Original subtitles

[ theme music playing ]

Molasses cards, you know that?

Slower than molasses in January, those old, bad men.

Even old Jesse James drew like an old washer woman.

You know, even if he could draw fast, he couldn't hit

the broad side of a barn on a still day at high noon.

[ laughing ]Somebody ought to shut up them kids.

Bet's two dollars to me?

[ thunder crashes ]

Yeah, well, my pa was the fastest man around

when he was marshal at Abilene.

and he saw the best gunfighters in the world come through there.

My pa was telling me, "That's a bunch of bunk

about them stalking each other down the middle of the street at sundown.

I can't think straight with them jackasses braying their brains out.

Dumb kids.

[ exclaims ][ men laughing ]

Tell my dear, sainted mother my dying words.

"Dying words."Tell her, "Mother, dear,

you're built like a sod house,

you've got a face like a nanny goat,

but I still love you, Mother, dear."

[ laughing ]

You know, I could've taken any one of those old men.

Hey, Kiley, could you out-draw your pa?

Well, sure.

Sure. I mean, he's not like he used to be when he was marshal at Abilene.

He's got that arthritis, you know.

He says I'm faster than he ever was. Faster than any of 'em.

Hey, Kiley, why don't you show us?

Come on. Give us a show.

It might just liven up this joint, huh?

Yeah, it just might. Come on, give us a little demonstration.

You know what to do, right?Yeah, I sure do.

Hilton, you having fun?

Why don't you just sit down and shut up,

just for a change?

That's some wit he's got there, isn't it?

Kind of tears me all up, mister.Go roll your hoop, kid.

Kiley.

Kiley Cheever, not "kid."

All right. All right.

Just get away.

Go, Kiley.

[ all laughing ]I told you he could do it.

Jehosephat, what do you think you're doing?

Well, I was just showing my friends what a fast draw

really looks like... these days.

You all know now, don't you?

I know you're a young fool,

and your pa ought to keep you locked up.

You might've hit somebody!

Mister, I never hit anything I don't aim at.

You want to see?

Huh?

Any of you want to see?

Let's have a new deal, hmm?

[ young men chattering, laughing ]

Did I scare you?

Guns never scare me, Kiley.

Just little boys with guns.

Well, I guess you'd know who's a little boy and who isn't, wouldn't you?

Yeah, I do.

And you never did impress me with any of your tricks.

[ laughing ]

Yeah.

Why don't you set 'em up, Jack, huh?

Give me drinks for everybody.

Hi, Pa.

I-I didn't expect to see you so soon.

You know, with your arthritis and the bad weather.

Well, I didn't think you'd come through the storm.

You look like you need a drink.

Hey, you get my pa some whiskey, huh?

Where'd you get the money to buy all the drinks?

Well, I saved it.

Yeah, I did. Uh...

I saved it so I could come out and have fun once in a while.

You got a hat and coat?

Yeah, sure.

Go get 'em.

What for?

You're going home.

That sure is a good idea.

Get him out of here.

Shut up.

Look, Pa, we just got started.

Go get your duds, kid.

I ain't gonna say it again.

You know, you've got no cause just rolling in here

and acting high and mighty and telling me what to do.

Now, I'm staying.

I was taking you home for this.

You sooner have it right here? You'll get it.

What's eating you, Pa? Look, I did my work.

I saved my money. I'm just gonna have a little fun, that's all.

You thieving, lying little punk!

You took the money out of my box!

I've had enough rotten luck in this life

without having a rotten kid.

I told you not to do this to me.

Pa, don't! Pa! Don't!

Pa, just stay away from me. You hear me?

You just stay away from me.

I'm an old lion, kid.

I've busted practically everything in my body including a gut.

I'm carrying lead around in me now.

I don't give a hoot in hell if I take on any more.

Oh, Pa, please don't!

You'd better start shooting.

Big man.

Big Jesse James.

[ crying out ]

I told you when I taught you.

Lay off!When you draw,

shoot!

If you ain't gonna shoot, don't draw.

I won't let any son of mine be a punk.

I'll kill you before I let that happen.

I'm going home now.

You see that you get there ahead of me.

Kiley!

I'm never coming home, Pa!

Never!

[ sobbing ]

I'm never coming home.

Howdy.

Uh, I'm going to Medicine Bow.

Medi... Medicine Bow.

Wh-White man town. You savvy?

Medicine Bow.

Wyoming Territory.

How... How far is it?

That way.

You walk three days, maybe more.

I've got a horse.

You walk.

Hey! Hey, now, wait a second!

Hey, come on, now. Hey! You can't take my jack...

Look, now! Oh! Hey! Hey!

You're not gonna keep all my things, are you?

You have. We need.

No, I had.

Look, those are the only things I've got in the world. You don't need all of them.

I know how you feel.

Once I had a million head of buffalo.

Now, you look. I'm gonna...

Hi. You get an answer?

Mm-hmm.Well?

Oh, no. You read it yourself.

If I tell you, you'll chew me out.She stays?

Read the telegram.

How do you like that?

Well, you know Mr. Grainger.

He won't tell you anything, he'll just ask it.

And makes it impossible to say no.

Like you say, "impossible."

He's right, though. They'll all be home in a week.

If we send her back home now, it'll take her three weeks to get back here.

So we've inherited this

Melissa Wainwright for one week.

Not "we."Now, wait a second.

Me.Oh.

Of course, as my top hand and good friend...

It's not my fault she came here a week early.

Well, just to see that she's comfortable,

make sure she doesn't get into any trouble.

What kind of trouble could she possibly get into?

You're the one always saying you know so much about women.

This isn't a woman. This is Mr. Grainger's niece.

I should think the principle would be the same.

Where is she at now?

Up at the house, getting ready for the Graingers' return.

With any luck, she'll stay up there for the whole week.

You want to bet?I'm not that much of a gambling man.

I didn't think so.

[ excited chattering ]

Hey, douse these walls good.

Come on, boys. Douse 'em down inside and out.

Anybody got any idea how this started?

We don't know. All of a sudden, there was a lot of smoke.

THE VIRGINIAN: It didn't start by itself.

What's that?

Nothing. Just an old bottle.

All right, somebody stay here and make sure a breeze doesn't fan a spark.

The rest of you can go back to work.

Rondell.

What do you want to know? Just ask me.

Were you drinking on the job again?No.

Uh, a spot.

A spot in the morning when my bones ache.

Got any idea how this thing got started?

Well, I, uh, guess

I was one of the first ones that spotted the smoke--

me and... me and Dick.

We were there first.

All right. It was an accident.

I don't want any more, and I don't want any drinking on the job.

I mean that. You got it?

I smelled the smoke from the house.

It's all right. We've got everything under control.

Back home, a thing like that's the worst thing that can happen.

It's the same way out here, Miss Wainwright.

Please, call me Melissa.All right, Melissa.

I was wondering, I'd like to get some things in town.

Would it be all right if I borrowed the rig?

Well, uh, you think you can find your way in by yourself?

Oh, yes.

Trampas.

Weren't you going into town?No, I...

Uh, yeah. Yeah. Something I could get you?

Oh, no. I sort of wanted to,

well, just walk around, see Medicine Bow, and pick up some things.

Why don't you two ride in together?

Uh, sure. Sure. Fine. Why don't we do that?

Well, fine. I'll go get ready.

Beats cleaning out the barn.

Not necessarily.

Whoa.

Yep. Reset him for me, will you?

[ whistling ]

Hey, mister,

is this Medicine Bow?

It sure is.

Can you tell me which way it is to the Shiloh Ranch?

Shiloh Ranch? Right back there.

It's pretty far walkin'.

Well, why don't you tell me where I can get something to eat, then?

Why don't you try the saloon? You got business in Shiloh, kid?

The name's not "kid."

If I got business, it's my business.

Hey, you got something to eat?

Sure thing.

You, uh, got something to pay for it?

Yeah.

Let's see.

Well, I don't have it on me, but...

That's what I thought.

Well, listen, I was robbed.

I was jumped by a bunch of Indians up in the mountains.

Must've been 20 of 'em.

I got a couple of 'em, but, well, they got away

with everything I own-- even my horse.

Look, I've been walking for a long time.

[ laughing ] I've got to hand it to you, kid.

That's the best story I've heard in a long time.

Well, it's true.

You killed two Indians, then they let you go?

Well, I escaped.

Is that the wildest story you ever heard in your life?

You calling me a liar, mister?

Kid, I sure am.

Well, I'm not lying, and I'm no kid.

If I had my gun, I guess I'd show you.

Now, let me tell you something, son.

If you're trying to do me out of a free meal,

you are sure going about it in the wrong way.

I'm not trying to do you out of anything. I'm gonna pay you.

I'm gonna get a job out at the Shiloh Ranch soon as I find my friend Trampas.

You know him? Trampas?

Yeah, I guess I do.

He a good friend of yours?

He sure is.

Well, all I can say, kid, is it's a good thing you ain't hunting for bear.

Hmm?

'Cause if you was hunting for bear the way you're hunting your friend Trampas,

you'd be getting chawed to pieces by now.

You're Trampas, huh?

I guess I look kind of dumb, huh?

"Kind of"?

I'm Kiley Cheever.

You remember me?

Cheever?

You Roy Cheever's kid?

Yeah.

Well...

Well, I'll... Well, sure, you are.

That's funny. There was something about you...

Well, I'll be darned. [ whistles ]

You sure have grown.

I used to bounce him on my knee.

Guess I was about ten years old then.

Yeah, about ten.

Well, I'll be... I'll be.

Well, he's right, Bart. He is a friend of mine.

Well, if you're as hungry as you look, you probably want a whole cow.

Yeah, I haven't eaten in about three days.

Well, you heard him, Bart. Bring in a cow.

Okay, come on over here. Well, I'll be darned.

Pa's not doing so good at all.

He's got that arthritis, you know.

Kind of sours him on everything.

He's drinking a lot of whiskey, even by himself.

Makes him mean.

Sure doesn't sound like Roy Cheever.

I know. He's changed.

He even tried to kill me before I left.

Well, now, hold on.

No, he did.

Had to pull my gun on him.

He backed off then. He knows I'm better than he is.

You're better than Roy Cheever, huh?

Mm-hmm.

I called him out. Had to take his gun away from him.

After that, there was nothing I could do but light out.

Well, I'm sure sorry to hear this, Kiley.

Roy Cheever's one of the best men I ever knew.

He saved my life once.

Yeah, he told me about that.

That's why I came here.

You see, I had to get away,

and, well, the only other man I respected and admired was you.

No, I mean it.

I never forgot you.

I always wanted to be just like you.

I was hoping maybe you could get me a job at the Shiloh Ranch.

I'm a good hand.

I've got a lot to learn, but I'd like to learn it from you.

Well, all right.

I'll see what I can do about that.

You think it'd be all right if he hitches a ride back to the ranch with you?

You think you could find your way?Of course.

It's a great outfit, Trampas. Thanks.

You sure I don't need a gun, though?

No, I think that can wait.

Well, there aren't any Indians around here.

I'm gonna ride on ahead so I can talk to the foreman.

You can ride back with Miss Wainwright.

Oh, Melissa, to both of you.

That's just fine with me.

Here, let me get this.

Pretty girl like you shouldn't be driving.

Ha!

Spooky, isn't he?

Well, I think he's just used to a lighter hand, Mr. Cheever.

Giddyap.

You know, I thought the days of wild Indians was over.

Well, there they were--

25, 30 of 'em,

half naked, swarming all around me.

My uncle said there wasn't any Indian trouble around here anymore.

Did you really kill two of them, Mr. Cheever?

Kiley. You can call me Kiley.

Tell you the truth, Miss Melissa,

I don't really hold with killing, unless you have to.

No, I only winged 'em.

I got 'em here on the arm, or...

maybe here on the earlobe.

You must be a crack shot.

Yeah. Yeah, I guess I am.

I don't brag about it, though.

I figure if a man's really good at something, he doesn't have to.

Of course not.

You take yourself, for instance.

You're probably the prettiest girl around,

but, well, you don't have to say so.

Anybody in his right mind can see that.

I make up my mind quick about people.

Usually right too.

And you've made up your mind about me?

Oh, sure.

I could tell about you right off.

You know, you're not just pretty. You've got a mind too.

I bet you like to read books.

Yes, I do.

Yeah, me too.

Don't you go telling anybody.

Why?

Cowhands ain't exactly the brainiest bunch in the world.

They see you reading a book or something like that, they, uh...

well, they think it's kind of sissy.

There's nothing sissy about reading a book.

Oh, no, we know that, you and me.

Well, they don't like anybody that's different.

Well, I guess I am.

I'm not saying I'm better than anybody, but...

well, I'm gonna find something in this world.

Something big, something...

Like a... Like a big pothole.

[ men whooping, shouting ]

[ mooing ]

Well, I've heard of Roy Cheever.

If his kid's anything like the man he was, he ought to be all right.

Well, he roped his calf all right.

He's all yours.

You just seen it done Texas style, boys.

What do you think this is, a rodeo?

Seems kind of eager.

Yeah, well, I guess

he wants to make a good impression.

Well, how was that?

You ought to keep in mind we've got a couple hundred more to go.

Yes, sir. Does that mean I'm hired?

If your friend Trampas here

says it's all right, that's good enough for me.

I've got to get over to the north range.

When you're through here, bring everybody over and we'll make a tally.

You ought to slow down, kid.

We don't want you to bust a gut your first day on the job.

Well, there's just one thing, though.

It's "Kiley," not "kid."

I'll try to keep that in mind.

What is that gunk?

What's the matter with it?

Sure smells funny.Yeah?

Why don't you blow your nose?

[ men chuckling ]Just kidding.

"Gunk." Who's he?

The king of England?

Do you mind I get in here?

I'm gonna need a back brace to eat this stuff.

You'd better watch out for Cookey.

If he's got it in for you, he'll give you gravy over skunk.

Yeah, I think he already has.

If you don't like it, kid, you can just throw it out.

That's a great wit you got there, Moran.

Kind of tears me all to pieces.

MAN: Say, Kiley.

We got a rumor you had a run-in

with some wild Indians on the way up here.

I guess I did.

You know, I thought I was a goner that time.

You know, we don't have any Indians down in Texas,

so I really didn't know what to do.

I'm not kidding you. It was, uh,

30, 35 of 'em all swarming around me.

They was mad, too, 'cause I winged a couple of 'em.

They took me in.

I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't escaped out the back of that tepee.

RONDELL: I do.

I was captured by those same Indians.

Yeah?

That's right.

And just like you, I was surprised they didn't kill me

but stuck me instead inside a tepee.

And I want to tell you, boy,

if you hadn't escaped, you'd sure know what they were gonna do to you.

What's that?

They were gonna fatten you up,

just like they did to me.

Ate corn bread, venison meat, gravy.

I just couldn't figure it.

Till suddenly I saw

a great, big stew pot on the fire.

And then it come to me--

They was fattening me up to eat me.

How'd you escape?

Well, son, I didn't. They ate me.

That's-That's real funny, huh? That's real funny.

Look, at least I'm not some old boozer

that's got to have a drink of whiskey every five minutes.

Ah, kid, you got a fresh mouth.

Now, I told you. It's not "kid."

It sure is.

You ain't been here but two days,

and the stories get wilder all the time.

You think we're all dumb or what?

We know you never winged no Injun. You probably can't even shoot.

If I had my gun, I guess I'd show you, mister.

All right.

Show me.

Come on, Rand, go easy.

That's all right. That's all right. I'm calling his bluff.

Let's see if he can shoot, huh?

How about this at 20 feet?

Not much of a gun.

Watch out. It shoots.

All right, let's put this little old cup down over here.

Ain't a man here can't hit this cup two out of three times.

Let's see if you...

Did I hit it, Mr. Moran?

I'm gonna beat you to a pulp.

Come on. Let me go.

Cut it out!

Just keep him out of my sight. That's all I say.

Next time, why don't you put that cup on top of your head?

That way I can try and miss.

You take it easy.

You saw what happened.

Easy, easy.

You take it easy!

What are you so sore about?

I'm a cowhand, not a chore boy.

[ chuckling ]

That's funny, huh? Very funny?

What are you doing here?

Why don't you go out and tend the herd like the rest of them?

I'm a brand man,

and branding's finished.

When you get old, riding herd

jangles all your bones, so...

you get a chance to be chore boy again.

I'm mending leather.

Why don't you just keep mending leather and stop staring at me?

I reckon you sure showed 'em

how handy you was with a gun.

Now, you gave Moran a bad turn, son.

Yeah, I guess I did.

Kind of gave me one too.

Put me in mind of your pa.

Is there anybody around here that don't know him?

It was a long time ago.

Guess we weren't much older than you.

You know, you're kind of like him.

I'm like my pa, huh?

Yep.

Not likely.

He was a show-off kid too.

He was always showing off how fast he was with a gun.

How he could do everything better than everybody else.

He was always making jokes and laughing at everybody.

You sure you're talking about Roy Cheever?

Yep.

It was killing a man that changed him.

Sure he killed men.

He killed lots of men when he was marshal at Abilene.

This was before.

Guess he was about your age.

He and a friend of his were horsing around in a saloon,

shooting beer mugs off each other's heads.

Showing off for the dudes.

And then his friend put a shot glass on the top of his head

and dared him.

And he missed.

It was his best friend. Like to broke his heart.

You know, it's a funny thing.

You live long enough,

you get to notice how things start coming around again.

Well, I've got to get back to work.

Hey, you're gonna have to get mad at that.

Oh, hi, Kiley.

I thought everybody was out at the north range.

I thought you were just visiting. Looks more like you hired on.

I'm just keeping busy till the Graingers get back.

I'm chore boy for the day, so why don't you let me do that?

Oh, I was hoping you'd ask.

The way you beat a rug is...

you've got to get mad at it.

If you can think of somebody you don't like, well, that helps too.

I don't think there's anybody I dislike that much.

Then you're never gonna be a very good rug-beater.

What's our next chore?

Let's get these in.

I decided to clean the whole house before they get back.

It's turned out to be more of a job than I meant.

Yeah, it must get kind of lonesome being here by yourself.

You got to do something, huh?Oh, I don't mind.

House is full of friends.Huh?

There. The books.

Oh. Sure.

That's, uh,

that's a nice-looking collection you've got there.

I'm reading this one now.

"David Copperfield."

Oh, yeah, he's... he's a good writer.

Here, lift the table a minute.

Oh, sure.

Come on, now, you get it under. That's it.

That's good.Hey, wait.

You know, I've wanted to do that ever since I met you.

I bet you haven't gone out very much.

With fellows, I mean.

Why?I don't know.

I was just thinking you haven't kissed very much, that's all.

What?I can tell.

It's sort of the way you hold your lips. Like you're new at it.

Oh.

And, um,

you're an old hand.

Well, naturally a man gets around a little bit more than a girl.

Kiley, I'll let you in on a secret.What's that?

You just don't know as much as you think you do.

Oh, now, that's what you think.

That's the way a girl kisses when she doesn't want to hurt a man's feelings.

It's friendly

but not encouraging.

Oh.

Well, maybe you're just afraid of a real kiss, huh?

I'm right, aren't I?

Hmm!

Hey!

I'd like to try that again.

Oh, no. That was just to show you.

Come on. Show me again. I wasn't ready.

That's what a girl does when she means "no."

Still think you know everything?

Kiley?

Kiley, where are you?

For pete's sake, he's had all day to shape up the corral,

and he ain't even started.No fresh hay either.

All right, boys, plug the drains and start filling the troughs.

Somebody start pitching hay.

You'd better find that kid and put the fear of God in him,

or I will!

♪ Dressed in white linen ♪

♪ And cold as the clay ♪

See?

♪ As I walked out Come on.Okay.

♪ As I walked out

♪ In the streets of Laredo ♪

♪ Do-do

♪ As I walked out

♪ In Laredo one day

♪ I spied a dear cowboy

♪ All dressed in white linen ♪

♪ Dressed in white linen and... ♪

♪ And cold as the clay Right!

That was good. Come on again.Okay.

♪ As I walked out

♪ In the streets of Laredo ♪

♪ As I walked out in Laredo one day ♪

♪ I spied a young cowboy-- Howdy.

Hi, Trampas.

How's it going?

What in the blazes do you think you're doing?

Churning butter.

Churning butter.

You had work to do down at the corral, remember?

Oh, yeah, I--Oh, yeah.

Well, you see, uh, Melissa had some chores

that she wanted me to help her with, and--

It's my fault, Trampas. I had him doing chores for me.

I don't want to get in the way.

Yes, ma'am.

Well, are you finished now?

Yeah, I guess so.

Then get down to the corral.

Kiley, I asked you if you had other work to do.

I wouldn't have missed being with you today for anything.

No, I mean it. I don't care what they do to me.

It was worth it.

Sure was.

Put it in deeper.What?

I said put it in deeper. They've got to be solid.

Three feet down.You mean, pull all of them up?

You'd better get with it. You've got a long ways to go.

And don't come in until you've got it done.

What? That'll take me till night!

Well, that's what we call ranching.

Or maybe you thought it was looking good in the saddle,

throwing calves, fast draws, snap shooting.

No, it's work, Kiley.

Yeah.

You know, you're getting to sound an awful lot like my pa.

[ harmonica plays ]Open. I'll, uh...

I'll open if you...

accept my six cards.

I had two pairs.

I had four.Pairs.

Well, well, His Nibs hisself.

Everybody up.

Why don't you shut up, huh?

If we'd known you was coming, we would've tidied up a bit.

We all thought you was staying up at the big house...

[ men chuckle ]with the other guest.

[ all laughing ]

Come on, deal it over.

Least you could do is close the door.

No, he can't do that.

What would be left for us servants to do?

Your little tyke's all plumb tuckered out, Trampas.

You get those posts done?

Yep.

Good. Put your horse in the corral?

Uh-huh.Hang up your saddle?

Yeah.

Put the tools away?

Kiley?

Look, what is this?

I want to know if you put the tools away.

No. They're out by the corral fence.

Then put 'em away.

Trampas, do you think somebody's gonna steal those tools?

Put 'em away.

Hey, what are you, in the army or something?

I haven't even had my dinner yet.

Say, why don't you go and ask Miss Melissa?

Maybe she'll cook you up some fudge.

Kiley!

All right, break it up! Break it up!

Break it up! I said break it up!

Get up!

You still want this job?

Yeah.Then you do as I said.

Now, you saw--Kiley.

You do as I said. Now, go on.

Don't look at me. You saw what he did. He jumped me.

A real bundle of joy, this kid.

Moran, you lay off him or you're gonna find me leaning on you.

All right, Trampas, let's finish the work.

What a crew, huh?

Help! Fire!

Fire!

Rondell, wake up!

[ excited chattering ]

Hot time in town tonight, huh?

Ooh-wee! Fried to the gills.

I've been thrown out of better places than this.

I-I don't know.

I was sitting there with the leather,

braiding,

and the next thing I knew, I was on fire,

being half beaten to death.

I guess I must've knocked over the lantern.

It's a good thing you came in, son.

I guess I owe you one.

I reckon that's the end of the trail for me, ain't it?

Well, I sure hate to say it, Charlie...

You don't have to.

I know.

Thanks, Miss Melissa.

I'm sure glad you were here.

I'm glad I could help.

I guess I'm kind of tired.

Kiley.

You saved his life.

Oh, you burned your hands! Let me see. I'd better put something on--

It's all right.

Look, I've got to go help in the barn.

So long, Harper.

Hey, don't you look so hangdog.

I'm the one that's getting fired, not you.

Gene.

Dick.

Take care.

Moran.

Trampas.

So long, pard.

And don't worry about me. I'm gonna get myself a job in town--

a sitting-down job.

You know, this ain't goodbye. I'm gonna see you all at the saloon.

I'll buy you a drink, Charlie.

Sure.

Well, son,

I ain't got much.

You can see I got everything I own.

Never was one for accumulating things.

Uh, I'd like to give you this here pocketknife.

Come right handy.

It's got a hooked blade.

Now, that's good for getting the stones out of the horses' hooves.

And all those other blades,

I always keep 'em real sharp.

Yeah.

Thanks, Charlie.

Well, here I go.

One of the hands could drive you into town in the rig, Charlie.

[ chuckles ]

Come on, get up!

Once I get up here, I'm all right.

Well, I'll see you in town.

Bye, Charlie.

Let's get to work, boys.

I'm sure gonna miss him, old Charlie.

Yeah, me too.

Always doing something for somebody.

He told me once his theory about life.

He said, "It's all hell in all directions.

No use me making it worse for anybody."

Yeah, that's him.

Hey, tighten up on the line, kid.

Hey, kid!

Um, sorry to interfere with all your great thoughts,

but would you please pay attention?

You thinking what I'm thinking?

What's that?

The foreman fired the wrong man.

Raggedy-boned and dead-drunk old Charlie

was worth more than His Nibs here on any job.

Don't you ever shut that flapping mouth of yours, Moran?

Why don't you just come on over here and try to shut it for me, huh?

Come on, come on.

All right, pull it.

A little more.

MORAN: Come on, come on, come on!

Push it! Can't you do that right either?

[ screams ]

Aah! Get it off me! Get it off!

Don't move! Just stand still, will you?

Get it off!

Oh, I'm all right. Just kind of sore here and there

and everywhere. [ groans ]

Guess I know how a pin cushion feels.

You were lucky.

I've seen men get half ripped in half that way.

It's a good thing it didn't wrap itself around your head.

Yeah.You take it easy for a few days.

Some of that ointment we use for saddle sores helps pretty good.

Helps the healing.All right.

Why didn't you tell 'em?

Tell 'em what?

"What"? How it happened.

The wire was flawed, Moran, that's all.

Now, what-- what are you protecting that dumb-head for anyway?

I'm not. It was flawed wire.

It could've happened if you had been stretching it.

Trampas, have you begun to notice that

wherever that kid Kiley is, there's trouble?

Well, that was... that was bad luck.

I know, I know, but that's not what I said.

I said wherever he is, there's trouble.

What do you mean? He's jinxed?

I just know that sooner or later, wherever that kid is, there's trouble.

Her rattling shrouds, all sheathed in ice,

and her mast went by the board.

Now, that's one place I don't need any trouble.

Hmm?Maybe I'd better have a talk with Kiley.

Oh, that's nothing to worry about. They're the same age.

That's just natural that they'd...

What do you suppose he's talking to her about,

waving his arms around like that?

I don't know.

KILEY: Daybreak, an oblique sea beach,

a fisherman stood aghast

to see the form of a fair young maiden lashed

close to a drifting mast.

The salt sea was frozen to her breast.

The salt tears were in her eyes.

And he saw her hair like the brown seaweed

on the billows' fall and rise.

Such... Such was the wreck of the Hesperus

in the midnight and the snow.

Christ, save us all from a death like this

on the Reef of Norman's Woe.

MELISSA: That was good! Really good!

I never noticed it before.What's that?

You've got a suspicious mind.

How on earth did you manage to memorize the whole thing?

Oh, I've known that poem for years.

You know,

I used to read a lot of poetry.

Always kind of liked it.

Oh, I love poetry.

You know, there's a poem by Lord...

Lord Byron that's better than

"Sheets" or "Kelley."

You mean "Keats or Shelley."

Yeah.

She walks in beauty like the night,

of cloudless climes and starry skies;

and all that's best of dark and bright

meets in her aspect and her eyes.

Melissa,

if I would've written that poem,

it would've been about you.

Oh, Kiley.

Kiley, Kiley.

You're...

such a funny one.

What do you mean?

Well,

sometimes you're so real

and-and good.

But sometimes you're full of lies.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean that the way it sounded. I...

Kiley, sit down. Please? Here.

I didn't mean "lies." I-I meant...

Well, sometimes you pretend things.

You know?

I mean, you're really very sweet

and nice and good.

But...

well, you don't think that's enough sometimes,

and you... make up things,

I suppose, to impress people.

It's not bad.

I'm not saying it's bad.

But it...

Well, it spoils what people think of you.

See?

Oh, I'm saying it all wrong.

No.

I wish I could tell you.

Melissa... I can't tell you.

Kiley?

Kiley?

Oh, I'm so stupid.

CHARLIE'S VOICE: It's a good thing you came in, son.

I guess I owe you one.

MELISSA'S VOICE: You saved his life.

ROY'S VOICE: I've had enough rotten luck in this world without having a rotten kid!

I won't let a son of mine be a punk.

I'll kill you before I let that happen.

How you doing, Harper?Not bad.

Can I get you anything?How about a whole new hide?

All I can say is,

I wish that wire would've gotten me instead of you.So do I.

Look, I wouldn't have cared if it would've cut you in half!

Hey, come on, you two, will you?

You're just aching for a mouth full of knuckles, ain't you, son?

Cut it out. Shut up, Moran.

No, he's too slack-jawed stupid to keep his mouth shut.

Hey! Look out!I'll shut your mouth anytime!

Hold it! I said hold it!

You two again, huh?

I'm getting pretty tired of this.

I sure am, I can tell you that.

If you two are so all-fired anxious to fight,

maybe you'd better just go on outside and do it.

That suits me.Oh, yeah, that's just fine.

Just a minute, boys.

Here's the way it is.

No matter what happens out there, that's the end of it.

If it ever starts up again, you're both finished here. Have you got that?

All right, bring some lanterns.

Look, keep your head.

Don't get mad. You hear me?

Now, look. We're gonna see to it that it's a fair fight.

Fight till one man says "stop," and only with your fists.

No kicking, no gouging, no choking, none of that stuff.

Just fists, all right?

[ excited chattering ]

Take your time, take your time.

Take your time. Stay down as long as you want.

Stay down. Stay down.

Now, keep... Will you...

It's all right.

It's all right. Just stay down. It's all right.

Stay down, will you?

All right. He's a game kid, I'll tell you that.

Give me a hand here, will you?

Why?I'm sorry, but...

better this way than with guns, and it would've come to that.

Sure have to give the kid credit. He's game.

I didn't think he'd ever quit.

I thought he'd fight till Moran was wore out.

I never seen anything like it in my life.

[ chokes ]Easy. Take it easy.

Well, it's all over now.

Yeah, till the next time.

Kiley,

there won't be any "next time."

Oh, Kiley! I'm so sorry!

It's not your fault.

He's a game kid.

About the gamest I ever saw.

Did you have to half-kill him to find that out?

[ men whooping, shouting ]

All right, boys. Payday.

Hey, payday! Anybody want some?

Moran, Gene, come on!

Smokey.

Kiley.

Harp, go ahead.

You riding into town, Kiley?

Yeah.

What do you say we all hang one on?

Uh, no. I got some other plans, Dick. I'm gonna get me a gun today.

I'll take you over to the store and make sure you get a good one.

No, thanks. I can get my own.

What's the matter?Oh, nothing.

I guess Kiley forgot he was going into town with me in the rig.

Oh. Well, he's, uh...

kind of kept to himself these last few days.

Not talking much to anyone.Yeah, I've noticed.

Will you keep me company?

Sure.

Them two's the best guns in the store, Kiley.

Yeah, I don't mind this job at all.

All I do is sit here and talk to people.

I guess I know about everybody in town.

Well, how's it feel?

Not bad. Feels good to have one back on again.

Yeah, I'll take this one and the holster.

That's 20 bucks, huh?

Thank you kindly. [ chuckles ]

I guess I got this lingo down pretty good, eh?

Yeah. Well...

Charlie, I...

Well, I'm glad to see that things are going good for you.

Oh, Trampas.

What'll we do?

There's a letter here too.For Kiley?

No, it's for me.

I wrote to Roy when Kiley first came.

Beer, I guess.

Let me buy you one, Kiley.

Yeah, thanks.

Hey, Kiley, bring it on over here.

The table kind of looks full.

We'll make room.

Moran, move over, will you?

Oh, yeah.

You don't want something stronger than beer.

Old Bart waters it down anyway.

That's a dang lie, and you know it!

The kind of whiskey you serve, Bart, it might be better for us

if you did water it down.

Ain't nobody forcing you to drink it.

Hey, Charlie, come on over and have one on us.

I, uh, I just come in for my sandwich.

Thanks anyway.

Why don't you boys come over to the store and spend some money there?

It'd make me look like a salesman.

There you go, Charlie.

Hey, Kiley, now that you've got a gun

and we're in a saloon, how about showing us that trick you were telling us about?

[ encouraging chatter ]

Yeah, with a beer mug.

Aw, that's just a kids' stunt.

Sounded like a lot of men couldn't do it.

Hey, Kiley.

MAN: You ever seen anything like that?

No, and I don't hope to again.

Now, figuring fast, that's one beer mug,

one bottle of whiskey, and a hole in the furniture.

And I'll take ten bucks for it, and I'll take it right now.

It's worth that.

[ scoffs ]

I'd give a week's pay to learn that trick.

[ coin rattles ]

Well, you know, once a year, I, uh...

I teach that trick for free.

This just happens to be that week.

Kiley?

Hey, Trampas. Come on over here.

No, you...

You come on over here. I want to talk to you.

Wonder what I did now, huh?

Hey, look, the damage is all paid for.

Bart, bring us a couple whiskeys, will you?

I don't drink whiskey.

Sit down.

What's the matter?

Kiley, you'll have to go home, back to Texas.

Well, why? I mean, how come?

Look, I've been doing better, haven't I? Even you said I was doing better.

No,

you've been doing just fine, just fine.

Well, it's something else.

It's your father.

Yeah, that's my pa. He...

I never thought about him dying.

There's this letter too.

That's his handwriting.

Go on, read it.

ROY'S VOICE: My old friend,

I'm sure grateful to you for letting me know about Kiley.

I guess he was right to leave here.

It's not much being around me these days.

I've been pretty sick for some time,

and it makes me mad.

I'm not used to being sick, I guess.

You know, I've been to a lot of tough places

and I've been in a lot of hard situations

in my life,

but I'm here to say one of the hardest things I ever tried

is raising a kid.

A man gets pretty high hopes for his son.

And you try to tell him about right and wrong--

You especially don't want him doing all the dumb things you did.

You see, Trampas,

that boy means everything to me.

He's all I got to show for living.

Maybe you can let him know that when he gets over being mad.

I'll keep my hands off now, 'cause...

that's what he wants.

And you can tell him when he's ready,

he's got this place to come back to.

It's all free and clear and belonging to him.

And he's got a father's love.

Well, I'll sign off now, old friend,

and maybe you can sneak another letter sometime

and tell me how he's doing.

Sorry to see you go, son.

Yeah.

Good luck.

You know, you shouldn't have been fired from Shiloh.

I started that fire. I knocked over a lantern.

It just happened all so quick.

When they put the blame on you, well, I let them.

I'm sorry.

I had to tell you.

Sure.

I knew you would.

You knew?

The lantern was too far away from me.

Well, why didn't you say?

Now, you see, son, uh,

a man has got to keep his self-respect.

No matter how much he loses, he's got to keep his pride.

It was better for me to get fired

than get retired.

Made it easier for the Virginian,

easier for me,

gave you another chance.

Yeah.

You know, Charlie, I...

You know...Kiley, there's...

[ chuckles ] Go ahead.

I just wanted to say that you were right the other day

when you were talking about my pretending and my lying.

I shouldn't have said that.Yeah, you should've.

You know, even about the poetry.

I didn't know anything about poetry.

I took a book out of the house and memorized everything

to impress you.

I'm really something.

I think you are.

Here's your horse, Kiley.

I'll send you that money I owe you as soon as I get home, Trampas.

Anytime.

Thanks for everything.

I owe you an awful lot. You've really helped me out.

Well, good luck.

Bye, Melissa.

Goodbye, Kiley.

Goodbye.

[ theme music playing ]