Original subtitles

[theme music]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

[intense music]

[gunshot]

Up.

Tell me what this is all about?

That'll be a waste of time now, wouldn't it?

Come on, get movin'.

At least tell me where we're goin'.

I can do that.

We're take ya in to see Judge Hobbs.

Hobbs?

You mean to tell me, you haven't heard of the hangin' judge?

Why, bushwalker, you've got a real treat in store for you.

Now, grab your gear and get movin'!

[instrumental music]

You, men, get the horses.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[indistinct chatter]

Order! Order!

Order in the court! Now hush up!

I'll use the other end of this gat.

That's the last drink of whiskey that'll be served,

while this court's in session.

Sooner we get this trial over, sooner you can all have a drink.

Now, bring the prisoner up here where I can see him.

Well.

You don't look like much to me. I expected you to be older.

You were expecting somebody else. I'm not the man, who--

You can keep it shut I don't allow

no backtalk in my court.

Especially from a low-down, dried gulchin' bushwhacker.

I'm just tryin' to tell you who I am.

I know who you are, mister.

And I know what you are

and I don't like it one little bit.

I'm the foreman of Shiloh Ranch.

And I am the king of Russia. Howdy do?

It's near Medicine Bow.

Col. Alan Mackenzie is the owner.

Never heard of him.

Well, send him a telegram.

Why would I do a fool thing like that?

For proof that I'm telling you the truth.

I got all the proof I need, mister.

And it tells me that you are a tinplated liar.

Rem Garvey. Come up here, boy.

Now, Rem...

Have you seen that man before?

Take a good look. I don't want no mistake.

Yeah. Yeah, I've seen him.

Will you please identify

the prisoner for this here court?

- He's Boss Cooper. - Well, that's crazy.

- You calling my brother a liar? - Your brother?

Dee: That's right.

Listen to me. I'm the foreman of Shiloh Ranch.

I can prove it if you give me a chance.

I don't see how when we just proved contrary-wise.

Now, let the record show, that the prisoner

is the notorious hired gun fighter...

Boss Cooper.

[indistinct chatter]

I told you to shut up!

Dee.

You've been out in the world.

You tell us what do you know about Boss Cooper.

Well, I know he hires out to cattlemen.

They pay him to get rid of rustlers.

Get rid of 'em? How?

Hmm. By layin' weight,

shootin' 'em down.

In the back?

Dee: Any way at all.

He ain't particular.

You heard that, Rem?

Uh, did you ever know him to, uh...

gun down anybody who was not a rustler?

Once.

I reckon he made a mistake.

I reckon he did.

Him shootin' people without askin' any questions

or givin' any warnin'.

He likely made lotsa mistakes.

And they're all six feet under the ground.

- Right, Cooper? - I'm not Cooper!

Hmm. Rem.

When did you see him make this particular mistake?

When did you see Boss Cooper before?

The night he murdered our pa.

[all clamoring]

He's wrong.

Did you see him clear?

Real clear.

He rode right past our house.

Where was that? And when?

You know where it is.

Eight miles north of town and you know when.

Last Tuesday night.

Well, it couldn't have been me.

I was a 100 miles away in the other direction.

More of that and I'll shove this down your throat.

Now, Rem.

Anybody else see him pass the house?

Yeah, ma.

I said, "Ma. Come here, look."

"Yonder is Boss Cooper."

How did you happen to know who he was?

Well, I've seen him once before in Fargo.

That's how I knew him.

And I knew he was fixin' to kill.

So I followed outside

and then I've seen him kill my pa.

He shot him down in cold blood.

He never had a chance to open his mouth.

He shot him just like an animal!

Hobbs, check with Col. Mackenzie.

He'll tell you I wasn't here. I couldn't have done it.

[all clamoring]

Quiet!

This court ain't in the habit

of listenin' to killers.

This isn't a court. It's a lynching bee.

And you're not a judge, you're a hangman.

As a matter of fact, I am both.

Now...

after hearin' all the evidence against the accused...

I find him guilty as sin.

And I sentence him to hang by the neck until death.

Dee, take him out.

You're gonna hang me now?

"No time like the present," as the fella said.

Come on, killer.

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chatter]

Well... tell your ma

she can sleep nights again.

Your pa's killer

will be swingin' high with both boots off the ground.

Ever see a man hang before?

No.

I understand.

Help yourself.

It's on the house.

[instrumental music]

Little elbow room here, fellas.

Alright, Dee. Do the honors.

I do a real professional job, Cooper.

That way I can...

see the sentence carried out right till the end.

Just enough slack.

Ah! Just enough slack.

Too much

and you hit the ground, bust both your legs.

Too little, you...

spring up like a jack in the box

and crack your skull on the beam.

Now, "Anything worth doin' at all

is worth doin' right," as the fella says.

Charlie...

let go of the reins.

Stand clear.

This here fine spirited animal

is just about to loose his rider.

W-- w-- wait just a minute.

In a real, professional hanging...

a man gets a chance to say his last words.

Well, now.

That is a fact.

It would be, uh, cruel and heartless

to the deprive a man of his right

to make peace with the world.

Alright. Say what you gotta say, but make it short.

It ain't good for me stayin' out here in this hot sun too long.

Well, I can't talk to a man, I can't see.

Or are you afraid to look a man in the face who's about to hang?

Uh, it'll take more than that to put fear in me.

Well, now we're face to face, say what you got to say.

Just that there's no hard feelings.

Well, there's no reason why there should be.

He had a fair trial--

Anybody tries anything and we'll hang together.

Uh. H-- hold the horse. Hold the horse, Charlie.

- Now, take my gun, judge. - Yeah.

Stay right there.

Alright. Tell him to cut me loose.

Cut him loose. Cut him loose, Dee.

You want a hole in your head, judge?

You think I'm going to let you get away alive?

Stop asking foolish questions. Cut him loose.

Do what he says. Cut him loose, Dee.

[instrumental music]

Now, now, what?

- Start walking. - Where?

Up the street!

[instrumental music]

[gunshot]

Get him! Go get him!

Get him! Bring him back here!

[intense music]

[horse galloping]

Is that you Rem?

- Mrs. Garvey? - Yes.

I want you to take a good look at me. Please.

Do you know me?

- Do you know who I am? - Yes.

Yes.

You're Boss Cooper.

You're the man who killed my husband.

You see me. You look straight at me.

And you still say I'm the man who killed your husband.

I say it because it's so.

They told you, didn't they?

Your sons told you what happened in town.

Yeah.

Then it's not because you recognize me.

You don't know my face.

I know what you are and that's enough.

Virginian: You're wrong.

You're all wrong.

They nearly hung me on Rem's word.

I got away and doubled back.

- I hid out till dark. - You should've kept on going.

My sons'd kill you quick enough.

They're not home.

He's heading the posse and I just saw Rem ride out of here.

What do you want in this house?

To talk to you.

Nothin' I can tell you that you don't already know.

I want to hear you say it.

Rem saw a man on a horse.

He called you and pointed him out.

What did he say?

He said...

"Yonder goes Boss Cooper."

Alright. You looked.

- What did you see? - A man.

Virginian: Well, what did he look like?

Was he dark or was he fair?

Did he have a mustache or chin whiskers?

What sort of a man?

My eyes aren't what they used to be.

Then you didn't see him. Good.

He was a ways off.

But Rem saw him. Rem knew him.

Him. Not me.

Are you saying that you're not Boss Cooper?

You look at me again and you tell me.

Swear to it as Rem swore in Hobbs' saloon.

Would you like some coffee?

Yes, I would.

Sit.

- How do you like it? - Virginian: Black.

[instrumental music]

- Emma: You sound tired. - I am.

Emma: Better put your hands on the table, Mr. Cooper.

Both of 'em.

Flat.

You hold that as if you know how to use it.

I killed many a snake

and coyotes and wolves.

There's no reason in God's green earth why I shouldn't kill you.

You ever killed a man?

There's always a first time.

I never lost a husband before either.

I'm sorry, he's dead.

You're sorry!

But I didn't do it.

Would I be sitting here at your kitchen table?

Would I be here now if I'd killed your husband?

Where's the sense in that?

Where's the sense in his bein' dead?

Mrs. Garvey, I came back because I wanted to get at the truth.

Stay!

Or you'll die here and I mean it!

I believe you.

But I've got to make you believe me.

They call me Boss Cooper and I'm not.

They say I killed your husband and I didn't.

But maybe Cooper did.

I've got to find him and you've got to help me.

- Help you? - And yourself.

Because you're not sure anymore, are you?

If you were, you would've killed me long before this.

When Rem pointed Cooper out to you,

which way was he riding from?

What direction?

Alright.

- I'll try them all. - What for?

Maybe somebody saw him and recognized him.

Maybe they can tell me where he came from.

You're a wanted man!

You had your trial.

Is that what it was?

Judge Hobbs.

He isn't a good man.

He isn't a good judge either.

Now, wait!

I don't know, if you're him or not.

I wish I'd seen with Rem's eyes.

Cooper...

Cooper come from the west.

Through the mountains.

The only pass would've brought him through Hellerton.

I'll have to tell him where you're goin'.

I'll just have to.

If you can, give me some time.

[instrumental music]

[horse galloping]

Dee: He must be somewheres up in the hills.

Then we couldn't pick up his trail in the dark.

Why didn't the posse wait till sun-up, try again.

Well, the way we were crisscrossing goin' after him,

we rolled over his tracks.

And we couldn't find it now.

He ain't givin' up.

He killed our pa.

There's a lot of country out there, boy.

Now, where would you start to look?

We found him once before.

Yeah, well, that was dumb luck.

And luck is somethin' I don't count on.

[grunts] I'm just about starved to death.

Ma, it's gonna be great eating your cookin' again.

Ah.

Will you be stayin' to eat?

Why I like to, ma, but you know I got a job and all.

We need you here, Dee.

I can't run things by myself.

With pa dead, it's gonna be awful hard.

He wasn't much help around here when he was alive, was he?

I won't listen to that kind of talk.

Oh, I'm sorry, ma, but you know

him and me never saw eye to eye.

Couldn't even live under the same roof.

You don't have to remind me of that.

Where were you all night?

- In town. - Emma: Where in town?

I was waiting for the posse to get back.

In Hobb's saloon?

Now, ma, little brother's old enough to drink.

I don't like it.

That's right. You better look out, Rem.

One drinkin' man in the family is enough.

It's alright, ma. It's alright.

What I meant was...

I don't like to be left alone.

I had a visitor last night.

A visitor?

He was here?

In this house, he was here?

Rem: What he want, ma?

- Did he hurt you, ma? - No.

- If he put a hand on you-- - I said, no.

Did he come gunnin' for me, ma? Is that it?

I don't know what he wanted.

What are you holdin' back, ma?

What did he say to you?

Did he tell you where he was goin'?

Where was he goin', ma?

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

What'll you have?

Some information.

What'll you have with it?

Whiskey.

Works here. Her name is Myra.

Is Myra working now?

Depends.

I'd like to buy her a drink.

Yes, she's workin'.

From the gentlemen at the bar.

Aren't you gonna thank him?

- Thanks. - You're welcome.

She always that friendly?

Myra? Heh.

You should see her on Saturday night.

You wouldn't believe it's the same gal.

Well, I won't be here that long.

How about that information?

I'll do what I can.

I'm looking for a friend of mine he passed through here recently.

He might've stopped for a drink.

I might know him, what's your friend's name?

Cooper. Boss Cooper.

Was that yes or no?

Look, mister. I don't want no trouble.

With Cooper?

With-- with nobody.

Look, I don't know who you are and I don't want to know.

But you do know Boss Cooper.

Sure, who don't? I, I mean, I've heard of him.

He's got more notches on his gun

than a saw has teeth.

You know Cooper when you see him?

No, I don't. I, I don't know from Adam.

I just heard about him, that's all.

Was he in here the other day?

Boss Cooper?

Why would he come in to an old flyspeck saloon like this?

It's the only saloon in town.

Yeah. Well, he wasn't in here and that's for sure.

If you don't know Cooper when you see him,

how do you know he wasn't in here?

Uh, look, mister.

The man you wanna talk to is the sheriff.

Now, he'd know if Cooper comes through town.

The-- there's nothin' happens in this town he don't know about.

Where is he?

Well, it's, uh, it's dinner time. He's in his office.

Name's, uh, Wintle.

That's the man you wanna talk to.

[instrumental music]

- Sheriff. - Lunchtime.

Office is closed.

I don't see any sign.

Don't need any.

Everybody in town knows I close up at noon.

Seems like it'd be a good time to rob the bank.

- You ain't a bank robber? - No.

- Gambler? - No.

- Drummer. - Wrong again.

That's all this town needs.

Another saddleman.

I'm a just a man looking for some answers.

Well, you'll have to wait.

I'm havin' my dinner.

Virginian: Don't let me interrupt you.

I ain't about to.

I don't like folks watching me while I'm eatin'.

It takes all the joy out of it.

It's not much fun for me, either.

Now, if you'll just tell me what I want to know

I'll be on my way.

I can see you're bound and determined to ruin my meal!

Now, what is it? What do you wanna know?

Has Boss Cooper been through this town lately?

Well...

if that don't beat all.

Boss Cooper, huh?

Man comes to sheriff lookin' for Boss Cooper.

Was he here?

Well...

I can't rightly say, I, uh, don't know him personally.

Sheriff, you're wastin' my time and I ain't got time to waste.

Is this what you're lookin' at?

Well...

there was a time when I-- when I would've made a try for it.

But that's gravy over the yams.

Was Cooper here?

Well, I, uh... I heard Telly was.

Twice. Goin' to and comin' from.

To and from what?

Job, I reckon.

But why do you wanna find him?

- Hire that gun of his? - No.

Appears to me, I'm lookin' at a man

that's in some kind of trouble.

I've got to find Boss Cooper.

I don't know what that trouble is,

but I'm likely to hear it.

I'm not so fast anymore.

Too many meals under my belt.

It might be better for the both of us

if you were long gone when the news gets out.

- I'm not stayin'. - Wintle: That's good.

But I've got to know which way to go.

Well... it would be a help, wouldn't it?

I didn't see myself.

I, uh, I try not to see, uh, his kind.

Easier that way.

But if he-- if he was in town

just for a little while.

Likely he'd stop by to see a lady he used to know.

What lady?

Dear little thing. Myra.

Myra Greencastle.

Works at the saloon.

- Maybe you saw her. - Yeah, I saw her.

Thanks.

Oh.

Just one more thing.

Make it short.

I'd hate to find out somethin' bad about you

and have to come and get you.

You know what I mean?

Yeah.

[instrumental music]

- Any luck? - That depends.

On what?

On whether you're gonna get out of my way.

Look, uh, mister. Like I said I don't want any trouble.

You could've saved me some by telling me about Myra.

Oh, the sheriff told you about that, huh?

Well, then, I, I guess it's alright.

I just had to make sure, you know,

it's better to be safe than sorry.

I've known men who were both.

[instrumental music]

Didn't your mother ever teach you how to knock?

If you don't mind I'm in a draft, close the door.

I meant from the other side, mister.

You're a little early for the show.

Doesn't start until 9 o'clock tonight.

Get out.

Here, put this on

and we'll talk.

I've got nothin' to say to you.

- Go away. - Hurry up.

Honey, I'm a little bit tired.

Why don't you just go away and come back later?

I'll give you ten seconds to get out of there

or I'll pull the plug myself.

What if I scream my head off?

Try it.

Now, get out of the water.

[splattering]

You sure did go to a lot of trouble

for a little conversation.

[sighs]

Talk to me downstairs for the price of a drink.

I paid the price.

You ready to talk?

- About what? - Boss Cooper.

I wanna know where to find him.

Why?

I wanna talk to him about a man he killed

named Niles Garvey.

You see, they say, I'm Boss Cooper.

And they say I killed Garvey.

You ready to tell me?

Are you ready to die?

[dramatic music]

[horse galloping]

Myra: Boss Cooper is holed up on the edge of town.

[horse galloping]

It's an old shack with yellow oil paper in the windows

and barrels in the yard.

He was up all night so he'll be sleepin' today.

He's a light sleeper so you better walk soft.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[glass shattering]

[gunshots]

Ah.

Ah. Ah!

Don't shoot. Please, don't shoot.

You tried to kill me.

Well, on account of my saloon.

You're looking for Boss Cooper. What if you find him?

He's gonna kill you

and, and then he's gonna go looking for Myra.

He'll either shoot up my place or burn it out.

Look... mister. My, my saloon ain't much but it's all I got.

Well, well, a man's got a right to protect his own property.

- That's... - Huh!

You sent me to be killed.

- It was Dun's idea. - But you sent me and I'm back.

- I couldn't help it. - Why?

Because you love your job so much?

Boss Cooper...

Dun said you were gunning for him.

He said you were gonna shoot him.

Well, he lied to you and you lied to me.

I love Boss.

I couldn't let you kill him.

I'm sorry.

So am I.

Tell me all about him.

[horse galloping]

He used to come see me five... six times a week.

When he wasn't away on a job.

Gave the ol' biddies in town somethin' to talk about.

They used to hide behind their hands and whisper,

"There goes Boss Cooper's woman."

I wanna tell you, mister, that didn't bother me one bit.

[horse galloping]

[sighs] I never did amount to much.

Guess you can see that yourself.

Room over a saloon.

All that goes with it.

There was a time when I was Boss Cooper's woman.

Lordy, what a time that was.

[birds chirping]

Then, suddenly... he just stopped comin' around.

Well, I figured it was somebody else,

another woman with a room over a saloon.

But I was wrong.

How can you love someone so much

and be so wrong about him?

You hear me, sheriff, he killed our pa.

And he was found guilty.

Guilty in a court of law!

Well... somehow Judge Hobbs' saloon

ain't my idea of a court of law.

Well, I saw him shoot my pa. I saw him!

You didn't telegraph any particulars.

There wasn't any time. We come after him ourselves.

Hobbs don't know?

Didn't we've been tellin' you that?

Now, stop feeding your face and listen to me.

Woah, there. Now, hold on!

Three strangers in town.

Now, two of 'em, claim the other ones wanted for murder.

- How am I to know for sure? - Because we're tellin' ya!

Well, then, I just better telegraph Hobbs

and check up on him!

And he'll be long gone

before you get an answer.

Now, look, he's already cheated the hangman once.

We can't let him get away again.

And how do you propose I stop him?

With this.

If he tries to leave town,

you shoot him.

He's a gunman, sheriff.

So you better shoot to kill.

He came to see you the other night.

What did he say to you?

If I tell you I'll be telling you everything.

That's what I want.

I still love him.

And I'm still going after him.

Now, listen.

I've been sheriff of this town.

Since before you were born.

Now, what's that got to do with it?

Well, bein' in one job that long.

I've learned to be careful.

You afraid of him?

No.

I'm afraid of makin' a mistake.

Now, let's don't rush things, boys.

[instrumental music]

Well, you'll be makin' a mistake

if you don't get out of the way of that door.

Now, listen, son, I just--

I ain't your son, mister!

And we're after the man that murdered our pa.

Now, you're going to tell us where he went.

And you're gonna get out of the way.

Or we're gonna walk over you on the way out.

Now, what's it gonna be?

Above the saloon, Myra's room.

Let's get him.

Let's go.

[music continues]

[sighs]

He came by to say goodbye.

He said he was married.

Can you imagine that?

Boss Cooper married to some

nice wholesome, little country gal.

Never had to work in a saloon.

Never had to wake up to the smell

of bad whiskey in her room.

Nice little ol' country gal and Boss Cooper.

He even bought her a ranch.

Where is it, Myra?

Near Alsada, in little Missour.

Thanks.

You better kill him or he'll kill you.

I'll try not to let that happen.

He will.

I know I'm sending you to your death again.

[dramatic music]

I'll stop through on my way back

and show you I'm still alive.

Cooper, this is Dee Garvey.

Come out with your hands up.

The window.

[glass shatters]

[music continue]

[gunshots fired]

We gotta go after him.

The horses would never make it.

Yeah, but we can't let him get away.

Dee Garvey: Look at her.

She knows where he's goin'.

She's gonna tell us.

Ain't that right, honey?

[dramatic music]

Hey?

How can we be sure we're going in the right direction?

And how do we know that

that girl was even tellin' the truth?

By the way the tears ran straight down her cheeks.

Takes a lot to make a saloon gal cry.

They save their tears for weddings and funerals.

Nobody's gettin' married I know of.

Well, you sure place a lot of faith in a two-bit saloon girl.

Little brother,

you've got a lot to learn about a woman.

[music continues]

[crickets chirping]

Well, a few minutes more ought to do it.

Wonder why we stopped.

I'm ready to ride all night.

Maybe you are, but the horses ain't.

Supper smells good, don't it?

A can of beans would've been enough for me.

Hey, did you see the way I shot this bunny, John?

One shot, dead center, right between the ears.

On the run, too.

You certainly had enough practice at home.

Shootin' all those whiskey bottles off the corral fence.

[crickets chirping]

Yeah, Pa kept me supplied in bottles.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Who is it?

Oh, for goodness sakes,

you gave me a start.

I thought there was a bear comin' after me.

I'm sorry, ma'am.

Female #1: Well, you needn't be.

You can't help what I thought.

Well, we happen to know a she bear

that keeps coming around,

checking to see what's cookin' on my stove.

Of course, there ain't nothing boiling there now

but my wash water.

Are you looking for someone or did you lose your way?

We don't get much company.

I-- is your man around?

You lookin' for Daniel?

- Daniel? - Daniel Cooper.

- My husband. - Yeah.

He's the man I came to see.

Well, he's out lookin' for that old she bear

that I was tellin' you about.

But I don't think he'll find it.

Female #1: Oh, she's real careful.

I just bet she's got a pair of cubs up in the hills somewhere.

[birds chirping]

I don't know why I'm making you stand out here

looking at my wash.

Come on inside and wait for him.

Thanks, I will.

[chickens clucking]

This was no cook fire.

Likely he didn't stop for a game.

He's traveling light.

Not even a can of beans.

Meaning what?

Meaning he's hungry.

But he don't wanna stop and take the time to eat.

How far ahead of us you figure he is?

Well, I'd say Boss Cooper's about where he's going.

Maybe even sittin' back with a sigh of relief,

thinkin' he's home, safe and sound.

[birds chirping]

What's the matter?

I was just thinkin'.

If he was that close to home

why did he stop here and camp for the night?

I have to warm it up

so I took it off the fire

so it wouldn't boil away.

Daniel always likes a cup of coffee when he comes home.

Oh, uh, I know it isn't much.

Especially, after the barn burned down.

But Daniel's planning to build a new place.

Oh, he's gonna put up the grandest little house

you ever did see.

I want my kitchen to be as big as this whole cabin.

Sit down, I'll fetch you somethin' to eat.

I got a ham in the stove.

Daniel brought it back the last time

he had to take one of his trips.

Does he, uh, travel a lot?

Well, not as often as he used to.

Well, he's got the ranch now and me.

Oh, sit, please.

Thank you.

Coffee will do just fine.

Are you sure?

Well, we got plenty of food.

Daniel's always bringing back a load every trip.

Stockin' up, he calls it.

Does he always leave you alone when he goes off that way?

Oh, I don't mind it too much.

I got my vegetable patch to look after...

and my chickens [chuckles]

In a few months, I'm gonna have something else to look after.

Oh, I won't be lonesome anymore.

Anyway, it's only gonna be for a little while.

Daniel's given up selling harnesses.

- Harnesses? - Well, that's his business.

He goes around sellin' harnesses to various ranches.

Oh, he's always telling me

about the places he's been and the people he's met.

It almost makes me feel like

I've been with him.

I believe that's the first time I ever heard about

a rancher who sold harnesses on the side.

Well, you see, that's what he was doin' when I met him.

But he decided to give it up after we got married.

It was too much for him,

now that the baby's comin' and all.

Well, I guess, the truth is

he likes ranchin' better.

Sometimes, he comes home after one of his trips

and he's so wore out that he can't sleep nights.

He has terrible nightmares.

Oh, it's just awful to see him crying in his sleep.

Not being able to help him.

Oh, here I am goin' on and on.

And you just this minute walked through the door.

Oh, you can tell, I'm not used to having company.

You're the first one we ever had.

Oh, now, don't let me drive you away with my chitter-chatter.

You won't run-off?

I'm not going anywhere until I talk to your husband.

Oh, well, I just know he's gonna be

real glad to see you.

Oh, it'll be a real nice surprise for him

to just walk in here and find ya.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

There. I know that's good and hot.

Are you sure you don't want

a slice of ham and three, four fried eggs?

Be no trouble at all.

No. No, thanks.

This will be fine.

Is it, uh, profitable? The harness business?

Oh, well, that's the funny thing.

He puts it all in a bank somewheres

and I don't know how much it all amounts to.

I don't suppose it could be too much.

How much does a harness cost?

Depends.

Well, anyhow, I'm gonna have him home

with me a lot more from now on.

That'll be real nice.

You might even get to know him.

Daniel? Oh.

I know him now.

He is the sweetest, kindest man

that ever drew breath.

Oh, I just love him to pieces.

He used to laugh at my way of doin' things.

The way I talked.

You see, he wasn't used to having a woman around.

He said it pleasured him just to watch me.

Daniel.

I see we got company.

- Howdy. - Howdy.

Bet you're real surprised to see a visitor.

I figured somebody would turn up sooner or later.

Oh, here, let me take this.

Now, you two just sit down and forget I'm here.

Better let him do the talkin', Daniel.

It's been such a pleasure havin' company

I just about wore out both his ears.

- Didn't he say anything? - Not much.

Oh, I didn't give him a chance.

- I'll get you coffee. - Later.

Nellie, I'm afraid that old clothesline

wasn't as strong as it looked.

It broke in two and dropped all your clean clothes in the dirt.

My wash?

Oh, no.

Nellie: Excuse me, I'll be right back.

[dramatic music]

- Daniel Cooper? - That's my name.

Boss Cooper.

That's what they call me.

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

I always heard that Boss Cooper was a back shooter.

You heard wrong.

Your gun. Butt first.

With your left hand.

Who sent you after me?

Nobody.

I find that very hard to believe.

Daniel: To hire a gunman to wait for you in your own house

for you to get the drop on him?

Maybe you're dull-witted...

or just a mite slower than you thought.

Maybe I just wanted to talk to you.

- About what? - Male #1: Niles Garvey.

What about him?

I want to know why you killed him.

- You related to him? - No.

- Friend? - Never met the man.

What makes you think I killed him?

Did you?

Yes.

That's just about all I'll say about that.

Male #1: She doesn't know about you?

Not unless you told her.

Male #1: No.

Then I'll thank you for that.

And I'll kill you for coming here.

How will you explain that to her?

I won't do it in the house but don't try me.

Here.

Daniel: Put it back and don't try to load it.

[chuckles]

I thought maybe you missed one.

- Now, what? - Now, we have a nice visit.

Till I say it's time to go.

Daniel? Open the door!

I had to do the whole wash over, it's purely aggravating.

- Let me help you with that. - Oh, well, thank you.

Daniel, I think your friend is very nice.

I sure wish more folks would drop by and visit us, don't you?

Yes, Nellie, that would be a blessing.

I worry...

there'll be others along after I'm gone.

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

Would you care for another slice of ham?

Uh, no, thanks.

This is a fine supper, Mrs. Cooper.

Well, it was just my regular wash day meal.

- But I'm glad you liked it. - Well, you're a fine cook.

- You're a lucky man, Daniel. - You're right about that.

I mean, now, for goodness sake.

I hope you saved room for some cherry cobbler.

I don't think we'll have time for that, Nel,

it'll be dark soon.

- You going someplace? - I'll be right back.

I promised my friend here I'd show him

where I'm going to build the new house

before he rides on back to town.

Well, do you have to leave so soon?

I have no choice.

He's got some business in town that just won't wait.

Oh, I declare, I don't think much of a business

that keeps a man from havin' a real visit with his friends.

You ought to be thinkin' about gettin' out of it

the way my Daniel did.

I'd like to get out of it but I don't see how I can.

You ready?

It was a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Cooper.

Well, you be sure to come back and visit us again.

I'll try.

Daniel, you're sure you're not going to be too long?

No, it won't be long at all.

[dramatic music]

Your wife's a fine woman.

- You don't deserve her. - Maybe not.

I'll take that now.

What was that she said about you're goin' out of business?

True.

I've done enough.

The killing I did was necessary. Rustlers, outlaws.

The one's the law can't touch.

Somebody had to take care of them.

But not me, not anymore.

Why?

Daniel: Getting married changed my thinking

about a lot of things.

I'm sick to death of killing.

You're the last.

Somehow, that's not much comfort.

How far are we going?

Far enough so she can't hear the shot.

It's like I said,

that's where I'm going to build the new house.

Well, there it is, just like the girl said.

Rem: Yeah, but she didn't say anything about a woman.

Bother you to know that Boss Cooper is married?

No.

Ain't gonna make it any easier goin' in after him.

- She might get hurt. - She might?

- Come on. - Rem: No.

Wait, we-- we ought to lay low.

See who comes out.

You feelin' shaky, little brother?

No.

But if we ride straight in there,

Cooper could kill both of us.

Dee: He could, if he was there.

What makes you think he isn't?

Well, I ain't seen a woman yet

that put up a clothesline by herself if her husband was home.

- I don't know. - You don't know what?

Why we came this far?

'Cause Boss Cooper made our ma a widow.

And we're gonna return the favor aren't we, little brother?

- Sure. - Well, then.

[dramatic music]

When did you decide to give it up?

After you killed Niles Garvey?

He was drunk.

I never shot a drunk before.

And he wasn't wearing a gun.

I didn't know that till after he was dead.

You could've talked to him.

I never had much to say to rustlers.

He was no rustler.

Don't tell me that, I know different.

I was paid to do a job on a rustler.

- Daniel: And I did it. - Nobody's paying ya to kill me.

That's right, you bought this for yourself.

Coming here, bringing that other life with you.

I worked too hard keeping Nellie away from all of it.

That's reason enough to kill you, friend.

[dramatic music]

[gunshot fired]

[gunshot fired]

Come on out, you haven't got a gun!

Daniel: You can't fight me!

Male #1: Niles Garvey, couldn't fight you either.

[gunshots fired]

Male #1: You missed, Cooper.

You're here and I'll find you, it's just a matter of time.

Male #1: I've got time.

Male #1: No pretty little wife waiting for me.

Just keep talking friend, you make it easier.

Male #1: Who paid you to kill Niles Garvey?

Male #1: Hear me, Cooper?

What difference does it make?

Male #1: I came a long way to find out.

Male #1: I'd like to know before I die.

A man named Jenkins.

Male #1: Never heard of him.

[gunshot fired]

Male #1: You missed again, Cooper!

Come on out, let's get it over with!

Male #1: No use trying to reason with you.

Male #1: You're as mule-headed as Judge Hobbs.

Male #1: He had a rope around my neck

'cause he wouldn't listen to reason.

Hobbs tried to hang you?

Male #1: Yeah, for killin' Niles Garvey.

Male #1: He thought I was you.

[dramatic music]

Now, you listen to me. Get up!

[music continues]

Dee: Drop it, Cooper!

I said, drop it!

[gunshot fires]

You better do what he says, Cooper.

Dee: I told you I wouldn't let you get away alive.

Garvey, you listen to me.

You've been tracking me and I've been trackin' him.

Well, I finally caught up with him.

Male #1: That's Boss Cooper.

- He ain't Cooper, you are. - You're a liar.

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

- You. What's your name? - Franklin.

- George Franklin. - Why do you and him tangle?

I'm a bounty hunter.

I got on to Cooper's trail.

Dee: Leave it!

I heard he was wanted for murder. I was taking him in.

Daniel: He got the jump on me.

He would've killed me if you boys hadn't come along.

That's the way it looked.

I don't care how it looked, he's Cooper.

You're sure, little brother?

You're sure that this is the man who killed pa?

Rem: I'm sure.

Killed who?

That's right, Cooper.

These are Niles Garvey's sons. You ever meet them before?

No.

Never had the pleasure.

- Get the rope. Tie him up. - What for?

Dee: So we can take him back to hang.

Rem: Let's kill him now, get it over with.

It works out real nice doesn't it Cooper?

You hang up your guns

with nobody coming around to bother you.

Boss Cooper's dead and buried.

You shut up.

You boys have to further need of me.

I'd like to be on my way.

Just a minute.

This isn't over yet.

Garvey...

I say, he's Cooper, he says he's not.

Male #1: There's one sure way to find out.

How's that?

Cooper lives with his wife

in a cabin a few miles back.

Yeah, we met her.

Rem: She told us where to find you.

Take us back to the cabin.

Let her tell us which one of us is her husband.

Which one of us is the famous gunman Boss Cooper.

We already know you're Cooper. He's stallin' for time, Dee.

Uh, Cooper's wife doesn't know what he does for a living.

Well, I'd sure like to know what this is all about.

Alright. Let's go back to the cabin.

Is that how you want it, Cooper?

[dramatic music]

Male #1: Is that how you'd like her to find out?

Your brother's lying.

- I'm Boss Cooper. - Rem: It's a trick.

They're in it together.

He told me his name was Jenkins.

He said he owned a big cattle ranch

and some fellow was stealing his stock.

He told me to ride past the house

he'd catch up and point him out.

- Rem: It ain't so, Dee. - Go on.

He paid me for it, cash money.

Daniel: A $100 to kill a rustler.

That's what I thought I was doing.

What he told me I was doing when he took me to your pa.

You done that?

[music continues]

You know how pa was?

Mean, drunk all the time.

It was even worse after you left.

Rem: He's always pickin' on me.

He never gave me any money of my own.

Well, I found out he had $500 stashed away.

From that herd we sold last spring?

Rem: Even ma didn't know anything about it.

So you took it and-- and kept it?

You would've done the same thing.

But I wouldn't have had him killed!

But he found out!

He was making my life a misery.

He told me he was going to turn me in

to Judge Hobbs for stealin' his money.

You used me to kill him.

And then sent them after me.

Dee: Then you lied.

You lied to me and said he was Cooper!

Well, that way they-- they wouldn't be looking for him.

See, I done you favor, Boss.

Boy, I don't need your favors.

And that's the end of it.

No, it ain't.

Not while I got this gun in my hand.

Now, put that down.

You ain't tellin' me what to do no more, big brother!

And you ain't tellin' ma what I've done either!

You'll have to kill us all.

- Alright, I will. - By yourself?

Pulling your own trigger?

With no one else to do your murders?

I will.

You've got a gun, stop him.

- He's my brother. - Well, he's not mine.

[gunshot fired]

Garvey, stop!

[gunshots fired]

You see, how it was, Dee?

Pa was a devil.

Now, you ain't gonna let 'em do nothing to me, huh?

You ain't gonna tell on me.

I'll take you back.

Home?

Back to hang for killin' pa.

But it was Cooper who done it.

Little brother, how'd you get so dumb?

He finished me.

That fool boy.

What can I do for you?

My wife...

See that she gets back to her folks.

I will. I'll do that.

Thanks.

Now, get me home.

I wanna see her again.

Dan, you can't ride like this.

Just get me on a horse.

- I'll ride. - Alright.

Alright.

What's wrong? What's wrong?

What happened?

Oh, Daniel.

Is it bad?

I'm afraid it is.

Nellie.

Nellie.

- I had to tell you. - Hush.

You don't have to tell me anything.

- Daniel: I lied to you. - I don't wanna hear it.

Nel, I'm not the man you think I am.

You're a good man.

I know that.

And a good husband.

Nel, it could've been so different.

Nellie: It's no use talkin' talk.

I know you, Daniel.

I know you more than anybody in the world.

And nothing you can say can change it.

[sobbing]

Oh, Daniel.

Oh, Daniel.

[sobbing]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]