Original subtitles

[ theme music playing ]

Whistle's gonna blow, Pops.

A lot that means to you.

[ chuckling ]

Hi, Roy.

[ exhales ]

Here's your chance to get off the hook, Pops. Your credit's good.

Call.

Sevens over fours.

Mm.

Pops, you get some more of those beefsteaks from the guards' mess,

and maybe I'll make an adjustment in your account.

A killer...

and a swindler...

and a horse thief.

Well, the commission insisted on

having a voice in the selection.

[ whistle blows ]

Well, I'd like to help you, George.

You know that.

This is a bad time, you know.

We lost over 500 head of cattle last winter,

and the bottom's about to drop out of the cattle market.

So with that and a few other things to worry about,

I just won't have the time

to nursemaid three ex-convicts.

Not "ex-convicts."

They'll still be serving their sentences, but on the outside.

Well, whatever.

You know, George, if this little experiment of yours fails,

you not only run the risk of being replaced as warden

but it could affect your whole political future.

Sit down, Clay.

Clay, the tendency has always been

to stress punishment as a deterrent for crime.

But that doesn't seem to have worked, does it?

Well, maybe rehabilitation will,

particularly with youthful offenders.

All I'm asking you to do is put those three men to work on your ranch for six months.

If all goes well, the legislature will seriously have to consider

a parole program like the one I've recommended.

And what if those three men get into trouble?

That'll be the end of it.

For many years, I suppose.

I haven't gotten any support from the prison commission.

That's why I need all the help I can get from men like you.

Well, George, I've fostered your political career

ever since you ran for the town council in Jackson Hole.

I've contributed to your campaign.

Yes, you have, and generously.

And I appreciate that support, Clay.

But now I'm asking you to participate actively in something--

not for me personally but for something that I believe in,

something important and worthwhile.

[ chuckles ] Do I detect a new commitment in you?

Yes. A real and personal commitment.

Perhaps for the first time.

Standard bred?

Standard bred and Morgan.

Thought so. They want to pace.

Dan always did admire a good horse.

We haven't missed a bump since we missed the station.

It'll toughen you up in the right places.

Oh, I tell you, we're gonna work our tails off.

You'll do regular ranch work, like everyone else.

Whatever there is to do.

Yeah, there'll always be something to do.

Giddap.

Giddap. Giddap.

When do we get to this place?

We've been there for the last hour and a half.

You'll be able to see the house when we get to that next rise.

Now, people are bound to ask questions.

They always do with strangers.

Now, you can tell them whatever you want, but there's no need to mention

you're from the prison.

If we do, the men will grab their wallets and the women will pull their skirts in.

I've seen 'em that way visiting at the prison.

What's in this for you?

How's that?

Either the prison is paying you a handsome price for your hospitality,

or you just can't resist the thought of free labor.

Call it a favor to a friend.

Your name?Ed Hart.

Where are you from, Ed?

Montana, mostly.You ever work cattle before?

My saddle horn's about sawed through.

I worked for three years for the Double K, and before that, I--

That's all right. You'll do.

We pay $30 a month and found to start.

And we don't want any bunch-quitters. You sign on for two months.

[ buggy approaching ]

Whoa.

All right.

Yes, sir?

There's more men for you.

Well, uh,

sign your names right over there,

and wherever it is you're from.

Nice of you to take us on like this

on such short notice.

Trampas, find them some bunks.

Yo. Well, we got two kinds-- lumpy and saggy.

And all hard.

Well, you won't be spending much time in them anyway.

Right this way.

I'll say this--

They're the greenest-looking bunch I ever saw.

Your mouth's a couple sizes too big, friend.

No offense.

Uh, come on.

Right in here, boys.

[ knocking ]Come in.

Oh. Glad you came by.

Drink?

Past me, thanks.

Here's the estimate of the, uh,

cattle we'll have to move out of the west range.

Mm-hmm.

Still got a burr under your blanket, huh?What?

Well, I'm sure you didn't appreciate my meddling

in your business this afternoon.

It's your ranch.

I think I should explain that

they're not just three out-of-work cowboys.

They're rather unique.In what way?

They're convicts from the territorial prison.

Sort of an experiment.

Warden Keane believes that prisoners should have

a chance to rehabilitate themselves,

and he thinks there's a better chance if they serve part of their sentence

under conditions of freedom.

Well, what did these men do?

Well, Val Tussey is...

he's a gambler,

confidence man, extortionist.

Dan Moss is a horse thief.

Ira Dillard...

killed a man.

Like I said, it's your ranch.

Yeah.

Warden Keane's an old friend of mine,

and he's also a very conscientious, dedicated man.

Believes implicitly in the principle of parole.

When he asked me to help him out,

I just couldn't refuse.

He's very persuasive.

I don't know how the other hands will take to this.

If some of them quit, you can't blame them.

Well, they don't have to know. In fact, it's better if they don't.

And that goes for Trampas and Liz too.

If we weren't so pressed right now, I'd have the time to--

I know exactly what you're gonna say.

These fellows cause any trouble, I can wash my hands

of the whole thing with a clear conscience.

But I promised I'd give it a fair trial.

That could be a little like

locking the barn after the horse has been stolen.

[ guitar playing ]

♪ Mr. Painter, won't you paint my dad ♪

♪ And with every stroke, make sure you add ♪

♪ The few happy years

♪ That we have had together

♪ Mr. Painter, won't you paint his eyes ♪

♪ That's given me so many tries ♪

♪ Color that will immortalize

♪ Forever

♪ My dad

♪ My dad

♪ Mr. Painter, won't you paint his face ♪

♪ And with every line, make sure you trace ♪

♪ Every hard year that he's had to race ♪

♪ With time

♪ Mr. Painter, won't you paint his heart ♪

♪ That understood we had to part ♪

Bet you could write a different song about your old man, huh, Dan?

♪ My dad

♪ My dad

♪ Mr. Painter, won't you paint his hair ♪

♪ That silver color that is rare ♪

♪ With a touch of worry here and there ♪

♪ From me

♪ Mr. Painter, won't you paint his smile ♪

♪ The smile that made my life worthwhile ♪

♪ While I was just a child down on his knee ♪

♪ He's proud to be

♪ My dad

♪ My dad

♪ Mr. Painter, won't you paint his ears ♪

♪ The kind that turned away my tears ♪

♪ While listening to all my fears ♪

♪ Of life

♪ Mr. Painter, won't you paint his soul ♪

♪ A color that's worth more than gold ♪

♪ But he's a story that should be told ♪

♪ To life

♪ My dad

♪ My dad

♪ Mr. Painter, won't you paint my dad ♪

♪ For giving my the best years I've had ♪

♪ With a picture that'll make me glad ♪

♪ To see

♪ Mr. Painter, won't you paint him please ♪

♪ So I can get down on my knees ♪

♪ And thank the Lord that he's ♪

♪ My dad

♪ My dad

♪ My dad

Sure is pretty.

That's a good song.

You get around straw and you think you're in clover.

Bet you there isn't $50 in the whole house.

Well, it beats our last stop.

It does, huh?

By three lengths.

Why, if I want to walk out that door right now

and see what the sky looks like,

I can do it, and ain't nobody to say I can't.

These'll come in handy about 4:00 in the morning.

Just about when it's time to roll out.

You three sure travel light.

Didn't I tell you how we lost our gear?

No. No, I can't say I've had the pleasure.

Well, the three of us were crossing the Great Divide,

and we'd made camp by this lake.

Somebody suggested

we wash off the trail dust.

We could've have been in that water more than ten minutes,

being so cold and all,

but when we ran back to camp,

there wasn't a trace of our clothes.

We must've searched for over an hour.

And then I realized what had happened.

What?

Pack rats.

Pack rats?

Pack rats.

As big as razorback hogs. Made off with the whole shebang.

Horses and all.

And if you don't think we caused some consternation when we walked into town...

Oh. Oh, that's good.

Oh, that's a good one.

Why, if I loved a liar, I'd hug you to death.

Anybody here know how to play poker?

Matter of fact, I give lessons.

Now, that's what I like to hear.

Why, I got so I know personally every dollar bill in the house.

Over here, boy.[ laughing ]

Jay, throw me a blanket.I got it right here.

Oh, good. Lay it right out here, boys.

Break out the dollars. Thank you, my man.

Parker's only got nickels.

CLAY: Well, if you're late in getting in to Seattle,

we're still in trouble.

That market can turn into another Chicago if it's flooded, you know.

We'll start the roundup first thing in the morning.

Say, is it all right to let these men have guns?

Still up?I looked in on the mare.

She should have a beautiful colt.

I'll start breaking him for you as soon as he's ready.

Not this one. I'll gentle-break him myself.

Good night.Night, dear.

Good night.Good night.

You treat those men just like the rest of the hands.

Put them where you think they'll do the most good and tell them what you want.

Well, I, um,

plan to keep the horse thief away from the remuda.

Offhand, I don't know what the best place is

for the killer and the confidence man.

Is this Dillard a gun hawk?

As I understand it, he got in a fight with a man

and broke his back.

Good night, sir.

Good night.

You're openers.

You got more luck than is natural, Tussey.

Can't help it if the cards keep coming my way.

Maybe.

TRAMPAS: All right, deal the cards.

Would you mind coming out and saying what you've got on your mind, friend?

You're a cardsharp.

That's a very interesting observation.

You're a liar.

Hey! Get down! Get down!

Get down, get down.

Hey, what's the trouble?

You've got some pretty poor losers in this outfit.

Trampas?

Uh, well, uh,

Hoyt here kind of suggested Tussey had too much control of the game.

He... [ mumbles ]Can you prove it?

I know when I've been cheated.

That's not good enough in a game of poker.

All right, everybody turn in.

Come morning, you'll miss the sleep more than the money.

Don't twirl it so much. You... You...

Build a bigger loop. Then he'll run right into it.

That's it. Now you've got it. Bigger loop.

Build it real big. Throw it out there. He'll run right in...

That horse is gonna be all spooked up when he does catch it.

Catch him!

Uh-oh.[ shouts ]

Hang on him! Hang on him!

Ho! Whoa. Whoa.

Whoa.

Whoa. Now, whoa.

Well, how long you been at this, Tussey?

Long enough.

Whoa! Ho!

Whoa, now.

Look away, son. Whoa, now. Whoa.

See? Just walk him right out.

Sorry!

He'll be sorry.

A rope around your neck hurts a lot worse.

Moss,

I want you to work on the windmill today.

Why?'Cause it needs attention.

Harper will show you what to do.

Let's ride, boys.

If you can get that horse saddled by today, we'll be on the west range.

Just keep the sun on your back and keep riding.

You coming, Dillard?I'll be along.

I can get a belly full of this real fast.

All we got to do is steer clear of trouble for six months.

We get our sentences reduced, maybe halved.

Just ponder that when you get that full-belly feeling.

Yeah, well, I'm not putting in any six months on this burro.

I'm getting out of here just as soon as I can find an angle.

Morning. You know anything about pumps?

If they don't work, you've got to haul water.

Hah! Why don't you fetch a bucket and some tools from the blacksmith's shed.

Right.

Hello.

Hi.

I see you're admiring Fancy Pants.

Come on, come on.

That's the mare's name.

What do you think?

Oh, uh, it's a good ladies horse.

It's not too big. High withers,

so you don't feel like you're riding downhill.

Trampas says I spoil her with all my pampering.

She's my darling.

This her first foal?

Yes.

She shouldn't have any trouble.

You just signed on, didn't you?

What did you do before you came here?

Horse trading for my old man.

No wonder you know so much about them.

And I was apprenticed to a vet once.

I guess I learned something there.Did you like it?

Yeah. Yeah, I liked it.

But... the old gent up and died on me,

and I went back to my pa.

Uh, can I borrow the bucket?

Sure.

If I had to choose between work and mooning with a girl in a barn,

I'd sure pick mooning, but that won't improve the windmill a particle.

We weren't mooning.

When we get to town, I'll show you some real pretty girls.

Better-tempered ones too.

Somebody give us a hand with this.

Ira doesn't need any help.

Pour me some hot, Ira.

Pour it yourself. You're not in a hotel.I'm up.

Hey, Dick, when's your watch?12:00 to 3:00.

Cut you high card.

Loser takes both watches.TRAMPAS: Put your cards away.

Every man takes his own watch.

The foreman doesn't want anybody falling asleep out there.

Say, uh, tomorrow we ought to start

cutting out those steers that don't look like they'll make it.

We want to make ten, 12, 15 miles a day when we get started.

Yeah.

What's the matter? Something bothering you?

Yeah, now that you've asked.

It's those three fellows Mr. Grainger hired.

Especially Tussey.Has he done something wrong?

Well, nothing you can drag out and stomp on.

It's his attitude, mostly.

That bad, huh?

Well, he's as useless as a third stirrup, except when it comes to making trouble.

Maybe we'd be better off without him on the drive.

Yeah.

I'll talk to him.

All right.

You'd better get some sleep, Val.

I've never slept on the ground in my life.

You'll get used to it.

I don't intend getting used to it.

Oh, you tuck 'em in at night, huh?

No. But sometimes I pull 'em out in the morning.

Mostly I'm around to see that the job gets done.

Mm. Looks like we're in for a talking-to

on minding our manners, Ira.

We've got a lot of hard work to do.

For the next couple of months, we're gonna be fighting this herd all the way to Seattle.

It'll help if we're not fighting amongst ourselves.

Some of your cowboys tell you I've been pulling their curls?

Let's just say it's come to my attention

that you're an expert at making trouble and not much else.

How about firing us?

Tussey, I didn't like this arrangement to start out with.

The more I see of it in practice, the more I'm sure I was right.

But Mr. Grainger--Now, there's your Right Honorable Mr. Grainger, Ira.

He tells us we're gonna be treated just like everyone else

and no one's gonna know we've been in prison.

Mr. Grainger had no choice.

If I didn't know what you were doing here,

I'd have put a shuck to your tail the first time you opened your mouth.

But since you're here, we may as well make the best of it.

You meet the men halfway, and they'll help you along.

You'll get the hang of it.

Listen, mister,

in the Tenderloin district of New York, where I come from,

if you couldn't take care of yourself by the time you were 13, you never saw 14.

So don't tell me I need any of these country cousins wiping my nose!

Oh, I'm sure you were the Tenderloin Terror.

But it takes a real man to hold down a job like this.

From what I've seen, you're not near man enough.

We're getting out of here.Where are we going?

Canada! It's only about 600 miles.

Well, what'll we do after we get--

Live! Better than you ever lived.

You got any idea what those cows out there are worth?

No.Fifty dollars.

Maybe 55. Say we could get 40.

Couple hundred of those, you've got yourself around $10,000.

You don't think you see that kind of money, Ira?

Well, you just stick with me and you will.

There she is.

Think she'd run away?

Or maybe somebody made off with her?

I didn't know what to think.

She hasn't been out of her stall in so long.

Too long. She needs exercise.

Is that all right? Now?

Best thing in the world.

I took her down to the meadow for some of that sweet grass.

Do you think there's anything we need for in town?

You might get some slack lime for the stall.

After that, there's nothing to do but wait.

How long do you think it'll be?

Could be today, tomorrow. Can't figure 'em that close.

I'll tell Doc Meade.

Trouble is, he'll say,

"Nothing to get excited about, Elizabeth. Foals are born every day."

He'll be right.

I thought you were in a hurry to leave.

I'm ready. This is Dan Moss.Yeah, we've met.

He's been exercising Fancy Pants for me.

Anybody tell you to exercise this mare?

Nope.

Harper's looking for you. He has some logs for you to peel.

I finished that.

He has some more. This wasn't five minutes ago.

Thanks for taking her out.

You usually have a running commentary on the wildflowers,

the meadowlarks and the cloud formations coming through here.

Why not today?No reason.

That young fellow, Moss,

is quite interested in your mare, isn't he?

He likes horses.

I thought he might also have an eye for the ladies.

No, it's nothing like that.

What do you talk about?

Horses.

[ chuckles ]

Sounds innocent enough.

But I think it might be

to take it a little easy around strangers, Liz.

Uncle Clay, I know what you're trying to say.

I'm not very good at it, am I?

You're just fine at it.

Whoa.

Well, is an hour gonna be enough?

Unless Doc Meade is out. I want to talk to him personally.

I haven't got much shopping to do.Take as long as you want.

I won't be hard to find.

Howdy, chief.

[ reading silently ] "For the second time in two days,

there were outbreaks of violence

in the Wyoming Territorial Prison.

The second incident occurred in the prison mess hall,

where prisoners threw food and utensils

to dramatize their demands for better conditions.

The prison commission, which has been critical

of Warden Keane's liberal policies,

blames Keane for the incidents."

Good morning.Hello, Emmett.

What do you think of those riots?

Well, it sounds pretty serious.

Apparently we haven't heard the last of it.

You know the warden, don't you?

He's a good friend of mine. He's a good friend of the prisoners too,

if they'd only realize it.

You got yourself some business, Emmett?I bet I soon will have.

That's Kyle Spanner.

He just got out of jail in Two Springs last week.

I hope he doesn't plan to squat here.

Well, I'll see you later.

[ whistles, shouts ]

Move!

Bring that iron over here.

Give this calf a name.

That's good.

All right. Go on, tell your mommy about it.

He too young to make the trip?Yeah, I think so.

Well, thanks, pard.

Hey! Well, I'll be. Look at that.

[ chuckles ]He roped him!

Uh, take a-- take a dally on him.

Rope.

Well,

looks like you got your horse wet, Tussey.

What are you talking about?

Well, he shrunk.

Well, that cinch was plenty tight this morning.

Nobody messed with your saddle, Tussey, except this horse.

You see, they've got a sneaky way in the morning of puffing up,

and you think you've got it just as tight as she'll go.

You give her an extra tug or two, like that,

it'll, uh, keep you from having them

sudden dismounts.

Uh, where'd Mr. Grainger find those three, anyway?

Around.Well, we've had some greenhorns before,

but that Tussey-- whew!-- he's a breath of spring.

Oh, I'd say he's picking it up pretty fast.

Well, he's got a disposition like a trapped bobcat,

but I'll grant you, you've only got to tell him once.

Hey, Val, you all right?

Yes, I'm all right.

I was watching you from the top of the hill.

Boy, you sure snagged that cow.

Nobody could've done better.

Anybody who's got brains enough to come in out of the rain can handle this work.

I thought you was getting to like it a little better.

Shane even said that with inside a year,

you could be a top hand.

Well, I hate to disappoint these good folks,

but I've got other plans.

You still going, Val?

We're going, Ira, first chance we get.

So don't get comfortable.

Just wish I could be here when they start countin' noses

and find they're short a couple a hundred head

and three cowboys.

Here, this map will give us more detail.

Oh, that's better.

I don't think we'll have any trouble with water for the first nine or ten days,

but, uh, there's about

40 miles of dry country here before we reach Muddy Flats.

Well, if the weather's cool, you won't have any trouble.

Otherwise you'll have to move 'em at night.

Can I keep this?

Take it. That's what it's for.Thank you.

Uh, I thought I'd let a few of the hands go into town tonight

and some more tomorrow.Good idea.

They won't be seeing the sights for some little time.

Just don't stand between them and the door when you mention it.

What about our three friends?

You've been closer to that than I have. How are they working out?

They're coming along. Dillard's a good worker.

Doesn't mix much. Sticks close to Tussey.

Tussey, I don't know. Got a lot of savvy,

but every so often, for no reason, he starts showing the white of his eye.

How's the Moss kid coming along?

Oh, I've had to get on him a couple of times

for spending so much time with Liz's mare.

We knew we weren't getting any prizes.

Let 'em go. They're not giving us a true test

if we keep too tight a rein on them.

All right.

[ chattering ]

Whoo-ee!

I do believe we have a night blooming jasmine among us.

This, my friend,

is "ooh-ee" de cologne.

Why, the barber that sold me this said it was outlawed in most states

east of the Missouri.They're probably afraid it'll stampede cattle.

It'll stampede women, my friends. I promise you.

Now, you may not believe this, but the last time

I dared to use this, I must've been too generous,

because three-- three highly refined women

got in the worst fight over me-- oh, it was awful!

Pawing and scratching and biting and scratching.

[ chuckles ] It was awful.

But tonight-- tonight only--

I will sell this little magic bottle of essence

for... [ sniffs, coughs ]

one dollar a squirt.

Hmm?

You, sir. Aren't you going into town tonight?

I'm not sure yet.

Hmm. All right, who will be first?

Results absolutely guaranteed.

Will you put the lid on that?

I think it's bringing in the mosquitoes.

Get... All right, all right.

Don't come crying to me with your hard-luck stories

about the gals turning their backs on you because you smell bad.

Ah, ah! A dollar a squirt, James.

[ indistinct chatter ]

What's this?An advance on your wages.

You'll need something to jingle in your pockets in town.

You're letting us go into town?

Tonight or tomorrow night. Suit yourself.

After that, we'll need every hand to keep the herd bunched.

I didn't think they were gonna pay us.

Don't get choked up. You go far on $5, and they know it.

Well, I'm going to town, I tell you.

It's been a long time since I heard my boots on the boardwalk.

You coming, ain't you, Val?

Wouldn't miss it for the world.

Ira...

I think I hear opportunity knocking.

I'll saddle your horse for you.

Whose idea is this?

We've had it for a while. We just haven't had a chance to bring you in.

Ira, you really want to do this?

Yeah, Ira's dumb.

But he's not dumb enough to pass this up.

And I don't think you are either.

We can all get a stake overnight, a fat one.

That's the only thing between us and freedom.

You... are making wind.

Till you get a buyer for those steers, you got nothing.

You just leave that to me.

In every town, there's one or two good citizens

just itching to get their hands on some easy money.

And there's one or two more good citizens

just itching to string 'em up on a tree.

I seen it happen to my pa.

If I'd been a little older, I'd have been up there with him.

If you're scared, kid, I can't help you.

I just never figured you for a chicken hawk.

And another thing-- Suppose we did get away with it.Then you're with us?

There's a lot of men back in that prison who are gonna lose out.

Nobody else will ever get paroled out of there.

If they was out here, do you think they'd be worrying about you?

They'd have taken off long before this.

I'm just making sure when we go, we go in style.

[ door opens ]

Did you decide to go in?

Might as well see what the town's got to offer.

Deal me out, huh?

Think I'll head back.

I'll wait for Val.

'Cause he told you to?

You don't have to do what he said.

Val's a good friend.

He's such a good friend,

he lets you do all his work for him, and still you lick his boots.

What does he do for you?

He talks to me.

Boys,

this is Mr. Kyle Spanner.

Ira,

Dan.

Sit down.

And relax.

Mr. Spanner's an alumnus of Leavenworth,

so no one's got to put on airs.

[ chuckles ]

Now, I told Kyle what we had in mind,

and, uh, he wants in.

You know somebody who will take the cattle?

About 150 head.

That's about all the four of us could move fast anyway.

It'll be $40 a head, cash on delivery.

We can be in the next county before they know what's happened.

Now, Kyle's gonna check with his people, and, uh,

we'll set a time and place.

Evening, Deputy.

Evening.

Would you by any chance know the gentleman sitting over there with my friends?

The older one?

You tell your friends they'd be in better off

talking with a six-foot timber rattler.

Thanks, Deputy.

I'll see they stay out of trouble.

Hey, Trampas, where did you get to

after you left the grange hall?

I bucked a tiger.

I hope lady luck treated you better than the redhead at the dance.

TRAMPAS: Why don't you go to sleep?

The only reason she went off with that drummer was she knew she just couldn't trust herself

with such a sweet-smelling cowboy.

[ all laughing ]

My watch is gone.

Where'd you see it last?

I don't know. I always keep it with me.

It was my grandfather's.

You can search me.

He didn't mean anybody took it.

I did.

What do you know about the new hands around here?

Me or anybody else?

What about those three?

You know anything about them?

You, uh, got any objections if we search you?

We wouldn't like that at all.

No, I didn't think you would.

Well, maybe you don't have anything to say about it.

Get him! Ira!

Ira!Why, you...

Take it easy. Take it easy!

Not with those three. You don't know what you're living with.

They're not cowhands, they're convicts!

They're all serving time right now!

Ira, is that true?

Val?

THE VIRGINIAN: They're paroled in Mr. Grainger's custody.

How come you know so much about it?

I'm a federal officer assigned by the prison commission

to observe this, uh, experiment.

Mr. Grainger know about that?

I work for the commission.You're also a hand on this ranch.

Now, I don't know how long that'll be,

but while you're here, I don't want you stirring up any trouble.

If they stole something, it's my business to know about it.

Uh, Dick's watch is missing.

Hoyt wanted to search these three, but, uh, they didn't want to be searched.

I've never searched a hand yet, Hoyt.

I'm not about to start now.

That doesn't matter.

I know they took it.

We all know now.

THE VIRGINIAN: Sounds like you're dead set on sending these men back to prison.

HOYT: Nothing could please me more.

And if it was up to me, they'd stay there until doomsday.

They can talk all they want about different treatment for different prisoners,

but I know this scum

first-hand, and they're all the same.

I was a prison guard for three years,

rubbing elbows with 'em every day.

And all that time, I saw one--

one I thought should get a better break.

And do you know how he thanked me?

With that!

I'll never trust one again.

Not one mother's son.

Oh. Uh, here's the answer

to Mr. Grainger's telegram.

It's open, in case

your curiosity overpowers you.

I don't read other people's mail.

That's funny. I get paid to.

Too bad about that warden.

Got himself killed last night in another one of those riots.

What's going on out there at Shiloh anyway?

Nothing.

THE VIRGINIAN: I'm sorry, Mr. Grainger.

It's doubly tragic when someone who has so much to offer

is taken before he's even had a chance to finish his work.

This could spell the end of the whole parole program.

It certainly gives us the perfect excuse to wash our hands of the whole thing.

Yes, it does.

But strangely enough, now that George is gone,

I feel an even greater responsibility

to make his parole theory prove out.

You know what I mean?I think I do.

Hoyt doesn't want it to work out.

I'd like to fire him.

Then the prison commission could claim we were covering something up,

that it wasn't a true test.

He's sure got everybody riled up over Dick's watch.

That hasn't turned up yet?No, sir.

What do you think?I think we're making a mountain out of a $12 watch

when there are a lot more important things to worry about.

But Hoyt could report back that the men stole the watch

and could scuttle the whole project.

Now that the men know, what's their attitude?Cool.

Anybody quit?Not yet.

[ door shuts ]

Excuse me, Uncle Clay,

but I'm sure there's something wrong with Fancy Pants.

She's been in labor too long.

Isn't Doc Meade here?

Supposed to be.

I sent Tussey in to find out what was holding him up.

WOMAN: All I know is, Ben Abrel's milk cows were foundering,

and Doctor said he wouldn't be back until they were out of danger.

When will that be?You know as much about that

as I do, maybe more.

Now, I'll tell Doctor soon as he gets back.

I can't do more than that, can I?

THE VIRGINIAN: Something is wrong. She should've foaled by this time.

I'll stay here and do what I can for her.

You and Trampas better get back to the herd.

I'll stay until Doc Meade gets here.

All right.

I'm so mad at Doc Meade!

Now, honey, he'd be here if he could.

I didn't want to say anything in front of Liz,

but I don't think that mare's gonna make it.

There a problem?

I'm afraid so.

No sign of the foal, and she's getting weaker.

DAN: She doesn't look too good, does she?

Well, if she has this colt at all,

it's coming back into this world.

Breech birth?

Can't anything be done?

Sometimes they have to cut the foal out.

I wouldn't hold out much hope for the mother.

Isn't the vet coming?

He should've been here a long time ago.

DAN: If she doesn't foal pretty soon, you're gonna lose both of them.

If she was mine, I don't think I'd wait.

I'd give her a hand now.

Well, anything's better than this.

Once we start, we've got to work fast.

If the cord breaks, the colt's gonna need air, all right?All right.

DAN: Easy, girl.

Ah, evening, Mr. Spanner.

You, uh, talk to your people?

They're ready anytime.

See you tomorrow night.

I've been waiting for you, Val.So's Spanner.

Everything's set. [ laughing ]

Did Dan say anything more to you?

I don't know if he's coming or not.

Well, he'd better. Spanner's counting on him.

Where is he now?

Well, he's down there in the barn helping them with the mare.

There.

He's on his own now.

What are you crying about?

All you've got to do now is think up a name for him.

We can thank you that we have that problem, Dan.

Well, you said we'd be doing a little bit of everything.

At the time, I never expected I'd be helping you deliver a colt.

I will say this, though--

I never took so many orders in so short a time

since I was a barn boy in Kansas.

Well, good night, Dan.

Good night.

Thank you, Dan.

Thank you very much.

Good night, Dan.Good night.

[ humming ]

Sounds like you're practically a member of the family, Dan.

Weren't you supposed to be getting the vet?

I went.

He's sittin' up with a sick cow or something.

I saw Spanner. We go tomorrow night.

You're with us, aren't you?

I don't know.

There's a lot of ground between here and that border.

With this kind of money? We'll buy good horses all the way.

They'll never even see our backsides.

And there's other things too.Ah.

Like you got a nice rosy glow because the big boss

patted you on the head and called you "Dan boy."

Why shouldn't he? Doesn't cost nothing.

You just saved him a $300 horse.

Well, you listen to your Uncle Val.

This time tomorrow, it'll be "Moss" again.

Day after that it'll be, "You there, fetch that pail and slop those pigs."

And in six months, you're back in prison.

Dan,

you stick with us and this time tomorrow, you'll have enough cash in your britches

to start a horse ranch all your own.

You can get up in the morning when you're good and ready.

And when you go out to look over your stock,

those horses you're lookin' at are yours.

And the grass they're eating's yours. So's the fence you're leaning on.

Folks'll come up to you and they'll say,

"Mr. Moss,

I'd like to talk to you about that sorrel you got for sale,

and why don't you come over for dinner so's we can talk about it?"

Huh? Huh? [ chuckling ]

What do you say, Dan? That's worth a little risk, isn't it?

Yeah, I guess so.That a boy!

[ laughing ]

I knew you'd smarten up.

[ laughing ]

THE VIRGINIAN: Ought to find out something about the market when we get to Yakima.

I'll try to get word back to you.

Hoyt send in his report yet?

I don't think so. I've been keeping him pretty busy.

You still want him on this drive?

Well, if he wants to quit, let him.

But I'm not firing him.

He won't rest easy till he's made a case for himself.

Yeah.

Well, where is he?He'll be along.

Probably having a little trouble getting out of camp.

When do they spell you?

Three hours, maybe a little less.

We'll be some distance by then.

Maybe we ought to call the whole thing off.

I got men waiting for these steers.

Well, maybe the three of us could move 'em.

And you can carry water in a sieve.

We'd leave a trail of steers all the way to Elkhorn.

[ hoof beats ]

If we didn't need you, kid, I'd chop you up right now!

Where are the fresh horses?

I stole my last horse.

And that goes for cattle too.

You're gonna help us drive these cattle to Elkhorn, kid.

We had an agreement, and you're keeping up your end.

Once we get 'em there, you're free to go anywhere you want,

and I'll even give you a boot on your way, but you're not backing out now!

Look, Dan,

you can go back tonight if you want.

Nobody has to know you had anything to do with it.

But we need you to help cut out those cows!

I been thinking about this all day, and I'm stayin' out of it.

And you'd better do some thinking too.

We got it all set now.He got it all set.

Then he told you what to do.

You're here because he needs you, not because he wants you.

When the time comes that he don't need you anymore,

and that could be in a couple hours, when he gets the money,

you're gonna be alone again.

I don't know, Val.

I don't want to believe him, but...

He's talking crazy, Ira!

We're gonna split the money and head for Canada just like we planned.

The thing is,

with Dan, he's never asked me for anything.

Maybe I'll just stay here with him.

Why, you lily-livered...

Stampede!

Stampede!

Come on, boys! Get up!

Let's go!

They're heading for the arroyo.

Come on, come on!

Stay right there!

Hyah!

Hyah!

[ whistles, shouts ]

Hey, come on!

[ shouting ]

[ shouting, whistling ]

Come on, cows!

Hyah!

[ shouting ]

You got... no idea...

how heavy those things are

till they walk on to you.

Let's lift him up and get him back to camp.

Come on, come on.

[ shouting, whistling ]

I don't know who Spanner's friends were

at... at the other end.

Try not to talk anymore.

No, I...

want to say it

while I still can.

Dan and Ira...

they tried to stop us.

They didn't want any part of it.

You got that, Hoyt?

From what I saw, pard,

first-rate job in turning that herd.

I put in a lot of time

and sweat collecting them brutes.

I wasn't gonna see

any investment of mine

running off some cliff.

Harper found my watch down by the creek.

It must've pulled out when I was filling my canteen.

He can't hear you, Dick.

I don't guess he was ready to admit it,

but I think he was beginning to like the job.

[ gasps ]

Well, you'll likely pick up some strays along the way.

If anybody cuts your trail and wants cattle,

you be sure you know who you're talking to.

I understand you're leaving.

I've seen all I need to.

I've still got to make my report, but it'll be a fair one.

Could be Warden Keane

had a good idea after all.

Good luck.

Well, you have some problems,

you've got a good crew to take care of them.

See you in a couple of months.

The point'll be camped before the drag's started.

[ men shouting, whistling ]

Doc Meade says he could sure use somebody like that Moss boy

in his office, the way the town's growing.

It would be wonderful.

And he'd be the logical one to come out and check on Fancy Pants and her colt,

just to see how they're getting along.

Hah!Get in there!

[ shouting ]

[ theme music playing ]