Original subtitles

[ theme music playing ]

♪♪

I don't know. I guess he got away.

He'll never get away.

If that killing in Rock Falls was an accident like you told me--

and I believe that--

a trial, fair judge--

he'd be acquitted.

But running away, breaking out of jail--

that makes it look like murder.

The price on his head will go up a few dollars,

and there'll be another man like Ketch out to collect it.

Still can't understand why he ran away like that...

why he didn't trust me. Could've helped him tell his story.

A couple of months, he could've learned how to read and write.

Learning how to trust-- that's a lot harder.

♪♪

STACY: To learn how to trust.

That's kind of a strange way to put it.

But I knew what Granddad said was true...

at least about Jake.

We'd been teaching him how to trust us from the beginning.

No telling who he'd run into in his life,

or how they treated him.

I knew one thing for sure-- it hadn't been easy for him.

He was a big man, strong.

But that's about all anybody could know about him,

even if they cared enough to ask.

Jake's deaf and dumb.

I don't know what happened in Rock Falls that day.

I wish I did.

But I do know that somehow it had to do

with Jake being all locked up inside himself,

not being able to hear, talk...

not being able to trust.

Leave the bottle.

I said leave it! Hey, you!

I'm talkin' to you.

Heh. You don't like me?

Heh. Ha ha!

Hey, listen to this.

"I am deaf and dumb. My name is Jake Walker.

I am a good worker."

Is that right? You a good worker?

What kind of work do you do?

Wait a minute, Jake. I asked you a question.

Aren't you gonna answer me?

Why don't you give him his paper, mister?

He's not bothering you.

Sure, sure.

Whatever you say.

Why, you dumb ox!

♪♪

He's dead.

Call the sheriff.

You'd better wait here.

Jake! Stop him!

Stop him! Stop him!

[ horse neighs ]

[ horses approaching ]

[ mooing ]

Come on! Get out of there!

[ moos ]

Hey, friend! Can you give me a hand?

[ mooing continues ]

[ mooing ]

Hyah! Get on home!

Thanks a lot!

Hey, friend, I said thanks a lot!

You're welcome.

♪♪

[ knocks ]

Yes?

You want to chop wood for me?

Can't you talk?

Oh, I'm sorry.

All right. I'll fix you some breakfast.

♪♪

More coffee?

No, thanks, honey.

I'll have some.

You certainly have an appetite.

He ought to, after all that wood chopping.

What wood?

Wasn't that you?

Mm-mm.

Well, somebody was swinging that ax.

It's a man. He was hungry.

And you fed him.Of course I fed him.

Besides, he chopped more than his share.

Where is he?

In back.

I don't think he's eaten for days.

I think I'll have a look.

He's deaf and dumb.

♪♪

You remember me?

That's a lot of wood chopping just for a meal.

Can you understand me?

You read what I say?

That's pretty good.

I tried to thank you yesterday down at the creek.

You, uh... you couldn't hear me.

This is my sister Elizabeth.

My sister Elizabeth.

My name's Stace.

This is the fella who helped me at the creek yesterday.

Did you have enough?

Hey.

Where are you headed?

Are you looking for work?

We might be able to use another hand.

Especially someone who can chop as much wood as you can.

Come on, I'll take you over to meet the foreman.

Thanks for the wood.

You're welcome.

Whoo-hooey!

Wasn't worm-eaten, either.

How about that?

A regular strongman.

Hey, Packer, did I ever tell you

I saw a man bend a horseshoe once-- just like that?

Then he took a piece of chain--

Yeah. You told me.

Come on, we got work to do.

He's a good worker. Just for breakfast,

he chopped enough wood to last about a month,

and then there was that heifer yesterday.

Sounds like you already got him hired.

Well, I kind of owe him a favor.

But you're the foreman. You do the hiring.

You ever worked on a ranch before?

You know cattle?

You mean you know what they look like?

[ laughs ]

Well, we don't have too much call

for a man to break fence posts in half,

but I reckon we can find something for you to do.

All right, you're signed on.

Signed.

What's your name?

Write your name.

Your name. Go on.

♪♪

Come on there!

Come on there!

Come on there.

Come on there. Whoa.

Thanks.

Uh...thanks!

Was there any mail?

A whole stack. Got it right here.

Thank you.You betcha.

Thank you.

The last installment of a story.

I've been waiting a whole month for it.

Couldn't even wait to get up to the house.

I have all the other issues.

Maybe you'd like to see them.

♪♪

You know, Packer, I've been thinkin'.

A couple more months and we're gonna be rich.

Diggin' post holes?

No, sellin' cows.Shut up.

Oh, he can't hear nothin'.

When do we move that new batch out?

Another week maybe.

Good. Give us a chance to pick up a few more.

You know, Packer,

you sure are some lousy poker player.

You complaining?No, I'm not complaining.

You needin' money that time set us up with a nice little operation.

We're doin' good now, real good.

Yeah, and we'll keep on...

as long as you keep that big mouth of yours shut.

Now, who am I gonna talk to? Him? Heh heh!

Look at him.

Workin' like he owns the place.

Yeah. And I ain't about to tell him to slow down.

I hardly raised a sweat in two days.

♪♪

Dig away, boy. Dig away.

You sure are a good worker, Silent.

Real good.

Do you want a card?

Uh...yeah.

Give me a medium one.

Not too big, but not too small.

Can't you just say yes or no?

[ laughs ] That's just right.

Wait a minute.

Would you take another card?

Would you take another card?

All right, Packer.

Turn 'em over, let's see what you got under there.

Ha ha ha!

I got him!

Do you know what he needs?

Hey, you're a smart fella, Silent.

You got it right up there.

Heh heh!

Busted!

Ha ha ha!

Ah! You want to play, Silent?

Watch this, watch this.

You know my name?

Am I Packer?

How come you know my name?

He reads lips. [ chuckles ]

Deal 'em.

[ cowbell ringing ]

[ all laughing ]

Oh, boy!

Hey.

Take it easy. Take it easy, now.

I know, I know. They kid,

but you're not the only one.

Curley here tied Belden's feet to his bunk one morning,

and we he got up for chow,

he almost busted both his legs.

You remember that, Belden?

You were madder than a bull on a fence.

Oh, yeah, that was real funny.

You all right?

Come on, Silent. No hard feelings.

Pals?

Hyah!Hyah!

[ whistling ]

Well, looks like everybody's goin' into town.

Feel like takin' a ride in with me?

Medicine Bow's not a bad place.

You mean for me, not for you.

Well, I guess you got your reasons.

I'll see you later.

♪♪

STACY: It wasn't much, but it was a beginning.

Jacob wanted to read and write.

It could open a whole new world for him.

The problem was to figure out some way to help him.

Good morning.

I didn't know you were feeding the mare.

I couldn't understand why she wasn't eating.

It's all right. Feed her if you want to.

You like horses.

So do I.

I guess they're about the most beautiful animals in the whole world.

There's just something about a horse.

Do you know what I mean?

When I was a little girl,

I was in love with my grandpa's horse.

Really. His name was Dove--

a big golden palomino.

I used to talk to him for hours,

tell him all my secrets.

I kept hoping someday he'd answer me.

I was sure if he really wanted to, he could talk.

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean--

Then one day-- I guess he got tired of my pestering--

he bit me, good and hard.

From then on, I loved him at a distance.

Do you like it here at Shiloh?

Oh, I'm glad.

Have a good time in town last night?

I heard you come in.

You sounded as if you were trying to ride your horse up the stairs.

I tripped in the dark. I'm sorry if I woke you.

I wasn't asleep. I was thinking.

Is something wrong?

Sometimes the good things can keep you awake.

Oh, I see. You were sitting up all night

having good thoughts.

Let's see-- let me guess.

It would have to either be, uh...

land or cattle.

Both. I was thinking about Shiloh.

It's a good spread.

You do like it, don't you, Stace?

Well, it's a long way from Texas,

but, uh... I like it just fine.

Except that is not what was keeping you up.

The foreman tells me we're missing some cattle.

Rustling?

I don't know.

But I think we'd better start looking for strays.

Keep a running count.

How's the foal?

He's gonna be a beauty.

Guess who's been my mare?

Who?

The man who can't talk.

Silent--that's what the men call him.

Who told him to feed the mare?

No one. He just did it because he enjoyed doing it.

Well, that's a better reason than most.

What'd you say to him?

I told him he could.

He must be a very lonely man.

It must be terrible to live all alone inside himself like that.

He gets along all right.

You call that all right--

not being able to talk or hear?

Not being able to tell anyone what you want

or how you feel?

Just silence-- all the time.

I guess he's used to it.

It'd take a lifetime to get used to something like that.

He must have something special inside of him

to get along the way he does.

I wish we could help him.

Do you remember the time

she tried to teach a horse how to talk?

You can't teach him how to talk,

and you can't teach him how to hear, but...

What?Excuse me.

Well...

last time I saw him move that fast,

he'd just set his pants on fire.

♪♪

Stacy, you just get out of my room.

What do you think you're doing?

Those are my personal--

Fine, fine. Where's your old schoolbooks?

I know you kept them in here somewhere.

Schoolbooks? Mm-hmm, schoolbooks.

That's what you learned how to read and write with, isn't it? Hmm?

Thank you.

♪♪

It's all right.

I was the one that left the book

and the other stuff there for you.

Yeah.

I figured you could look it over,

and then, if you want to,

then maybe I can help you with it.

Is it a deal?

All right, we'll shake on it.

I was talking to the foreman today,

and he said that you're working out just fine.

As a matter of fact, he's gonna--

he's gonna try you as a regular hand.

Yeah.

♪♪

[ whistles ]

[ mooing ]

STACY: A regular hand.

That must've really meant something to Jake.

A man doin' a man's work...

something he could take a little pride in.

I was glad the Virginian gave him a chance.

You're doin' good, Silent.

Looks like you're gonna be a cow puncher from now on.

We'll take 'em on in. You check up over the ridge,

see if you can find any strays.

♪♪

Come on.

Hyah! Hah!

Smile and he'll eat right out of your hands.

We're big pals.

Hey, Silent. What are you doin' here?

You roundin' up strays?

How about that?

I heard they was gonna make you a cowhand.

You're really movin' up in the world.

They got us cuttin' out the sick ones.

Yeah, didn't you hear about it?

Some sort of cattle disease.

They're afraid it'll spread to the whole herd.

So they got us pennin' up the sick ones.

What do they call it? Uh...quarantine.

They sure give us the dirty jobs.

Isn't that right, Packer?

Yeah.

Now, look at him and smile, real friendly.

You think he believes you?

Sure. Why not?

He doesn't know anything about cattle anyway.

We gotta get back to work.

Come on, Packer.

[ moos ]

See you, Silent.

You better be right.

We got a good thing goin'.

Why take a chance on a killing?

Rustling's one thing, but killing's something else.

Anyway, what are you worried about?

He isn't gonna tell anyone.

♪♪

Hey! Hey, Silent!

Give me a hand.

You get on the wagon.

Hand it down to me.

[ grunts ]

[ laughing ]

CURLEY: It's about time you had a bath, Packer.

You're beginning to smell mighty bad.

Should get him out before he poisons the water.

[ laughter ]

You think it's so funny? I ought to throw you in there.

Aw, come on, Packer. He--

Stay out of this!

Back off, Packer!

Stay out of this!

[ grunting ]

Hold it, hold it! Break it up!

There!

All right, who started this?

Well, I started out as an innocent bystander.

He pushed me into the water trough,

and Belden bought himself a piece of it.

Aw, come on, Packer. You fell in all by yourself,

hat over tea kettle. You should've seen it.

He threw a flour sack at me.

All right, let's just forget about it.

You cooled off now, Packer?

Yeah. I guess so.

Oh, Packer, you're mighty lucky.

Silent could've broken you in half.

How about gettin' these supplies unloaded?

Come on.

You, too, Curley. And you, Belden.

Lend a hand.

Well, I guess that's how it always starts.

What's that?

Trouble for Silent. Something happens,

and he can't tell his side of it.

[ sighs ] No wonder he's afraid to go into town.

I understand you're teachin' him to read and write.

I just gave him an old schoolbook.

I'd say you got your work cut out for you.

♪♪

42 days from Abilene,

and ridin' tailgate all the way.

And dust--I must've swallowed half the state of Texas.

By the time we got to Kansas,

I plumb forgot what the front end of a cow looked like.

Don't you ever run down?

Why should I? Talking's one of the joys of life.

Well, listening to you isn't another.

Heh! Hey, Belden, hear there's a big game tonight.

Yeah, I've been waitin' all week,

and my fingers is startin' to itch.

You gonna play?No.

Poker's not my game.

See you, Silent.

Real nice fella, that Silent.

Probably the only man I ever knew that never told a lie.

[ laughter ]

♪♪

STACY: It was hard to get Jake out of my mind--

the way he looked after that fight with Packer.

I guess if he bumped into someone on the street,

it'd be just enough to start a fight.

Couldn't even write out an explanation.

Just standin' there helplessly

and a storm inside him.

I began to realize that just giving him a book wasn't enough.

The Virginian was right--

I had my work cut out for me.

I thought I heard somebody prowling around down here.

Anything wrong?

No, I'm just passin' some time.

I'm surprised you didn't go to town with the boys.

Well, there's nothin' much in town

except poker games and pretty girls.

That never stopped you before.

You know, I never realized before

how quiet it can get with no one around.

You can almost hear the silence.

It's a nice night.

Yes. Yes, it is.

There may be some coffee left over from supper.

Would you like a cup?

No. No, thanks.

You're sure there's nothing wrong?

I'm sure.

♪♪

[ door opens, footsteps ]

I thought may--

I thought maybe I could help you along some.

Hey. Now, we had a deal, remember?

Well, let's get to it.

♪♪

"A" is for "apple".

"A"...

"P"...

"P"...

"L"...

"E".

You get it?

STACY: Okay, now. Here.

Name...is...

Stace.

Stace.

Right.

My...name...

is...

Stace.

Hey, how about that?

"My name is Jake."

"My name is Stace."

Your name is Jake.

All right, your name is J--

Jake. What's the matter?

You don't want me to tell?

Why? Everybody's got a name.

Are you in some kind of trouble?

All right. It's our secret.

Is it a deal?

♪♪

Looks like we just missed 'em.

How many head are we short?

Close to 100, all told.

Probably been taking 'em a few at a time

and then holdin' them here.

Couldn't have been too easy to find a buyer.

Why don't we check a few of the other spreads, see if they've been hit?

I'll do that. You'd better let your grandfather know.

Right.

♪♪

♪♪

"Sang for it."

Sang for the apple pie.

That's real good, Silent. Real good.

How about that?

He's teachin' himself to read and write.

He's what?

Yeah. Smart fella.

Who'd ever thought he could do a thing like that?

Don't worry yourself.

He's not gonna tell anybody.

He's not?

I told you I saw tracks up in the canyon.

Somebody's been there.

Suppose the foreman starts askin' around.

Somebody puts a pencil in his hand, he's gonna tell 'em all--

about you and me.

You and me and them sick cattle.

What are we gonna do?

Let's get out of here, just sign off the payroll.

And they say, "How come Curley and Packer left

after we lost all them cattle?"

Oh, no.

We gotta make sure he stays quiet.

Have to wait for a chance...

out on the range when nobody's around.

Make it look like an accident.

Well, I'm not waitin' for the chance.

I'm takin' it...now,

before something else goes wrong

or you try to talk me out of it.

He's gonna ride into town with us.

Oh, he'll never go.

You can talk the skin off a snake.

You make him go.

Now, don't look so worried, Curley.

I'm not gonna make you shoot him.

You know what I'm gonna do, Silent?

I'm gonna take you to town.

Hey, that's great!

It's about time you started socializing a little bit more.

I'll ride in with you, just as soon as I get cleaned up.

I hear they got all sorts of things goin' in town.

Tent show, everything.

Yeah.

Now what are we gonna do?

We'll do it...

one way or another.

So, Shiloh's the only ranch that's been hit.

They must know this range pretty well

to know about that box canyon.

From now on till we catch them,

the foreman's gonna have somebody up there all the time.

I'd hate to think it could be any of our boys.

Except it just might be.

I just want to know who rides in there. That's all.

Sheriff can do the rest.

And then just let 'em ride out, just like that?

Just like that.

Try to stop them, there'll be shooting.

A dead rustler can't tell us

who's been buying cattle with the Shiloh brand.

Yeah.

Well, I guess I'll go see about takin' a turn up there.

Stacy, you promised.

To take me into town. You're not even ready.

And neither are you.

Sorry, honey, but I can't go in.

I know. Paperwork. Come on, Stacy.

Yes, ma'am.

When you get to town, look up the sheriff.

Tell him what we're planning.

♪♪

[ overlapping chatter ]

Why, you--

Hello, Ketch.

I thought you were dead.

Oh, Ketch--he ain't never gonna die.

Buy you a drink, Sheriff?

No, thanks.

I knew you'd be happy to see me.

Hey, you're gettin' soft, Sheriff.

Town life's softening you up.

What brings you here?

Old Ketch--he's got an old, tired horse,

and she just wouldn't walk anymore. [ laughs ]

I got her over at the stable.

I gave her a good feed of oats,

she'll perk up in a day or two.

You still shootin' men in the back?

I'm still doin' the good work.

How come you insultin' old Ketch, Sheriff?

He's bein' real sociable.

I just want you to remember--

I take care of the law here.

I ain't after your job.

And I don't like bounty hunters.

In general.

And I don't like you.

In particular.

So, why don't you just drink up and move on?

Well, like I told you,

my horse--she just won't go anywhere.

Mm!

While I'm here...

"Wanted for murder."

He's a real vicious fella,

killed a man with his bare hands over at Rock Falls.

A big deaf and dumb fella,

name of Jake Walker.

A man like that shouldn't be too hard to find.

Stace.

Mark, who was that fella?

Bounty hunter.

Sure hate to see his kind around Medicine Bow.

Somethin' wrong, boy?

I think we'd better have a talk.

MAN: Hurry, hurry, hurry!

You've never seen anything like it in your life!

You'll never see it when you're dead!

Step right up and see the Angel--

the last chance today to see him!

You'll never regret it! Hurry, hurry...

Hey, Silent! Silent!

You want to see an angel?

No, he don't want to go.

You go on, Belden. We'll see you later.

Ah, of course he wants to go. Don't you, Silent?

Come on, come on.

Give me four of 'em.

Four!

Come on, come on.

All right, boys, come on! Move it out!

But this is only the beginning!

You say you're not satisfied!

I know you're not satisfied, and I got a little something better for you!

Comin' right up! Come on, Angel!

Angel, step right over there

and show these boys your wings!

How about that, boys? Look at that there! Huh?

[ cheering ]

All right, now, who's gonna be next?

Who's gonna be next? What about you, sir?

You look like you got a brave face.

All right! What about you?

You think you feel brave enough to meet the Angel?

All right! I'll tell you what I'm gonna do!

I'll pay $10 for the one who stays for one minute.

And I'll tell you what I'll do with you, sir.

I'll give you $20 if you stay for two minutes!

And I got another surprise!

If you stay for three minutes,

well, I have here a genuine $50 gold piece!

Look at that, boys. It's all yours!

United States of America money!

There it is, right there. And it's yours.

Just step right in and get it.

Who's gonna be next? Step right in there!

$50! Genuine United States gold!

Who's gonna be next? Come on, boys!

$50 in gold! Who's gonna be next?

$50 gold, Silent.

You can win it easy.

Oh, sure you can. Now, come on.

I've always wanted a rich friend.

Ha ha! Just leave that money right where it is!

[ cheering ]

Silent, Silent...

go in and get the money.

We're all rootin' for you.

We're all rootin' for you. Go.

A volunteer. I'm glad to see

Medicine Bow has its share of brave men.

Just step right up.

All right, Angel. Come on!

He's all yours! Take him!

[ cheering ]

Go get him, Silent!

Come on, Silent!

[ booing ]

Stacy!

Where are you going?

Back to the ranch.Why?

It's Silent--there's a bounty hunter after him.

Silent? But he's here. I saw him a few minutes ago.

[ cheering ]

Come on, Silent, baby!

Come on! How do you like that, huh?

Ha ha! Come on, Silent!

Ha ha ha!

What did I tell you?

Hang on to him, Silent! Now you got him!

Ha ha ha! Not even tired!

Hot dog! Come on there, babe!

Let him have it, Silent!

What's he doin' in there?

He's earning himself $50!

Come on, Silent!

Let him go!

Let him go!

Jake! Let him go!

[ applause ]

Hey, your money! Your money!

You earned it. [ laughs ]

Deaf and dumb?

This man's a wanted killer. I'm taking him in.

No, you're not.

Hold it, Stace.

I'll take him in.

He's my prisoner. Old Ketch--he found him.

I'd say my deputy found him. Deputy?

No, you ain't takin' him in, Sheriff.

He's my bounty.

You heard me, Ketch.

Now, Stace, I'm going to take him in.

I don't want trouble.

You gotta go with him.

Jake, I--

Trust me.

♪♪

His name's Jake?

Yeah.

Well, how'd you know that?

He told me.

STACY: He told me.

He trusted me, and now he was in jail.

And Ketch was still there waiting,

figuring out how to get him.

Who'd have thought it?

I'll tell you, I never would've guessed

in 100 years.

Wanted. A wanted killer.

And there we were--

frettin' like a couple of old ladies.

Nothing's changed.

It just got harder.

What are you talkin' about?

There's nothin' to worry about now.

He's as good as gone.

He's not dead yet.

Somebody asks him, he can still tell 'em.

Too bad that bounty hunter didn't shoot him

and save us the trouble.

You know...

I just had an idea.

Didn't I find him?I wasn't there.

Well, I'm telling you. I tracked him down...

and I found him.Sure.

I ought to have the bounty. He's my man.

But the sheriff's got him.

Mind if I help myself?

I was just gonna drink to your health, friend.

I ain't your friend.

Do I know you?

From the moment you was born.

♪♪

There he is.

I just want to see if he needs anything from the ranch.

Maybe I can cheer him up a little.

Sure is hard to believe.

Just a couple of minutes.

Glad to see me?

You sure are in a mess of trouble, Silent.

How about that Stace?

He's gonna collect the bounty, the money for you.

He turned you in.

I always thought he was your friend.

I heard they're gonna hang you.

Take you back to Rock Falls and string you up.

Do you think I'm gonna let 'em hang you?

You're my friend, Silent.

I don't walk away from my friends.

Now, listen--

tomorrow night, as soon as it gets dark,

I'm gonna sneak around the alley

and drop a gun in that window.

When the sheriff brings you your supper...

you'll be waitin'.

All right?

It's the only way.

♪♪

♪♪

He trusts me, and I'm not gonna let it go at that.

Stay out of it, Stace.

You did the right thing when you told the sheriff about him.

Did I? Well, he's in jail because of me.

From what you tell me about that bounty hunter,

he could be dead.

With the law, at least he's got a chance.

All right, you think I've done enough. Well, I haven't.

I haven't done anything.

He can't tell 'em anything unless--

Well, the way it is now, he doesn't have a chance.

There'll be a trial, witnesses.

Somebody must've seen what happened.

They'll tell.

That may not be enough.

Suppose he does tell them it was an accident.

You think they'd believe him?

I think I would.

That's because you know him.

What if it was a stranger or a jury of strangers?

You think they would?

If he's telling the truth.

Well, that's just the point.

Unless somebody asks him the right questions,

he's not gonna tell them anything.

♪♪

Jake, you're gonna have to tell me what happened

in Rock Falls.

Did you kill that man?

Why?

Did you know him?

Was it a fight?

It was an accident, and you didn't to kill him.

Then what did you run away for?

Because you were afraid...

and you couldn't say anything.

The sheriff has sent a telegram to Rock Falls.

They'll be comin' for you.

There'll be a trial.

You have to tell them what happened, that it was an accident.

You'll have to tell them how it happened.

I'm gonna ask you some questions.

And you answer yes or no,

and then I'll write it all down, the whole story.

All right?

Jake, I'm trying to help you.

I can't. I can't.

Not that way.

Jake, you're gonna have to stand trial.

Yes.

But if you tell me,

I'll write it down.

You trusted me when you told me your name.

When I found out that bounty hunter was after you,

I came to help you.

Now, what is it?

Not that way.

I'll go with you to Rock Falls

for the trial.

But you're gonna have to tell me.

Time's up.

Stace?

♪♪

Brought you supper.

Get back.

♪♪

Oh, I thought you'd never come.

Horse is in the alley.

Sheriff, I was hopin' you'd show up.

Were you?

Wanted to tell you I got no hard feelings.

What's gone is gone.

How long you been in here?

Couple hours. Why?

Somebody helped Jake break out, got a gun to him.

You think I--No.

I've been right here all the time. Ask anybody.

Hey, that means he's fair game again. Right?

That means you got no more call to hang around here, Ketch.

You move on.

Move on. That's what they always say.

Move on, keep going.

Well, guess so.

Just as soon as my horse-- Tomorrow.

Sheriff, you got no reason.

I have a fine good reason.

♪♪

[ whistling ]

[ whistles ]

Take it easy.

Everything's just fine now.

Get down, Silent.

I'm not takin' any more chances.

No more chances to take. It's done.

He's here, isn't he?

I got him out of jail, didn't I?

We don't have to kill him.

Let the bounty hunter do that.

Let him take the blame.

Now, Silent, you gotta stay right here.

Understand?

And tomorrow I'll bring you a horse,

some food, and you can get away.

All right?

Stay right here.

All right. Now we gotta go.

Everything's gonna be all right.

♪♪

I told you I didn't do it.

The sheriff isn't accusing you.

But he has the right to ask you some questions.

Now, only two people have any interest in Jake Walker--

you and Ketch.

You have different reasons, I know that.

But he spent most of the night in the saloon.

He couldn't have done it.

And that leaves me.

Then why don't you go ahead and arrest me?

I didn't give Jake that gun,

but it sure might not have been a bad idea.

Stacy.

I know you believe in Jake.

What you've been doing for him--the books--

I'm proud of you for that.

You've tried to give him something he never had before--

a chance to be alive.

But whoever broke him out of that jail

took that chance away,

and made sure he'd never have it back.

Good night, Mr. Grainger.

Good night, Sheriff.

♪♪

Mark?

Hey, Mark.

Oh, Stace.

I was out all night lookin' for your friend.

What brings you here?

Ketch--have you seen him? Ketch...

Came to say good-bye.

Smiled his way out of here about half an hour ago.

Half hour?

Yeah, said he was headin' north.

Something about a hunch in the hill country.

Don't you realize that Ketch is gonna go after Jake. If he finds him--

Stacy!

You remember that Jake is a wanted man. He's a fugitive.

I was able to keep Ketch from doin' business here in Medicine Bow,

but if he finds Jake out on the range someplace,

he's got every right--

To what? To bring him in or to kill him?

Stacy!

If you're bound to go out there, I can't stop you.

As soon as I get some coffee and a fresh horse,

I'll go out myself.Good.

Be careful!

♪♪

STACY: I didn't know who helped Jake get away.

But he must've run because he was afraid.

Afraid to face a bunch of strangers in a courtroom,

afraid that when the time came-- even with help--

he couldn't explain himself.

I had to find him before Ketch did, or...

I had to stop Ketch.

And then I had to find out who worked on Jake's fear...

and why.

I guess this is a standoff, friend.

Seems like you and me are gonna make a habit of this.

Now, old Ketch-- he don't want to shoot you.

And he sure don't want you to shoot him.

So...

you put up yours, and I'll put up mine.

Heh. All right, friend.

Old Ketch--

he's a trustin' soul.

Where's Jake?

Now, I just wish I knew.

He sure ain't here.

But you thought he would be.

I was hopin'.

Old Ketch--he's got much too much time and money

invested in that fella to give up now.

I wouldn't want you to give up.

Matter of fact, I'll just, uh...

I'll go along with you.

Old Ketch--he ain't much for company, but...

if that's your pleasure.

We might as well get goin'.

Why don't we?

♪♪

[ grunting ]

Now, look, kid...

I wasn't aiming to hurt you.

I was just tryin' to buy some time

to go about my business.

Who told you to come here?

I told you.

I said, who helped you set Jake up?

Couple of cowboys.

Go on.

Curley and Packer-- somethin' like that.

♪♪

Sorry, boys.

Poor Ketch is...

just too old.

I tried to figure out why you'd want to see Jake dead.

No reason, except he knew something.

Don't try it!

Sheriff wants to talk to you

about some cattle we've been missing.

"It's gonna be all right."

Come on.

Stacy! Stacy!

Somebody fed my mare!

[ theme music playing ]