do you say, Bert?

Ryker.

Five years.

Put on some weight.

Not you.

Maybe a hired gun eats better, huh?

I ain't here to hire out.

I thought I'd tell you that to save you asking.

What, then?

Well, that's personal.

Must be kind of important, huh?

I wouldn't say him and me's been walkin'.

If you stay, you got some things to learn.

Don't matter we ever rode together.

Man sure can change, can't he?

You leave your gun.

Little piece of tin there on your shirt

really makes you different, don't it?

Which way is the school from here?

End of the road, turn right,

back the other end of town.

You pick up your gun when you leave.

Don't bother to clean it, hear?

See, I'm starting to learn right off.

Hyah!

[ laughing ]

Quiet, children.

[ laughing ]

Shh.

That's very good, Rafe,

but think of it as a house,

and the roof must always point up.

Thank you, ma'am.

You may sit down now, Rafe.

[ giggling ]

Shh, children.

Now, for the second letter, B...

just think of honeybee.

And that shouldn't be too difficult,

because there you have a couple of hives.

Now, you put it the right way, and you have B.

Is that clear?

Yes, ma'am, that's real clear.

You forgot to raise your hand!

Well, I'm sorry I forgot.

Go ahead, Rafe.

Well, it's clear to me,

but it won't be to the honeybees

with the hive standing on edge like that.

The honey'll run out.

[ laughing ]

Then perhaps I'd better teach them, too.

But not today. Time's up.

Wait, children. Wait for the bell.

Rafe, would you stay a moment?

I, uh, just wanted to say

about the children,

if they laugh when you don't want them to--

Oh, why, they just young is all.

They don't mean no harm.

Big fellow like me not knowing how to read?

But you will.

Yes, ma'am, I will, that's for sure.

It just rubs me how long it's gonna take.

Shouldn't take long.

How long, ma'am?

Well, perhaps I can give you extra help.

[ children fighting ]

All right, all right!

Kenny Beesom, fighting again?

What is your excuse this time?

Teacher asked you something.

Let go!

When you're ready to settle down--

Let me go! You're hurtin' me!

Wait till I tell my pa!

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt none.

Of course.

Well, I think the rest of you

better run along now.

I'm sure you have chores at home.

I just didn't know how tight I was holding him.

I'll stand witness, Rafe.

[ clucking ]

Howdy.

You know each other?

Well, I worked at Shiloh, ma'am, couple weeks.

More than some and less than others.

Just started settin' this morning.

Ah!

Younger children learn to count

by counting the days till the eggs hatch.

That's real smart, ma'am.

Want to put 'er over in the shade?

I sure will. I'll take good care of her.

Regular. You count the days I miss,

you won't count to nothing.

Sounds like he's gonna be around a lot.

Yes.

Every day?

Yes.

That was very nice of you to remember the hen,

but you shouldn't have taken a special trip.

Thank you.

Uh...

Something special?

Very special.

He wanted some learning. He's going to school.

I, uh, didn't make a special trip.

I was coming to the dance anyway.

The dance? But that's Saturday night.

This is only Thursday.

I would've asked you before,

but I couldn't get away.

Well, I'm terribly sorry and flattered too, but...

You're already promised?

I'm afraid so.

But didn't Trampas tell you?

No, ma'am.

I guess he forgot.

Got that old hen bedded down soft and easy.

Now if only I could do the same for myself.

You have no place to stay?

Oh, don't worry about it. I'll make out all right.

You want a ride into town?

Much obliged.

I'm gonna be Johnny come early.

You'd better fix up some more of those letters.

Bert.

School's gotta have two doors.

I'm lucky.

You were in prison.

Uh-huh, I'm out.

But you didn't finish your sentence.

Well, I got time off for good behavior.

I was polite to the warden.

No kiss?

Or maybe you had your fill of kissin'.

Eighteen months is a long time.

Please.

You know, it's funny how you get

to thinking about things.

I used to think 20 times a day

that you'd be waiting for me.

You had no reason.

Well, you get to thinking about a lot of things.

Bert, it's finished.

You, uh, can say your good-byes in a couple of days,

'cause we'll be riding out of here on Sunday.

Bert, listen to me. I am not riding out.

Well, I can't see what kind of a life you'd have here,

not after they find out what you are.

I am a teacher.

I'm the first teacher they've had here in eight months.

Miss Martha Perry.

[ chuckles ]

That's all sugar and spice.

Why, that's almost perfect,

'cept that ain't your name.

Kramer, Mrs. Bert Kramer.

That's your name.

I ought to know.

I married you out of a two-bit saloon.

That could turn some folks.

Didn't turn you.

Well, I'm different.

When it comes to you...

I get all confused.

Bert, you might as well know.

Know what?

I couldn't do it while you were in prison,

but I'm going to get a divorce.

I still haven't had my kiss.

Is there somebody else?

Why don't you tell me who?

No, that's all right.

Maybe you won't have to.

I'll find out.

I wasn't hardly seven when my ma was took,

and the next year Big Rafe.

That your dad?Yeah, Pa.

He was called Big Rafe and I was Little Rafe,

so we could tell which one folks were talking to.

Then he died.

Well, neighbors kind of took me in.

Being kind of big,

there was always folks ready to take you in.

Whoa.

Payin' boys' wages for a man's work, huh?

Yep. About only thing I missed was a school.

Well, uh, what makes you want it now?

Not now. I always wanted it.

Always.

All these years I kept saying to myself,

"Rafe, you ain't gonna be like your pa.

"You're gonna-- you're gonna learn to write your name,

not just make a mark,"

then getting more and more ashamed,

too shamed to even ask somebody to teach me.

Then I heard the talk about this teacher,

how kind and gentle she was.

Well, you know.

Have you thought about how you're gonna live?

Oh, I'll find a job somewhere, I suppose.

Try the harness shop right there.

Thanks. I will.

Uh, the owner's Mrs. Kobey.

Her husband died a while back.

She talks a lot, but she's a good soul.

Lots of good people in this town.

Pa, there he is! That's him!

Pa, you got him. He's the one that hurt me.

Well, now, I didn't mean to hurt you.

That's the honest truth, mister.

I was just holding him, bustin' up a fight.

I'm awfully sorry, mister, really sorry.

Just don't you tetch him again!

You don't have to worry about that.

You said you was gonna give him a hidin'.

Git on home.

But Pa!

Ahem. I don't think I know your friend.

Ryker, this is Rafe Simmons.

He's quitting Shiloh for town.

He's nosy, like all sheriffs.

I'm just lazy.

I like to see a man

that backs off from trouble.

You, uh, coming in here to work?

To work and, well, I'm going to school.

School?

Sure gonna be crowded.

Sure is.

Well, you find the time,

you come in and talk with me.

I'll do that for sure.

He'll be all right.

Yeah.

[ laughing ]

So I walked right up to this big hunk of lard

and I lay it out for him, plain and simple.

I said, "You touch that kid again,

"and I'll take the hide right off'n of you.

I'll cut you down 'twixt the fat and the fur."

[ laughing ]

Well, what'd he say to that?

Just yes-sirred me all over the place.

Nose so low it was makin' tracks.

You know, Cal,

them big fellows are like that sometimes--

all size and no sand.

Right.

Yeah, all blowed up just like a gas balloon.

Just give 'em one little poke and they're gone.

Well, first thing,

get over to the stable.

Pure waste of money to board your horse.

There's plenty of room out back in the shed.

Now, you just take your time

and get good and settled.

There's nothing to do around here

that can't wait a little while longer.

You come back. I'll fix you something to eat.

Boy your size, I expect you'll find the room.

Oh, it's sure nice having you here.

After you look around, you'll see

that I need you more than you need me.

Oh! My, I've been talking your ear off.

Uh, I-I'm sorry.

Oh, no, ma'am.

It's real nice having someone to talk to.

Yes. It is.

Well, now. Git!

How many times you gonna tie that, Walt?

Ain't he the dandy?

Maybe if you put on a tie,

Cal, that schoolmarm'd look at you.

You had on a tie. She didn't look at you.

Too busy looking at that big feller.

You know, that beats me, him going to school like that.

Why, that's like a range bull

feeding with a bunch of kittens.

I'd like to've asked him about that.

Yeah, why don't you, Cal?

I never meant y'all to think I was holding

no grudges or nothing like that.

Wait a minute, Cal. Now, listen.

If he's like you said he was--

You know Ryker don't stand for no trouble.

No trouble, just a little funning, unless that was all talk.

No! It wasn't all talk. Come on, now.

Go on, hear?

Howdy.

How do you like our school?

Oh, fine. I like it fine.

He's real big for a schoolboy, ain't he?

They must be putting something in the milk.

I never seen a six-year-old that big.

He ain't six, Hank, he's seven.

Ain't you seven, boy?

Well, speak up! Cat got your tongue?

Oh, how'd he know? He can't even spell it.

Sure he can! Go on, boy.

Spit out "cat" for me.

Go ahead. Spell it for us.

Maybe cat's too big for him.

Maybe we ought to start him out

on something small, like mouse.

[ laughing ]

Like a shivering, skeert, yellow-bellied mouse.

Rafe, you want a lift?

Well, if you're going by the stable.

Climb up.

Get up there.

Get up. Get up.

[ knocking ]

Oh! Why, Mr. Ryker.

What a pleasant surprise.

Unless you've brought the law with you.

Oh, no. No, I'm just passing by

and, uh, wondering if you were all right.

Fine. Why shouldn't I be?

Well, I've been worrying about you,

living here alone, you know...

Oh, I'm used to that.

Well, no, I don't mean you.

I mean the men, they, uh...

We got all kinds in the town here.

I'm used to that too.

Well...

It was certainly very nice of you to be interested,

and I can assure you if I ever do need help...

Well, you just let me know.

It's funny, but I never figured Ryker to be the one.

He sure always had a way with the ladies, though.

Was it him?

You might as well tell me.

Please go. I don't want you here.

You know I'm gonna find out.

I got till Sunday.

Bert...

It's either him or somebody.

You know I'm gonna find out.

So I said to him, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained,"

and he took to it like jam spread on honey.

Went sashayin' up to the schoolhouse door

with that silly hen in his cage

and asked her to the dance.

[ laughing ]

Boy, I'd give a month's pay to see his face.

"Oh, I thank you, Mr. Virginian,

"for asking me to the dance,

but it just so happens I'm going with Trampas."

[ laughing ]

You know, he hasn't said anything in three days.

I don't want to be around when he says something.

[ whistling ]

Howdy. Well.

I was, uh, wondering when you'd get back.

I got held up.Oh!

♪ I dream of Martha with the light blonde hair ♪

Eight buckets boiling,

three short cold.

Make it just right for a bath.

Might be kind of cold by the time you get back.

Back? From where?

North Fork. There's a lot of fence down up there.

I'd say about a quarter of a mile.

Fence?

Mm-hmm.

Steers running all over the place.

They start going off that headwall, it could get expensive.

Now, now, just hold on a minute.

Twenty-fourth, right? Saturday the 24th.

Right. Right, that's my day off.

That's what I signed for,

every other Saturday, 3:00 p.m.

Except for a special reason.

And this has got to be a special reason.

I'm short-handed.

I got six men gone on that trail drive.

What about those two out there?

Somebody's got to stay on the place.

Don't worry, you'll have some help. Randy's up there.

Matter of fact, he asked for you special.

That much fence to fix,

we won't get back here till, well, 10:00.

Oh, I'd say 9:30.

Well, I'm due in town in an hour.

I'm going to the dance.

With the teacher.

Oh, you never told me. I'm sorry.

Don't worry about it. You might even be lucky.

Maybe she can't dance.

Who was gonna dance?

That's very good.

But, uh, why did you want to learn to spell mouse?

In case someone asked.

Well, it really...

isn't the writing.

It's the reading,

being able to...

to read something somebody wrote down.

Well, that'll come soon.

How soon?

You're trying to pin me down again.

It's so terribly important?

Yes, ma'am, it is.

Why?

Well, well...

It--there's something I gotta read.

Read?

Well, it's my ma's.

She used it for her writing,

'fore she died.

I'm sorry.

I remember it real well.

I-I wasn't more than seven,

and nights when Pa was away on roundups

and out with trail herds and things like that,

Ma, well...

she'd sit by a lamp

and sometimes she'd write in it.

And sometimes she'd--she'd

just sit there, reading,

and kind of smiling to herself.

She was real pretty and gentle-like, good.

Anyway, she was good to me.

She left the journal for you?

No, ma'am. She...

Well, I found it in her things

when I was packing them.

Well, what's the next word?

Well, I think that's enough for today, Rafe.

It was very good.

Oh, yes'm.

Thank you, ma'am.

Rafe...

Would you like me to read your mother's journal to you?

No, ma'am. It wouldn't be the same.

I mean, somebody else reading it.

Not that I'm not grateful.

I understand.

Didn't you ever ask your father?

Wouldn't do no good. He couldn't read either.

How are you, boy? How's your arm?

Y-you know, it's lucky I run into you.

Save me the trouble of looking for you.

I carved it myself.

Well, I thought you might need a whistle.

Oh, uh, unless you're too old.

Teach you how to make bird calls with it.

I-I didn't hear no thanks.

Thanks.

It's Saturday.

You got all them mugs to clean.

Where you been?Nowheres, Pa.

Oh, comes to lollygagging.

All right, go on. Get to work.

Yes, Pa.

[ whistle clatters ]

What you got there?

Nothing. Ain't nothing, Pa.

Let me see it.

You got money to waste on whistles?

Didn't spend no money, Pa.

You been rolling dice again?

No, honest. It was a gift to me.

Gift to you? By who?

I done asked you, boy. Who give it to you?

Him.

Him?

That ain't no answer. Who give it to you?

If you wasn't lying, you'd know fast enough.

I'm a mind to--Pa, it was him!

Rafe Simmons.

The big feller?

He give you this?

You didn't have to take no whistle from him.

You could've come to me.

I'd have made you one.

You never did, Pa.

You never asked me.

To go to him...

I didn't go to him, Pa.

That's the honest truth.

He was just in front of Miss Martha's place

and he seen me, and he stopped me there.

The teacher?

He was to the teacher's?

Just in front of her place.

And he seen me.

And he give me the whistle.

Said he's carved it hisself.

Special for me.

Pa?

He ain't bad.

Just dumb is all.

Seemed he was trying to make it up.

Pa!

Go on and get your supper.

It's warmin'.

Sam!

Just coming over.

Got any answers?

Some, but not too much.

Killed a fellow in Quarryville,

but had hisself covered pretty good.

The only charge they could bring was manslaughter.

That's two years.Less than that.

Watched his Ps and Qs and got six months off.

When'd he come out?

The 20th, five days ago.

Hmm. Nothing in these?

Been behavin' himself.

Five days.

Just so he stays that way.

All right. Thank you, Sam.

Fellow wants to learn, it's all right with me.

Looks like he ought to do his learning in the schoolhouse.

Did you see him come out?

My boy did. That's good enough for me.

Ain't the way I learned my letters.

I never had no private teachers.

Hmm. This towel is awful hot.

Hey, Cal, you want to get in the fun?

Schoolboy's a-comin'.

Just lay easy, mister.

Let the heat soak in.

Whoa, boy!

[ cackling ]

Broke to harness real good, ain't he?

Yeah, big'un like him ought to be pulling a beer wagon.

[ laughing ]

Boy, you ever learn how to spell "cat" yet?

If you don't mind, I'm a little late.

Mrs. Kobey promised this by 5:00.

Hold on, boy. Don't go away.

You ain't told us the rest.

Come on, boy.

About that special attention you've been getting

over there in the house all alone.

[ snickering ]

What y'all been doing?

I-- just learning my lessons.

Come on, boy, you can tell us.

There ain't nothing to tell.

You mean there ain't nothing you wantto tell!

Leastwise, the schoolteacher'd been more careful than that.

Look like she'd at least have waited until dark.

Y-you oughtn't have talk like that, mister.

Maybe she was askeert he'd get away.

Ain't every day a nice, fine, young fella

like you wants to learn.

Put me down! Fella, put me down!

Put me down, fella! Hey!

Him, he done it. He hurt Cal real bad.

[ groans ]

Go get the doctor.

All right, break it up.

Let's move!

Let's go.

You heard about it, huh?

I heard about it.

I just rode in.

Got him on bail?

I might, if some responsible party...

I'm responsible.

If you got $21.

$21?

Bail is 40. He's got 19.

Three fives, $15.

Unless you'd like to lend me six.

Beesom's got a big mouth.

It's time somebody closed it.

You can thank him.

Now, you got your rights.

You don't need to tell me why,

but with that circuit judge,

you'd best have a real good answer for him.

I'd buy you a beer if I had the time.

Or the money. Ha.

I got a lady waiting at the dance, you know.

No, you just run along. Don't worry about me.

Rafe, there'll always be people ready to talk.

Meanin' what?

Well.

Maybe you oughta do your learning at school,

stay away from Miss Martha's place.

I'll take your word on that.

A beer...

if I can pay for it next week.

Okay.

[ tap on door ]

You just won't leave me alone.

I don't know why I should.

Everybody else in town knows his way here.

I can't say that I'm surprised, though.

The first time I ever met you was in a saloon.

People don't never change.

You was standing at a bar,

and there was a bunch of cowhands around you.

Well, I had to live! I had--

Come one, come all.

It's only the price of a drink.

You married me.

That was only because I couldn't stand it anymore.

It got to be like a bunch of coyotes

hanging around a stray calf.

You're the one that married me, honey.

Maybe that's because I couldn't stand it either.

[ knock on door ]

Well!

Aren't you going to ask me in?

Of course.

You haven't brought me another hen?

No, just some bad news, I'm afraid.

Trampas won't be coming in from Shiloh tonight.

He's not hurt?

No, just his feelings, ma'am.

He had to fix some fence, was an emergency.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Well, so am I, knowing the inconvenience to you.

But, uh, you don't have to miss going to the dance,

if I could offer my services.

That's very kind of you, I'm sure,

but I do think I'd be much better off at home.

Not that I wouldn't be deeply honored,

but I've had, uh, a raging headache all day.

Well, I couldn't bring myself to disappoint Trampas,

but since I won't be hurting him...

I do hope you'll understand.

Of course, ma'am.

Take some powders. Get some sleep.

I intend to, believe me.

Maybe some other time.

Do ask me, please.

You adding one more to your string?

I didn't go with him.

Why not?

'Cause you had a chance to go with somebody new,

somebody fresh, like that big boy

that was here this afternoon?

You vulgar, stupid--

Now, if I wasn't so close to it,

I don't think you'd be so mad.

Where are you going?

I got some questions to ask.

Gonna ask your schoolboy, honey.

Bert.

Whiskey, dear.

I hear you don't like to be alone, boy.

I'm gonna give you a little advice.

Ain't gonna cost you nothing.

Not even gonna cost you a dime.

Gonna be free.

You stay away from that schoolmarm's place, hear?

'Less, of course, you think she's sweet enough to die for.

'Less you think that she's so soft and so sweet...

Now, you better forget about her, boy,

and you better forget about what happened this afternoon,

and you better--

I promised to keep the peace, mister.

You're making it awful hard for me.

That's enough.

I'll take that.

Could cut you up pretty good.

You're lucky.

You too.

Hey, I never got that whiskey.

That makes two of us.

Could be we ought to learn him a lesson.

Hmm?

More coffee?

Thank you, ma'am.

Well, folks told me that if I married him,

it'd be the end of me.

To tell the truth, it was the beginning,

a whole new, wonderful beginning.

Well!

Here I am keeping you, and it's getting late.

Oh, no, ma'am. It's very interesting.

It's like being read to from a storybook.

Is it?

Besides, I lost some time today.

Oh, wasn't all that much.

Was enough.

Well, you don't have to make it up right this minute.

You know, Mr. Kobey always used to say

it's worth the whole week just for Saturday night,

especially there's a dance going on.

Rafe, there's something troubling you,

and you want to talk about it.

No, ma'am.

Well.

Uh, when you finish, stop by the kitchen.

There's an apple pie cooling.

Thank you, ma'am.

Mister-- Mr. Simmons?

Kenny? Come on in.

Is something wrong?

Well, then there must be some reason,

you being out this late.

She said to come over.

Who? Who said come over?

Miss Martha. She wants you to come over to her place.

It's some kind of trouble.

Is it bad?

Said I mustn't tell nobody 'cept you.

I best get home now. My pa finds I'm out...

Sure.

Rafe?

Oh, yes, ma'am?

Change your mind about going to the dance?

No, I just thought I'd take a walk.

[ snoring ]

Did you tell him?

Did you tell him?

[ crying ] I told him, Pa.

Good boy.

You get on to bed.

Say, barber...

You got a gun?

A gun?

Yeah, a gun. You know, bang bang!

No! We don't need no gun.

I think you got a gun, barber.

You know what, if I was you,

I'd go get it right now.

[ piano playing ]

All right.

All right what?

All right whatever it was

you dragged me away from the dance for.

Oh, you used to like my company.

I still do.

I like it even better when you talk.

Yeah. Well, it's no good

when a man keeps steaming inside, is it?

You mean Rafe?

Yeah, especially him.

They're not used to it.

It's like a fellow who never takes a drink

taking four jiggers of whiskey straight down.

Think there'll be trouble?

Well, they're scared of him.

Might get so he likes it.

What do you want me to do?

I want you to ask me to give you back your bail money.

Let me lock him up.

I can't do that. He trusts me.

I wouldn't want to hurt him.

It might be hurting him more, leaving him loose.

He steps out of line, I can't hand out any favors.

He won't step out of line.

He gave me his word.

[ rope snaps ]

Biggest darn bull I ever seen.

Looks like he's got a tough hide too.

He's strong.

Come on, boy.

Come on, boy.

Come on over into the barn.

In the barn.That's right.

Come on, boy. Come on over.

Come.Go on, boy.

Go.Right through the door.

I said get through the door, now.

Just get back against the post, boy.

Get back against the post.

I said get back in there, now!

Against the post.

Now...

you don't happen to be carrying

a gun or a knife on you, do you?

He might.

He's pretty good at carving whistles.

Give me the gun.

[ cocks pistol ]

No!

You don't need this, boy.

You can't even read, can you?

Now, barber, you go on and leave us alone here.

Go on.What do you mean?

I said go on and get out of here.

Me and him got things to talk about.

That ain't fair. You told--

Just shut up and get outta here!

Give me the whip.

Don't stand there. Get on out!

Oh, uh, not you, boy.

Just you and me now.

Just you and me.

You'd better listen to me this time.

Didn't listen last time, did you?

Couldn't leave her alone, could you?

Just took one little word from her

to bring you on back, didn't it?

You're wrong!

I'm wrong?

You don't think that I know how pretty she is?

You don't think that I know that she's soft to touch

and lovely and she has hair that smells like sweet grass?

Would you listen to me?

Oh, you can't get her outta your mind,

can you, boy, huh?

Can't get her outta your mind!

Well, now, boy,

yeah, now you keep seeing her

every time this whip cracks through your hide.

You're wrong!Now, look, boy.

She thinks she wants you?

Well, she ain't gonna want you

when I get through with you, boy.

[ neighing ]

Uh!

Oof!

[ neighing ]

[ fires ]

[ fires ]

Sheriff! Sheriff! Get the sheriff, hurry!

What happened?

Tell me!

The...

They come at me in the dark,

him and the other.

I was on my way to see you.

On your way to me, at this hour?

Why?

[ crying ]

You--you sent for me.

The boy. What boy?

Kenny. Kenny Beesom. He said you needed me.

I didn't. I never even spoke to him.

[ crowd yelling ]

Over here!

He's dead.

Did you know him?

Man's been killed.

He asked for the schoolhouse when he came into town.

Was he a friend of yours?

They'll ask you in court.

He was my husband.

Who did it, Rafe?

He didn't do it. I know he didn't.

He said that, uh,

some men were waiting here for him when he got here,

and he said that Kenny Beesom

had brought him a message from me.

Don't swallow none of that, Ryker.

She's making it up out of wind and water.

Boy was home with me all night.

More'n likely that big galoot

come out here to see if he couldn't kill off

some of his competition.

I don't believe you. You're lying.

Ask the boy. Why don't you ask the boy?

I will.

But first I'm gonna find Rafe.

We gotta get him out of here.

I'll need three men.

Did you send for him?

No.

"He won't make any trouble," huh?

"He gave me his word."

Like to help you look for him.

All right, if you want.

Kenny!

[ sighs ] What'd you say?

Why you still up?

I heard the ruckus, the shooting.

Come here.

Come here, boy.

Pa.

If he got killed--

No, it wasn't him.

Come here, boy.

Get on my lap.

Come on. Come on. Get up on my lap.

[ chuckles ]

Now, you just ease off.

If I make a promise, I keep it.

Just so's you don't forget what you promised me.

Case anybody asks you was you out tonight,

can you remember that?

[ chuckles ]

No matter who.

'Cause they's folks

that could make trouble for your pa.

Don't forget.

Let's get to bed.

Now we can both sleep easy, huh?

Oh!

Sit down! I want to talk to you.

Could we come in, please?

Any back door?

No.

We thought he might be here.

Good night, ma'am.

You have to do things sometimes.

You don't always like 'em.

I'm sorry.

All right, I was wrong.

I say anything?

Pretty loud for a man that wasn't talking.

And I can say it right out.

Well, who's stopping you?

You're wrong about the rest, too.

Rafe didn't kill anybody.

There wouldn't be no question if I kept him locked up.

I want you to tell them how it happened.

I want you to tell the truth.

There won't be any harm to you.

I won't bring any charges.

I-I understand how it'd be with you

with a busted rib and all,

but Kenny...

an-any harm I brought you, it wasn't intended.

You know that, don't you?

When I gave you that whistle, I thought we were friends.

Don't listen to him, Kenny.

He may get away with one murder.

I don't think he'll get away with two.

Well, we gotta be sure he did it first.

We gotta go talk to the boy.

Where do you think I'm going?

Mister...

Just--just one word from you is all--

and I'd be all right!

Miss Martha, too!

You've got no reason to hate her.

Haven't you got any feelings at all?

What about him?

Y-you're twisting the truth!

Maybe you're gonna twist my neck.

That's between you and me, but...

What are you doing to your boy?

You're making him a liar, a cheat.

Worse than that!

[ sighs ]

You're gonna tell the truth! Stop! Let go!

You're gonna tell the truth!

KENNY: Stop it, stop it, stop it!

Stop it! Stop!

Mister, you're gonna kill him!

[ gasping ]

Someone! Somebody!

[ groaning ]

Rafe, listen!

You can't make it. Don't try it!

Don't corner him. He could be dangerous.

Maybe if I went in--You're asking to get yourself killed.

I told you, he trusts me.

All right, five minutes.Thanks.

Rafe, it's me. I'm coming in.

[ coughs ]

Close the door.

It ain't gonna change nothing.

It ain't gonna help. You ain't gonna get him to tell the truth.

I've been saying the truth.

You ain't saying it now!

They'll be the judge of that.

They've got your story and they've got mine.

We don't have your story, do we, son?

Your pa says you were here all night.

He was.

If you were here, then you must've heard the shot,

the noise and all the fuss.

Probably woke you up, so you got dressed.

But your pa wouldn't let you go out.

Maybe even slapped you when you asked, huh?

No, sir. He wasn't even here.

What are you trying to--

Let him talk.

Well, where was your pa, son?

Where'd he go? What time?

I don't know. Quit asking me! I don't know!

Kenny, a man was killed tonight.

Right out in front of the teacher's house.

Your pa claims Rafe here did it,

claims Rafe was jealous of Miss Martha

and went over there and waited for this man and killed him.

But we know different, don't we?

We know that the only reason Rafe went over there

was because somebody brought him a message.

Pa.

You know what to say.

Kenny, most times

you have to do what your pa says.

Most times that's right.

But sometimes it can be wrong,

especially when...

someone else may hang.

He could hang?

It's likely.

If you don't tell the truth.

Besides, what you're doing

is just like putting your pa's hand on the rope.

Mister.

I'll say the truth.

[ crying ]

Well, that's the last of it.

I best get these to the station.

The train's due in about 10 minutes.

Miss Martha...

I...

I sure wish you'd stay.

I can't.

But you've...

both been very kind.

Now, I don't want you to be lollygagging, you hear?

For the last time, you don't have to go.

People here wouldn't understand.

They'd try, but they wouldn't be able to.

What about Rafe?

He's begun to learn. He won't stop now.

He comes of good stock.

This is his mother's journal.

He's bound and determined to read it.

She must've loved his father very much.

"If all my world

"were condensed to a single moment,

"to one brief experience,

"to one man,

I would only ask that it be Gordon."

Isn't that beautiful?

His father's name was Rafe.

[ thumps ]

It's a five-minute walk to the station.

[ theme song playing ]