Original subtitles

[ theme music playing ]

♪♪

A man could fall asleep waiting for you to make a move.

What's wrong with sleeping?

I thought you two were going fishing.

Oh, it's too hot to walk to the creek.

We'll need another glass, Connie.

Mornin'.

Howdy, Mark.

Ed, Trampas. Hot, huh?

Yeah. Connie's got some nice, cold lemonade here for you.

Oh, that looks good.

Nice to see you, Sheriff.

How's Mrs. Abbott these days?

Fine, thank you. Just fine.

What are you doing so far from town on a Sunday?

Thank you. Well, as a matter of fact, Mrs. Wells,

I came out here to see you.

Remember that buckskin shirt you made for Ed?

I am sorry, Sheriff.

I know I promised to let your wife have it as a pattern.

I just went clear out of my mind.

I'll get it for you now.

Thank you.

Isn't that horse of yours a little bit lame?

No.

I see a hobble there.

A man doesn't ride all this way just to borrow a shirt.

Not this man, anyway.

♪♪

Horse threw a shoe.

How do you like that? I never noticed it.

Yeah, he threw a shoe and walked a long way without it.

In the corral?

This the old shoe, Ed?

What's this all about? Is it?

I don't know. One shoe looks like another.

Sheriff, we're in luck.

I found the original pattern.

Uh, Mrs. Wells, could we borrow the shirt itself,

so Mrs. Abbott could see the fringe?

Well, it's just regular buckskin fringe.

I'd like to see the shirt, Mrs. Wells.

Mark, what are you gettin' at?

Cy Bates was robbed last night.

$8,000 in $20 gold pieces.

And whoever did it killed him to get it.

And you come out here to ask me questions?

Mark Abbott, I ought to throw you off my place.

Except so far you've given me nothing but wrong answers, Ed.

I found this shoe near the Bates' place,

and there was a piece of buckskin fringe

caught on a windowsill.

Fringe from a shirt just like yours.

Now, you show me that shirt with the full fringe,

you explain this shoe to me,

I'll be very happy to apologize to you.

I don't have the shirt, Sheriff.

I must've... thrown it away.

Well, we've got a little problem.

Where were you last night, Ed?

Right here at home.

Anybody see you, aside from Mrs. Wells?

Sure. Old Gabe Stiles stopped by in his wagon

to show Connie some new linen he's carrying now.

How long did he stay?

Most of the evening. We had a few drinks together

and caught up on the news.

There, that ought to solve everything.

Yeah, if we accept the coincidence

that two horses threw a shoe last night.

Where'd Gabe say he was going?

Bitter Creek, he said.

Well, I'll telegraph the sheriff there.

Ed, meanwhile, I think you'd better come into town with me.

To jail?

Ed, please don't make this more difficult for me than it is.

I'll need to get some of my things.

♪♪

Well, you sure busted up a nice Sunday.

Will you keep your observations to yourself?

Don't get mad at me.

I didn't bust up anything.

Maybe it's myself I'm mad at.

There's nothin' else I can do.

Where's the shirt, Connie?

I gave it to Willy.

That's what I thought.

You really think he had something to do with it--

the killing?

You know your brother better than I do.

What do you think?

I'll get your clothes.

♪♪

Where's that smell of good cookin'?

Or are we havin' cold meat for Sunday dinner?

What's the matter, sis?

I forget to wash behind my ears or somethin'?

Ed's been arrested.

The sheriff said he robbed and killed Cy Bates.

What'd he go and say a thing like that for?

He had some reasons.

Are you mixed up in that mess, Willy?

What makes you say that?

Willy, answer.

I don't know what you want me to say.

All right, you just turn around and ride out of here.

Get me that buckskin shirt of Ed's

I gave you to work in.

What for?

Just get it for me now.

Oh, Willy.

Sis, I never done none of the killing. Believe me.

But you were there, Willy. Why?

You wouldn't understand if I told you.

If I wouldn't understand, who would?

Willy, coming to this town was supposed to give you a fresh start,

a clean slate,

a place where nobody would remember the past

or hold it against you.

Ed gave up a good working ranch to bring us here.

And now he's sitting in jail.

But you've got to get him out.

How? Give myself up?

Connie, I could hang.

Or get at least five or ten years.

You want Ed to go to prison in your place?

Look, he didn't do it.

How'd the sheriff get onto him anyhow?

He can clear himself.

Yes, I guess he can get clear...

as soon as Gabe Stiles tells the sheriff

that he was with us last night.

But you still have to own up.

Only--

Oh, sis.

Willy...

Willy, why are you like this?

Look, sis, it's gonna be all right.

You wait and see.

Now, Gabe's gonna clear Ed,

and I'll go away.

I'll go away somewhere where--

where I won't bother you no more.

♪♪

Mornin', Abbott. George.

Trampas, don't you fellas at Shiloh,

do any work anymore?

Sometimes. I just came to town to pick up the mail.

All right if I see Ed?

Yeah, go ahead. Door's open.

Thanks.

You sure you don't want me to write it out for you?

Sheriff, Bitter Creek, Wyoming.

Regarding Gabriel Stiles, peddler.

Request information concerning his whereabouts last Saturday night.

Signed, et cetera, et cetera, and charge it the usual way, right?

And hurry.

Ed, you haven't heard a word I've said.

I heard you.

Then what about it? Did Connie give her brother that shirt?

The same shirt I saw Willy wearing

the Sunday before last?

Ed, this isn't little Willy stealing apples off a tree.

It's murder!

I don't know that he killed anybody.

And there's no reason for you to try to drag him into this.

Well, he sure dragged you into it.

You don't know that, not for sure.

Then where's that shirt, Ed?

Who else would Connie give it to?

If you won't talk to the sheriff, I will.

No, you won't.Why not?

Because you're my friend, and I'm asking you not to.

Besides, I'll say you're a liar.

Oh, look. I know you're trying to help me.

But you hurt Connie, I won't thank you for it.

I've never seen such a fool.

Everything under control?

It will be, as soon as we hear from Gabe Stiles.

Mark, you know as well as I do-- Gabe will clear him.

So why don't you let him loose?

'Cause I have a job to do.

You don't like it very much, do you?

Not always.

Not when good people get involved with the law.

But sometimes, when you think you've accomplished something...

Like putting somebody in jail.

If he deserves it, yes.

You got somethin' you want to say to me?

Yeah.

I wouldn't have your job for all the money in the world.

♪♪

Hi, Trampas.

The rest of the boys are out on the east range.

I'll ride out with you, if you like.

We may as well take the mail along.

That is, if there is any mail.

Mail?

The reason you went into town this morning?

Ah, I'm sorry.

It went right out of my head.

That's all right. Somebody can pick it up tomorrow.

I'll meet you at the corral.

Can I help?

I don't know.

Well, it's this business with Ed Wells.

Look...suppose it was me that was in jail

for a murder I didn't commit,

and you thought you had an idea

who the guilty man might be.

Only I asked you not to tell.

Why would you do that?

Ah. All right, I'll put it another way.

It's a suspicion only. You could be wrong.

And if you were,

you'd look pretty foolish, wouldn't you?

I've looked foolish before. So have you.

We both lived through it.

You mean you'd go to the law.

Well, let me ask you a question.

Suppose nobody was in jail,

but you had a suspicion you though the sheriff ought to know about.

What would you do then?

No contest, I suppose.

Except I'm not a lawman.

I don't know. I don't even know if it's any of my business.

I think you do.

I think it bothers you, or we wouldn't be having this conversation.

Listen, uh...

suppose I go back into town and pick up the mail?

All the way to town, twice in one day?

Well...

All right.

And give my regards to the sheriff if you see him.

Yo.

And this time...

see if you can't remember the mail, will you?

♪♪

Parker.

What's wrong?

It's your brother-in-law.

They wired ahead to get a hold of Gabe Stiles.

Yeah, I know. As soon as they hear from him,

Ed will be let go.

Well, they heard. It's from the sheriff at Bitter Creek.

Gabe's wagon came into town this morning,

with old Gabe slumped over dead in his seat.

Heart attack on the trail.

♪♪

Hey, Willy!

Hyah! Come on!

♪♪

Why now?

Why didn't you wait till they were putting a rope over your head

before you decided to tell the truth?

You couldn't have made a bigger mess.

And you're not better.

If you had a suspicion, why didn't you tell me?

I was on my way.

I wouldn't let him.

You wouldn't let him?

Who put you in charge?

He was doing it for me, Sheriff.

We thought if Willy gave himself up voluntarily,

maybe a jury would take it into consideration.

Mrs. Wells, the only thing a jury will take into consideration

is your husband's neck.

We told you the truth.

Not all of it.

And a little bit late, I'd say.

And you! How long have we been doing business?

That wire was addressed to me, not the whole county!

Well, I didn't know it was a big secret.

And they are related.

Well, you sure made a mess out of things.

You mean, if Willy gets away, I'm still locked up?

Do you see a paper in my hand

signed by a judge, telling me to let you go?

Won't he have to give you one?

Why?

Even I don't know for sure he's innocent.

Where's that shirt with the missing fringe?

All right, Ed.

Mark, now, wait a minute.

There must be something we can do.

There is. We can get him a good lawyer.

Ed, I'll be back.

I see you're countin' out the money, Willy.

You like to scare the daylights out of me.

Just came here after my share.

I thought you might do that,

so I came by to make sure you took only your share and not mine.

You had no call to say that.

After the way you took off?

You'd better settle down, Willy.

You're gonna get caught from plain nervousness.

They saying anything in town about me?

Ed say anything?

He didn't have to say much

after you rode Trampas down.

That was a fool thing to do.

Couldn't help it. Got scared.

You scare real easy, don't you, Willy?

Did you say anything to your sister about me--

I mean, even about us being friends?

No, she doesn't know a thing. Neither does Ed.

Well, that's one good part.

With Ed in jail and you runnin',

they'll just naturally think they're on to both men.

You mean, he's gonna have to sit in jail?

I mean, he'll probably hang.

I thought they'd let him go.

Oh, no.

Hey, look, maybe I'd better--

Maybe you'd better just get started runnin', Willy.

I can't leave and let him hang, Case. I can't.

Look, you shot Bates.

I didn't have anything to do with that.

So, maybe I'll get a few years.

You'll swing.

And if you try to drag me into it,

you'll swing for sure, because I'll see to it.

If saving your brother means that much to you,

it's your choice, kid.

I don't know why I ever let you talk me into this

in the first place.

Of course, it turned out real well for you, didn't it?

Yeah, it did.

Sure. They'll be chasin' me and hangin' Ed,

and you don't have a worry in the world.

That's right, Willy. Not a worry in the world.

Now, you better start to run, little buddy.

And you better make sure you don't get caught.

But Willy ran! That should stand for something!

It does, it does, but not enough.

I can see why the sheriff feels he has to hold Ed.

I don't.

There could've been two men in on that killing.

If we take Willy's running away as a sign of his guilt,

that could mean that both Willy and Ed are guilty.

But Ed says--

I don't care what Ed says!

We're talking about the law.

No, the fact that Willy ran doesn't clear Ed.

It merely implicates Willy.

We've got to get something better than that.

Like bringing Willy back?

That'd be good for a start.

The only thing is that Willy would have to confess.

Do you think he will?

We won't know that till he's caught.

He's got a fair start.

Could be some time before I catch up to him.

I'll file a request for a delay,

try to stall the trial as long as I can.

You remember something, Mark.

If that boy is involved in that killing,

he's just liable to try to fight his way out.

Don't get hurt.

I'll take care of myself.

That's just what I'm talking about.

You take too good care of yourself,

you're liable to bring back a dead man.

That won't do Ed one bit of good.

Without Willy Parker, he's gonna hang.

♪♪

THE VIRGINIAN: Come in.

Been quite a day, hasn't it?

Sure has.

When's the sheriff goin' after Willy?

Tomorrow morning.

Well, he'll be back before you know it.

Sure.

Look, it's not your fault, you know.

I had him, pard. I had him right there in my hands.

If I'd said something to the sheriff earlier, I--

Look, I, uh...

I need a week off.

We're going into a roundup in a few days.

I need every hand I can get.

I know that. But I can't even promise you

I'll be back in a week.

It might take two or three.

By that time, we'll be into our drive.

I'm shorthanded as it is.

The only thing I can promise you is I'll try and catch up with you.

And, uh...

well, it's important to me.

Well...

don't think you're gonna be much help around here anyhow.

May as well go where you can do some good.

♪♪

I won't forget this.

I'll see that you don't.

According to Jonas Wilks,

Willy was riding past his place on Medicine Bow Trail.

That could lead south...

into Utah, Colorado territory,

or west to California.

Ed, I need a good guess.

Well, I'd say California.

He's always had a hankering to see what's there.

Sheriff, more telegrams.

From those peace officers you sent messages to,

sayin' they'll keep an eye out for Willy if he shows up.

And this time, nobody's seen 'em but you.

All right. California.

I'll telegraph the sheriff at Bitter Creek again

to keep his eyes open.

Willy might stop over there for supplies.

Don't worry, Ed. We'll bring him back.

You do that. He's just scared now.

But when it comes right down to it, he'll do the right thing.

You goin' after him? I haven't heard any talk about a posse.

Don't need one.

Trampas and I can handle it.

Which way do you figure he went?

West.

Is that so?

Listen, if you need another man,

I could go along with you,

give you an extra hand for a while.

I told you--Trampas and I can handle it.

I know. I guess I feel kind of responsible.

I'd like to help if I could.

I know the feeling.

What about your office?

There's three of us workin' shifts.

They'll get along.

We'll leave at first light.

♪♪

♪♪

He's heading for the mountain.

You're sure?

That's the way it looks.

What about those marks?

They look older than the last ones.

Could be somebody came through

after Willy went by.

Nope. I got a feeling he's heading right for the mountain.

It's be too bad if we follow your feeling

and Willy went the other way.

The sheriff's right.

The mountain it is.

♪♪

Looks like Willy was walkin' his horse here.

At least he's not makin' any better time than we are.

We'll catch up with him soon enough.

If it's Willy's trail we're following,

and not somebody else's.

When you get an idea in your head,

you sure don't give up easy, do you?

He could've doubled back.

It would seem like a logical thing to do.

We don't know that till we see some signs.

♪♪

[ horse neighing ]

[ horse neighing ]

Mark? Can you move it?No.

What happened?

Something spooked the horses.

Does it hurt?

Yes, it hurts!

Well, I don't know. It could be broken.

That's all we need.

We'll have to get him back to the doctor.

That's miles back.I know.

Looks like we have no choice.

Both of us wouldn't have to take him back.

Trampas could take you. I could go on and get Willy.

That's a good idea, except you got the wrong name.

You take him back, and I'll go.

Of course, one man might have trouble

bringin' Willy in alive.

Think you can make it back by yourself?

I'm gonna deputize you both.

Swear to uphold the law?

CASE: Yeah.

All right. Get me something to tie this foot up with.

I'll tear up a blanket.

Gonna have to cut that boot off of you.

♪♪

Like it or not, you've got the job.

And bring him back in one piece.

Without him, Ed Wells doesn't stand a chance.

Right.

I sure hope the sheriff's gonna be all right.

That was bad luck.

Yeah.

♪♪

You know, if we don't catch up with Willy pretty soon,

he's gonna be all the way to California.

We'll catch him.

We can't keep chasing him forever.

Sooner or later, we gotta give up and quit.

Not yet.

We're not that far behind him.

And then again, maybe we're not behind him at all.

Maybe he's behind us.

What do you mean?

Case, you don't hear very good.

You ever stop to think he might've doubled back on us?

You go south, I'm goin' north.

Count to five and hit the dirt.

[ laughs ]

That's very good.

[ chuckles ]

Very good indeed.

I could've had you both.

Oh, come on, now, Trampas.

I didn't mean no harm.

Why don't you put that thing away?

What are you doin' here, Allerton?

Just lookin' for a friendly cup of coffee.

Anything else on your mind?

I saw the sheriff on the trail. He's all right.

I know the sheriff didn't send you here.

That's not a very welcome tone.

After my riding all the way out here from Medicine Bow

to catch up with you.

Why'd you do that?

Well, I just figured

you boys could use a little help, that's all.

A please to meet you...Case?

I still want to know what you're doin' here.

Well, there I was in my shack near Rock River--

You ever been to Rock River, Case?

No, I never have.

Maybe you'll favor us with a visit someday.

Anyhow, there I was.

And Mrs. Allerton tellin' me

I should be doin' something more fruitful in the line of work.

And you know, she's right.

Absolutely right.

And then I heard about the telegram you sent out-- about Willy Parker.

There was no mention of a reward in that telegram.

I know that, Trampas.

But I didn't pay that no mind.

You see, Case, I make my living

by helpin' the law out with the capturing of fugitives.

You might as well head back to Rock River,

'cause there's no bounty involved.

Oh, you're wrong, Trampas.

A nice group of friends put up $500.

They figured it would help Ed Wells.

And you suggested it to 'em?

Well...I did talk to 'em a little bit.

And that deputy didn't have brains enough to stop you.

Well, what's all the fuss and feathers about?

So we have an extra man to help. That's not so bad.

♪♪

♪♪

I'm sorry to cry, Ed.

I know how bad it makes you feel to see.

It's all right, honey. Cry it out.

Trampas and Case--

they'll come back with some good news for us.

Maybe they'll come back with Willy.

I still don't know how he could've done this to you.

All the times he's been in trouble,

and you making good all the damages,

even bringing us here to give him a fresh start.

Maybe we didn't help him at all.

Maybe we should've let him do it on his own.

To learn.

♪♪

I wonder how far he can go.

I didn't mean to startle you gents.

Just saw me a varmint and brought him down for practice.

You must like to shoot.

The fact is, he likes to kill.

Or maybe you didn't know.

Mr. Allerton is a bounty hunter...

who's never brought a man back alive.

There's always a first time.

For everything.

Hark, what'd you do that for?

'Cause I wanted.

How long you expect me to sit here?

Hunkered down like some Injun siftin' through that stuff.

No gold, huh?

No. How I'd like to get my hands on the man

that told us about this claim.

Well, how would that help?

'Cause it'd make me feel better!

I'd skin him alive, that's what!

Then I'd roast him over a nice, hot fire.

And when he was good and cooked,

maybe I'd kick him a little.

Heh. I'd like to see that.

Yeah.

Too bad you shot him.

Yeah.

We ain't never gonna get nothin' out of this place.

Figure we ought to move someplace else?

I figure.

I don't feel much like bustin' my back here for a dollar or two.

For that, we could get ourselves a farm

out of the way somewhere.

You want a farm?

Bodey!

I don't know why I put up with you.

Go on and pan a while.

Well, the bucket's empty.

Well, fill it!

Well, why don't you?

It's your turn anyhow.

Shh.Huh?

[ horses approaching ]

Howdy.

What do you want?

My horse went lame.

I wondered if you had one you might want to trade.

Trade a good horse for a lame one?

Not without sweetening the pot, we don't.

Uh, just the horse, mister.

No offense. Just lookin' over the leatherwork.

My name's Harkness. This here's my partner Bodey.

Hey, mighty nice lookin' gun you got there.

Mind if I heft it?

I'd like some bacon and flour, if you got any you could sell.

Maybe.where you from?

Other side of the mountain.

You got a name?

Smith.

[ both laughing ]

Hey, Bodey, how many times have you been Smithed?

Oh, eight, ten, maybe. How about you?

At least that many. Maybe more.

Well, Mr. Smith, we could be kin!

You...want to trade horses?

How much are you willin' to pay?

How about $5?

HARKNESS: Now, Bodey...

get our friend some bacon and flour in a sack

and fetch up that sorrel horse.

Why, that sorrel horse is worth more than $5!

$20.

Mr. Smith ain't agreed to it yet,

but I have a feeling he will.

I might go ten.

I also got a feeling that you're on the run.

And a man on the run ought to be willing to pay a little more,

seeing as how it's a risk for us to get involved and all.

No. Ten's all I got.

No, I think you got more than ten.

What I got ain't none of your concern.

You want to trade horses or not?

Wouldn't let it go for less than 20.

All right. $20.

You get on over there with your partner

while I unsaddle.

♪♪

Here you are.

Flour and bacon-- the best.

How many of these you steal, Mr. Smith?

Yeah, how many?

There ain't no need for you to run off.

We could hide you right here.

Of course, you'd have to share

a little bit of that money,

but we run a real fine hotel.

No, thanks.

♪♪

Thought I told you to go and dig.

That's the way he went.

Why would he leave that trail?

He can't make good time in the woods.

I don't know. I'll ask him when I see him.

He could be hidden in there just waitin' for us.

Put that away.

I told you, I want him back alive.

I ain't about to walk unarmed into his gun.

You take my orders, or you go back.

Don't think you could make me do that.

CASE: He could be right, Trampas.

Willy could be just sittin' in there, waitin' to bushwhack us.

You're a big help.

I want to bring him back as much as you do so he can talk,

but I don't want to get killed doing it.

Looks like you've been outvoted, Trampas.

After you.

♪♪

Hark? That ain't enough bacon for the both of us.

You can cook your own.

Aw, Hark, don't be that way.

Howdy.

Where'd you get that horse?

Who wants to know?

Just answer the questions, partner.

We bought it.

When?From a fella.

Is he around?

No. We traded him another animal,

and he rode off.

When was that?Oh, what is this?

He's wanted.

Are you sure you traded for that horse,

or did you maybe steal it?

Stea--

Bodey, did you hear that?

Us...steal?

No, he gave us money--$20.

Bodey, you talk too much.

We don't even know if these are real peace officers.

They might be gettin' ready to rob us.

Let's go, Trampas.

We're less than a day behind him now.

And no sense in wasting time.

Just a minute.

I want to see the money. What?

I said I wanted to see the money.

What for?

Just do what you're told and there won't be no trouble.

Bodey, I told you, you talk too much.

$20 gold piece.

That sure proves Willy was in on it.

It helps.

Uh...

I want to borrow this $20 gold piece as evidence.

I'll give you a notice-- something to make sure you get it back.

Just like that? You take my money,

and you just give me a piece of paper? No, sir!

Listen, mister, it's a law matter.

So far, you ain't proved to us that you're a lawman.

And how's this gonna help anyone?

All right. That's enough talk.

Get the money, Trampas, and let's go.

Allerton.

All right. Case, I think I got $12. You?

Seven, I think.

Uh, yeah.

Allerton?

Heh. You know somethin', Trampas?

You really are soft.

Here's $20.

Let me have the gold piece.

Sure, Sheriff. Anything you say.

You sure enough a posse?

Sure enough. Let's go.

Hey, Bodey, ain't you tired of panning for gold?

Oh, I sure am.

I got a feeling that the young fella

had a whole bunch of those gold pieces on him.

Or else, why this posse?

I got the very same feeling.

The very same feeling.

Well, let's go.No, no, no.

Let 'em get a head start.

You don't want to ride with a posse, do you?

♪♪

You want more?

Huh?

You want more food?

Nope.

There's a party in town Saturday.

That so?

Yes.

Could we go?What for?

Just to see. They say there'll be fiddlin' and dancin'.

Why don't we ever go into the village?

I can do without folks.

You've got to see somebody sometime--

at least I do.

I didn't promise no parties

when I asked you to be wife to me.

You knew I lived to myself.

Just once wouldn't hurt.

Emily--rest her soul--

never had no need to go gossiping.

Maybe you should've married another Emily.

I need me some meat,

some flour and coffee.

Get it.

You stay right where you are, Ruth.

Hey, look, mister-- I ain't joking.

I need that food, and I'm in a hurry.

Well, I don't let people steal property from me.

You sit down.

Sit down.

Hey, are you crazy or something? This is a gun.

Ruth, I could use me some more coffee.

♪♪

I'm waitin' on that coffee.

You are crazy.

Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't--

You'd better get that food.

It's them, all right, those two saddle bums.

I'd say no more than a mile behind us.

Why don't we just sit right here

and wait for 'em to catch up with us?

I could always say I thought it was a varmint in the woods.

You won't be happy, will you, till you kill somebody?

You figure they're after the money?

I figure they're after whatever they can get.

Come on, let's go. We're wasting time.

♪♪

I'm much obliged to you.

What happened?

Young fella stole some provisions from me.

Who are you?

Name's Trampas. We're after him.

My name's Blanchard.

You wait while I saddle up,

you got yourself another man.

Thanks just the same, but I got enough men already.

I'm goin' along.

Just to get back some provisions?

He's got my wife.

[ chuckles ]

With all the trouble he's causing,

I'd say Willy Parker is surely gonna get himself killed yet.

♪♪

You don't eat much, do you?

No.

Are you scared of me?

I don't know.

I guess so.

'Cause of what I did to your father?

He's my husband.

Hmm.

Well, you just lead me to that pass tomorrow,

and you can get right back to him, safe and sound.

Why couldn't you find a man more your own age?

My daddy made the marriage.

[ horse snorts ]

I don't mind so much his being an older man

if he was a different kind of a man.

But he's so closed up inside.

He keeps away from folks.

I need folks, I guess.

I need somebody to talk to.

RUTH: So many times, I...

wanted to just pick up and go.

But I can't go back to my daddy

because he'd make me stay with my husband.

I just wanted to run where there are some people.

Some kind of life that wasn't all work and silence.

You're kind of young to be on the run.

What did you do?

Robbery.

What'd you do a thing like that for?

I don't know.

Guess I got tired of waitin'.

For what?

For something to happen--

something exciting, something big.

Maybe so I could be somebody.

Stealing a man's money don't make you somebody.

You know, I used to have dreams

of how I'd live in California.

Dreams so real that I could just see myself in them.

But I was awake.

Completely awake and dreaming.

Guess I got tired of just dreaming.

So many times I've felt like that.

You know what they call this place?

Nowhere Mountain.

You can be born here,

you live your whole life and die,

and where have you been?

Nowhere.

Mister...would you do me a favor?

Would you take me with you

down below the timberline again?

And maybe I can get a job in some town.

I don't want to go back.

As long as you keep up,

doesn't make any difference to me one way or the other.

Thank you.

♪♪

When are we gonna move on, Trampas?

Dawn.

That's a long time to wait.

He could get pretty far by dawn.

He can't move in this mountain at night without killin' himself.

Dawn's plenty of time.

Mr. Blanchard, you'd better get some sleep. We'll be leaving early.

I'll be ready.

If he's harmed her in any way, I'll kill him.

Oh, that's a man after my own heart.

Why don't you go to sleep?

♪♪

What's goin' on?

Grab the other one.

On your feet.

Well, well, well. Look what we have here.

You two are lucky you're a live. You know that, don't you?

No offense, sir, honest.

We just got lost.

Lost? With a knife in your hand?

Where are your horses?

Uh, down there--

Shut up, Bodey.

Thought you had Willy, huh?

No, sir. Like I said, we just got lost.

Why don't we just put a few holes in 'em

and leave 'em right here?

Please, mister, don't fool like that.

I ain't foolin'.

Go get their horses.

You two, bed down over there

where I can keep an eye on you.

Here? Yes, sir.

Much obliged for the company.

♪♪

[ snoring ]

Case.Huh?

Shh.What's the matter?

Listen. We don't stand a chance

of gettin' Willy back alive, not with this bunch.

You're lettin' your imagination get the best of you.

I'm not so sure we'll get back alive ourselves.

If you feel that way,

maybe we should lead them away from Willy.

That way, nobody would be hurt.

That's not gonna do Ed any good.

No, I'm goin' on my own.

At night?It'll be tricky.

But he won't be traveling. And he can't be far.

You with me or not?

♪♪

Hold it right there.

Case, tie him up.

Get up.

Case!

You led us a merry chase, Willy.

What are you doin' here?

A man has to do his duty.

Are you lawmen?

Yes, you must be Mrs. Blanchard.

Your husband's worried about you.

Uh...tie him up tight, Case.

This way, ma'am.

Hey, how's my sister? And Ed?

Nothing's changed.

And I'm gonna see to it it doesn't.

As soon as they get out of sight,

you can slip away, but I gotta tie you up to make it look good.

This is probably the best way down.

You think you can make it?

Sheriff, I--

I want to stay with you. What for?

I don't want to go home.

You don't want to tell your husband you're not harmed?

No.

Ma'am, I don't know what trouble you're in,

but I can't help you. I've got my hands full.

Will you stop walking away and listen?

Ma'am--

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

There's gotta be some way we can get Ed off

and still not involve you.

Don't worry. We'll talk about it later.

Right now, grab some grub and get goin'.

So long, kid.

TRAMPAS: Squeeze that trigger, Case, and you're dead.

Throw your gun over here.

Stay right there, Willy.

You were gonna kill me!

You were gonna shoot me in the back!

You know why, Trampas?

You know why he wants me dead?

I got a good idea.

I don't think it's gonna do you much good, Trampas.

By the time that other crowd gets here,

you're gonna be a dead deputy.

Maybe.

Good thing you brought the rope.

Only next time, learn how to tie it.

♪♪

You said you know this mountain pretty well.

Well, I got some men comin' up after me,

and I want to avoid 'em.

How far behind you are they? I don't know.

I'd follow along that ridgeline.

In about a mile, there's a draw.

If you can make it, you'll be out of sight.

Thanks.

Look, if I don't-- If you hear some shooting,

tell your husband I need help.

I'm sorry, but I won't even be seeing him.

I told you, I'm not going home.

Now, you listen to me.

A friend of mine is gonna hang

if I don't bring these two back alive.

You do as I say. After that,

I don't care whether you go home or to China.

All right.

I'll go.

Hey.

Good luck.

All right, you two... we're going to ride.

And you listen to me.

If they bring Willy and me down,

they're not gonna want you around to talk about it.

♪♪

That's my wife.

But if she's loose,

the means the deputy's already got our man.

So what?

Just that we're too late, that's what!

Why? Oh, it may be a little more dangerous,

but then think of the money that's at stake.

Hey, what about him?

Let him stay.

Three against two, huh? All right.

But it's a fair split.

♪♪

Are you all right?

He didn't harm me, if that's what you mean.

You're all right now.

[ sighs ] If you're worried about protecting your property,

you can stop.

I don't intend to be your property anymore.

I wasn't worried about my property.

I was worried about you.

I'm not going home with you.

I don't care what you say or do.

Even if you carry me,

I'll get away from you.

All right.

You mean that?

You don't have to fight me.

You're free to go if you want to.

I guess you've been thinkin' about it for a while anyway, haven't you?

Yes, I have.

Well, as long as you're not harmed.

I couldn't stand the way we were living.

I was thinkin' about it last night.

Thinkin' how maybe you were hurt or killed.

You were thinking about your provisions that were stolen

and the fact that you had to make your own breakfast this morning.

No.

No, last night I realized...

that you ain't had much time for living.

What would it have hurt

to go into the village once in a while?

What would it have hurt?

Well...

I didn't want you comparing me with younger men.

Is it all right if I ride a ways with you?

No.

I know what you're trying to do, and it won't work.

There's too much standing between us.

Well...

Those two deputies better watch out for themselves.

There's killin' in the air.

Only one deputy.

I should've given you the message right away.

What message?

It's three to one up there.

The deputy wanted you to help him, but I told him to save his breath.

At least you're not up there on the wrong side.

How can a man and woman live so long together

and still not know each other?

I don't turn down no man on this earth

deservin' of help...

when he asks for it.

Don't you get hurt, see?

♪♪

[ gunshot ]

Get behind that rock!

Trampas!

There's no need to fill the air with bullets!

All we want is the money.

I know you better!

Cover me, Bodey.

[ gunfire continues ]

[ gunfire continues ]

This is your last chance, Trampas!

Come on.

Let's do it the easy way.

[ gunfire continues ]

[ gunfire continues ]

[ gunshot ]

Enough! Enough!

Don't shoot no more!

Trampas! Here's my gun!

All right, stay where you are.

You all right?Yeah.

Well, two prisoners is about all I can handle anyway.

Oh, I figure between the two of us,

we could've taken care of them.

♪♪

There they are.

Right on schedule.

Another few minutes, and you two will be on your way home.

Don't be too hard on him.

The law will be hard enough on him.

After what he did to you,

nothing's too hard on him.

I want him to know how I feel.

I'm sure he knows that.

No.

Not Willy. He doesn't know.

He's worthless.

Worthless and no good.

He's on his own now.

And anything he gets, he deserves.

Don't get yourself worked up, honey.

[ door opens ]

Come on.

Hello, Ed.

Sis.

I guess I can't...

hurt anybody ever again, can I?

Just wish I wasn't so scared.

Willy.

Oh!

Oh, Willy.

♪♪

All right, boys, rise and shine!

Got a full day ahead of us! Come on, out of the sack!

Let's go!

Trampas, nice to have you back.

If you're through playin' lawman,

maybe we can knuckle down to some serious business,

like raisin' cattle.

All right, let's go!

Come on!

[ theme music playing ]