Original subtitles

All right, boys. Let's quiet down.

We'd lose too much if we sold our beef at a low mark.

We'll lose even more if we wait. You're talkin' like a fool.

The market ain't gonna drop any lower. It's rock bottom now.

We got to sell while we can.

I say that you're dead wrong.

We'd all be dead if we were listening to you.

Maybe you'd better listen to me instead.

How does it look in Cheyenne? Not so good.

The price of beef is falling fast.

- It's never been this low. - Never.

I talked to some cattle buyers' agents that I know I can trust.

- They made me a firm offer. - How much?

- Fifteen dollars a head. - Fifteen?

Why, it was $20 last week.

And 25 the week before. Wait a minute. I haven't finished.

This is a signed agreement.

They agree to hold at 15 no matter how low the market goes...

if we can get a combined herd to Cheyenne by the first of the month.

First of the month? Are you serious?

It can't be done.

It'll have to be done if we're to survive.

I know what a brutal blow this is to all of us.

But you know as well as I do that $15 a head will get us through the winter.

Barely. But you're right, Clay.

Gentlemen, may I point out that selling now could drive the market even lower.

Let's hold out for a better price.

The market's bound to go up in the spring.

Mr. Kordick, the Eastern combine you represent...

will see you through the winter.

Not many of us have that kind of capital to fall back on.

Now, is Clay Grainger trying to make us believe...

that he can't afford to tighten his belt? Well, maybe I could.

Maybe a few of us could. But what about the others?

The cattlemen's association was founded to

help all the ranchers, not just the big ones.

Now, if we're going to be fair about this, let's put it to a vote.

- So moved. - And seconded.

All those in favor of accepting the price mentioned in the agreement,

raise your hand.

I'll go along with Clay Grainger.

- And those opposed? - You bet I am!

Motion's carried.

All right. It's gonna be a lot of work gathering those herds.

I'll meet with your foremen tonight, and we'll make plans.

You can keep me out of your plans, ramrod.

- My cattle ain't going no place. - Walt, listen to reason.

Go on. Have your drive. But I'm telling you right now,

you keep your cattle off my land.

Adam.

Don't split the association over this.

I'm sorry, Clay. I... I can't go along with you.

A very serious mistake was made today, gentlemen.

Very serious. I've heard that up in Montana,

some of the small ranchers are leaving their places,

letting the wind and the weather take over.

Don't fool yourselves.

It can happen here just as easily.

Ho!

Uh...

Bet you a dollar you don't make it.

- Bet you a dollar I do. - Looks like I'm gonna get skunked again.

I hate to take all your money.

Well, I can't think of a better place for it.

Well, I'll rack.

Whiskey.

Friend of yours?

No, not exactly. Excuse me a minute.

Uh... beer.

Say, uh, don't I know you from somewhere?

It ain't likely.

Wait a minute. It'll come to me.

Uh...

Montana. Yeah.

Place called Red Lodge. Big Nell's place.

We were in a poker game. Draw poker.

Muirhead.

Nope. Never heard of him.

Uh-huh.

Well, I don't know what you call yourself now,

but, uh, I never forget a poker game.

Not that game. That was some game.

$500 in the pot,

and I was holdin' four aces.

And you took the pot with, uh, two deuces and a Colt .45.

I'd say you owe me $500!

Trampas!

I want you back at Shiloh just as soon as you can get there.

The rest of you hands better get back to your own ranches,

'cause we're gatherin' cattle at first light for a drive to Cheyenne.

All right, rise and shine! The herd's waitin'! Come on! Get up!

Yeah, well, I can wait too, and I'm in no big hurry.

Come on, boys! Get up!

Come on, Jim. Get up. All right. All right.

Rise and shine! The herd's waitin'!

Come on! Hit the deck! Let's go! You too, Trampas!

Huh?

I thought you said at first light. It's still dark outside.

Yeah, well, it'll be light by the time you get out there!

Harper, get some coffee in 'em, wake 'em up!

Come on, boys! We got cattle to move.

Saddlebag about ready?

Almost. I didn't think you'd be back so soon.

Well, we got the herds together in the basin. We'll start the drive at sunup.

What's all this? Well, I thought you might need it.

We're only drivin' to Cheyenne, not the North Pole.

Well, I know, and I know it gets cold on the range at night.

Well, here. Let me do that.

Won't have anything fit to wear when you get there.

Can you find room for this?

I don't know. What is it?

It's a plum cake. I thought you might get hungry.

We're only gonna have four chuck wagons.

Thank you, Elizabeth. That was very thoughtful of you.

I just hope the horse can carry all this.

And me too.

Hey, what's the matter with you?

Good-bye. Bye-bye, dear.

Take care of yourself.

Is that an order? Yes, it is.

So long, Liz. Maybe I'll bring you a play-pretty from Cheyenne,

or a new dress for your doll.

- Go away! - Whoa!

Whoa. Hey, now. What's the matter with you?

What's the matter with these horses? I don't know.

Maybe something in the wind.

Hey. What? What's the matter?

Listen. Stampede?

Get 'em up, fast! Come on! On your feet!

Stampede! Move it! Get up! Come on!

Come on! Let's go, boys!

Hold it.

That's not thunder.

Come on.

Is there something I can get you?

The extra comforter?

No, thank you, dear. I'm fine.

But you're right.

The house is colder without Uncle Clay.

Well, good night.

Good night, dear.

Elizabeth!

Elizabeth! Elizabeth!

How bad is he?

Can't tell yet. I sent Harper for the doctor.

The boy's lucky he wasn't trampled.

Any idea what spooked those cows?

Yeah. Somebody who didn't want the herd to get to Cheyenne.

I can't believe anybody would deliberately run cattle through a night camp.

The whole bunch of you could have been killed.

Maybe that was the idea.

How's Jim? Still out.

Anybody else hurt?

Couple of the hands won't be tracking straight for a while.

But nothin' too bad, I guess.

What about the herd? How many dead?

I counted 20 before I stopped counting.

The rest are scattered all over the place.

- Be a job and a half roundin' them up. - Well, it's gotta be done.

Fire, due north. Doesn't look like a brush fire.

- Shiloh. - Holly! Elizabeth!

Jean, you stay here with Jim. The rest of you boys round up the rest of the hands...

and get 'em over to Shiloh, quick!

Clay!

Clay! Get the buckets! We'll save what we can!

Come on! Clay.

You're all right. Clay, it's gone.

It's gone!

Well...

Get some rest while you can. We still gotta round up that herd.

Hope you got better luck than I did.

Mark! What's the news? Did you catch 'em?

Ah, they split up. The tracks went off in all directions.

- We had to turn back. - Turn back? What about Muirhead?

I told you, this is just the kind of job that would bring him into town.

And he left town right after the fire. No tellin' where he went.

Well, he's from Montana.

A place up near Red Lodge. Mark.

What are you doin' here? I thought you were out on a posse.

It was no use. They knew what they were doing.

They hit hard and got out fast.

Good professional job.

Holly and Elizabeth could have died in that fire.

If Kordick paid to have it done, he's just

as guilty as the men who threw those torches.

If it was Kordick. You don't know that for sure.

He wanted to keep the herd from gettin' to Cheyenne.

Can you think of a better suspect?

I heard all about that meeting, Clay.

There were other men didn't wanna make that drive.

You know, you don't wanna go makin' accusations you can't prove.

We could prove it if we had Muirhead.

But you don't have Muirhead. Now, believe me, I'm doin' all I can.

If he's in Wyoming, I'll get him.

Well, I don't wanna tell you how to do your job, Mark.

Well, I've got work to do.

Clay, please tell Holly how sorry I am.

I will.

Well, I better be gettin' back.

Thank you, boys. You did the best you could.

Looks like our best was... none too good.

The fire's out. That's somethin'.

Yeah.

And the men who started it are long gone,

and there's nothin' we can do about it.

Nothin'.

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

Hey, what are you doin'?

Packin'.

You're not gonna go after Muirhead alone now, are you?

Looks like it.

He might have his whole bunch up there with him.

I hope he does. I'd sure like to get 'em.

All by yourself?

The sheriff won't go into Montana after him,

and the telegraph ain't gonna bring him back.

We need Muirhead here...

to tell us who hired him. Well, it was Kordick, wasn't it?

Well, I want Muirhead to say it.

Looks like you're gonna need some help.

Hey, you get back in your bunk.

I'm goin' with ya.

You're not goin' anywhere. Now, look, Trampas.

Shiloh means just as much to me as it does to you.

You just try and stop me.

Hey! What the...

I'm all right. Look, I just got a little dizzy. Oh, sure. Sure.

You're all right. Why, you can lick your weight in mountain lions.

Only thing is, you can't stand up. Now, get back in the bunk.

Trampas... Look.

You tryin' to make a liar out of Doc Spaulding?

He said it'd take at least a week for you to mend.

Yeah, but... That's seven days, no matter how you count it.

Look, I'd like to have your company.

I just can't wait that long.

You take care of yourself, you hear, and I'll see you when I get back.

Where do you think you're goin'? After Muirhead.

- What about the herd? - What about it?

Look, Trampas, I want the men responsible just as much as you do.

You don't know how much. But the drive comes first.

Somebody didn't want that herd to get to Cheyenne. It's our job to see that it does.

You can get along without me. No, I can't.

All right.

But the minute this drive is over, I'm goin' north to Montana.

Come on. Let's round up those mangy critters. Now, wait a minute!

What about me? What am I supposed to do? Shut up...

and get well.

Well, I never liked this chair anyway.

What's that?

It's my graduation dress.

Oh.

Oh. I know. I know.

What are we gonna do?

Elizabeth, everything is going to be... No!

No, it's not going to be all right. Not this time.

Elizabeth.

I'm not gonna say that my heart isn't broken just like yours.

It was terrible,

and it was cruel.

But it's over.

And we've got work to do.

I think you'd better get a bucket and get some water from the system,

and bring it in here.

We've got an awful lot of cleaning up to do if we're gonna live in here.

Live here? Well, honey, this is our home.

I think there's a bucket in the springhouse. I'll go get it.

Poor child.

I found this in the study, or what used to be the study.

Kept some cash, securities in here.

Ashes.

Oh, Clay.

They tried to run us out, but we're still here.

So terrible.

To think that somebody would do this to us.

Somebody we know.

Clay, I don't know if I can go on here.

I never thought I'd hear you say that again.

Again?

Well, those are almost exactly the same words you used down in Texas.

Remember?

No, I don't remember.

All we had then was what we had left of my army pay.

We built it up into a nice little ranch.

It was a good one...

until the drought came along and finished it off.

Finished us off, I thought. Yeah, well, it didn't.

We started from scratch then. We can do it again.

Clay, do you honestly think that we can rebuild Shiloh?

Yes, I believe that. Don't you?

Well...

the war and a drought didn't stop us.

I guess a little fire...

can't keep us down.

Adam! How nice to see you.

I just heard about it, Holly.

I couldn't believe it. Well, it's true enough.

Mary wouldn't let me out of the house without bringing this.

There are some other things in the buggy...

Blankets and clothes.

Please tell Mary that we appreciate it very much.

I will.

I had to come straight over, Clay.

I want you to know that my walking out on the cattlemen's meeting...

was a matter of principle.

I don't hold with anything like this.

I know what you think. I'm... I'm letting down the association.

But I can't see taking a loss when it isn't absolutely necessary.

Well, I don't look forward to taking a loss either.

As a matter of fact, I expect to make enough...

from the sale of my cattle to restore my house and buy new stock.

Well, I wish you all the best, Clay.

I just wanted you to know where I stand. If I can help in any way...

Well, thank you, Adam, but we'll manage.

We'll be all right once the herd gets to Cheyenne.

We, uh, went along with you on this drive, Clay,

because we believed it was the best thing for all of us.

How come we still haven't heard from the Virginian?

He'll be along soon.

Something else on our minds.

We're wondering whose place might be next.

The burning of my place was a diversion...

to get my men away from the stampede.

I don't think there's gonna be any more trouble.

You sure about that, Mr. Grainger?

Not unless you have some notion of starting some more.

Me?

I'll ignore that for the moment, Mr. Grainger.

Gentlemen, I came here to offer my help. Your help?

Or does this offer come from a combine back East?

You make "combine" sound like a dirty word.

What it amounts to is a group of men with

money to invest in cattle and cattle ranches.

With a sole eye to making a profit. Forget every other consideration.

Nothing wrong with profit. Am I right, gentlemen?

Oh, but you're in it for more than the money, I assume, Mr. Grainger.

I'm in it because it's my life. It's not yours.

You could just as well be running a chicken ranch or a button factory.

I could indeed. And I'd probably do very well, with all due modesty.

But right now, I'm in charge of a cattle ranch,

and I've been authorized to invest in other cattle ranches in this area.

Shiloh, for instance?

As a matter of fact, Shiloh is one of the ranches, yes.

It doesn't matter that my house was burned down?

Well, I wouldn't say it doesn't matter.

What will you say, Mr. Kordick?

It was a very unfortunate occurrence.

- For you, or for me? - I don't deal in innuendo, Mr. Grainger.

I'm a straightforward man. Now, if you care to make some charges,

I think we should step down to the sheriff's office right now.

You know I'm not ready for that.

And you never will be.

I'm not your friend, Mr. Grainger, but I'm not your enemy.

The only thing I'm interested in is your land.

I've been authorized to buy it at top dollar.

I'll pay you what your ranch is worth in any good year.

I'm not out to take advantage of the situation.

Neither am I. I have no wish to sell, none whatsoever.

No?

Well, my guess is that you don't have enough

money in the bank to keep you through the winter.

I will have after my cattle are sold in Cheyenne.

We'll all have enough to see us through.

I'm very sorry, gentlemen. I really am.

I thought you might have heard by now. Heard what?

My contacts in Cheyenne tell me your men didn't get there in time with the herd.

What does he mean?

Instead of $15 a head, your cattle sold for nine.

Nine? Nine dollars?

Yes.

I know what a dreadful shock this must be.

Especially to you, Mr. Grainger. You've lost so much already.

Howdy.

Well, glad to see you up and around.

Yeah.

It's too bad about not making that deadline.

Yeah. Nine dollars a head. It costs more than that to feed 'em.

It ain't like any cattle drive I was ever on.

Other times, the guys would be whooping it up. Well, I don't know about you.

I'm just too whooped to whoop.

Long miles for short money.

- Any word from the sheriff? - No. No, not a thing.

Muirhead. Muirhead. That's the one to go after.

It's Muirhead.

Well, it's too late now anyway.

It's just too late for Shiloh.

Thanks. You're welcome.

What are you gonna do, Clay?

What are we all gonna do?

Don't go blaming yourself.

You're not responsible for anybody else coming up short on this drive.

The man to blame is the man who delayed us. One man.

You think it was Kordick? Kordick.

There's one thing I can do for all of us.

I can keep that Eastern combine...

from sweeping through this territory like a scythe.

How? By hanging on to Shiloh with both hands...

and not letting go.

Tell one of the boys to saddle my horse, will ya?

I'm going into town. I got business at the bank.

Yes, sir.

Grainger just came into town.

- Oh? - Well, guess where he went.

The bank.

How did you know that?

Well, it's the logical place, and Grainger's a logical man.

Oh. I notice he didn't come to see you.

He will.

Well, not to sell the Shiloh ranch, he won't.

Keep your voice down.

You've got him figured out all wrong.

If I have, it'll be the first time.

Now, listen. He's a tough old buzzard.

And if you want him to come around to your way of thinking,

you've got to do more than burn him out.

I have to do what?

Well, it... it was just meant as a joke.

A joke?

Walter. You know, you're a bigger fool than I took you for.

No man ever calls me that.

- I just did. - I...

Oh, all right. Maybe I shouldn't have said it.

We are on the same side, after all.

That doesn't make us partners.

I-I just wanted to tell you about Grainger.

Well, then tell me something I don't already know.

Seeing as how-how badly you want the Shiloh ranch...

I want more than that.

And I'll have it... as soon as Grainger gives up the fight.

But that's just it.

If he can borrow what he needs from Weston at the bank...

You said "if," Walter? You did say "if"?

All right, Walter, you can leave now. I like to have my breakfast in peace.

Go on.

I said go on, Walter.

Kordick and his employers are waiting like wolves around a dying campfire.

Once they devour Shiloh, there'll be no stopping 'em.

Have they made you an offer?

No, they haven't mentioned a price.

Not yet, but they will.

Meanwhile, all the ranchers around Medicine Bow...

are watching to see what I'm going to do.

I've just gotta have the help of your bank, John,

if I'm going to pull out of this.

Clay, there's nothing I'd like more than helping you.

But it's just a bad situation all around.

- Is that your answer? - I'm sorry, Clay.

After all the years we've been dealing with your bank,

you must have a little faith in cattle ranchers.

Yes. But I have to answer to the Bank of Cheyenne.

Then put in a word for us, John. Make 'em realize how it is.

Their only interest is the price of cattle...

and the return on their investment.

You see that, don't you, Clay? My hands are tied.

They were always wide open during the good times.

I've got other depositors to protect.

I think you're more interested in protecting your own position.

If you only had something to show.

I've got collateral. I'll put up Shiloh.

The way things are, that just isn't good enough.

Clay, please. Try to understand.

I won't waste any more of your time.

Clay!

All right, boys. Line up. Pay call.

Where's Trampas? Trampas!

- What's going on? - Pay call.

Now, you're all accustomed to getting a bonus at the end of a cattle drive.

Well, this time, I don't suppose you're expecting one,

so not getting it won't hurt so much.

You will get your wages, though.

But before you sign up for 'em,

Mr. Grainger has something to say to you.

Well, first of all,

I know how hard you all worked to make that deadline,

and I'm grateful for it.

But my gratitude won't pay for next month's work.

Gentlemen, this is your final pay.

Final?

I've gotta let you go. Shiloh's finished.

You're not quitting?

I have no other choice. There's no capital to keep running.

No chance at rebuilding.

Well, maybe it just looks that way right now.

Why, sure. Why, these bad times are only temporary. By next spring...

There won't be a next spring for Shiloh!

We can't make the winter.

So... find yourselves other jobs. This one's finished.

Mr. Grainger thinks that if there is a chance,

it's so slim that it's not fair to bind you over.

So I think the best thing for you to do...

is ride out first thing in the morning.

What are you gonna do?

I'll be riding out too.

Bye, boys. Take care of yourselves.

There's no use standing out here in the cold.

Come on, Elizabeth.

Mr. Grainger?

I didn't want to go without saying good-bye.

Elizabeth just went up to the house.

Well, uh... No, sir. I-I don't think I could say good-bye...

to her or Mrs. Grainger, not straight out.

I understand.

Matter of fact, I feel the same way.

Anyway, I... I wanted to thank you for...

taking in a green kid and, uh, and giving me my first real chance.

You earned your way, James Joseph.

You're a good hand. One of the best.

Coming from you, Mr. Grainger, that's really something to hear.

Would you, uh,

tell Mrs. Grainger and...

And Elizabeth that...

I've never really known that kind of gentleness.

And it's somethin' I won't ever forget.

I'll tell 'em. Bye, Jim.

Mr. Grainger, I wish you all the luck in the world.

You still here?

Sort of looks that way.

You say good-bye to the Graingers?

Yeah, early this morning.

I wouldn't want to go through that again.

Could hardly get the words out.

Where you headed?

Where do you think?

Muirhead. I'll find him too.

Well, uh, so long, partner.

See you around sometime, somewhere. Why don't we ride together?

Seein' as how we're goin' in the same direction.

Well, let's not stand here jawin' about it. Let's go get him.

We'll need some new fencing along the south ridge come spring.

What's so funny about nailin' a man's boots to the floor?

I wanted you to know how much I appreciate...

you takin' in a green kid and giving me my first real chance on my own.

Line up for pay call!

Any man who can't write his name, sign with an "X."

Come and get it, or I'll throw it out.

All right, who put salt in the sugar bowl?

Clean those plates. We got cattle to move.

Whew! I don't know which is worse, Harper...

Your chili beans or your coffee.

I didn't wanna go without saying good-bye.

Would you tell 'em I... tell 'em I won't never forget it.

You tell 'em that for me, please.

I think those new hands are gonna work out fine.

I won't never forget it.

Rise and shine!

Good-bye, Mr. Grainger. I...

I wish you all the luck in the world.

Uncle Clay?

Supper's ready.

Jean? Another beer? Not just now.

Well, howdy, Harp, Jean, Cece.

One of these beers is yours.

Well, thanks.

Well, what are you doin' these days, Harper?

Oh, I got a good job over at the Box "W."

Well, don't you go poisonin' any of them boys with your bad beans.

They don't mind my beans. They can eat 'em three times a day.

Oh, they will. And then see what they think of 'em.

What about you, Jim?

Well, I'm workin' here in town at the livery stable.

You figurin' on movin' west when you get a stake?

No. I, uh... I wouldn't wanna get that far away.

- From what? - Well, from Shiloh.

- Shiloh? - Well, from the Graingers.

You know, they've been mighty good to us.

- Look, Grainger said Shiloh was done for. - I know what he said, Harper.

But I've been doin' some thinkin' lately,

and, uh, well, I don't think Shiloh is done for.

You just don't wanna believe it.

I think maybe with the right kind of help, the Graingers can keep goin'.

Look, if there was a way we could help out, we wouldn't be sittin' in this saloon.

There isn't a thing in the world we can do.

So you might just as well forget it and drink your beer.

All I want you to do is listen to this crazy notion I've got.

Maybe it's not so crazy.

Separately, there's not a thing any of us can do to help.

But suppose we all work together?

It should be beyond that range there.

Ah, if that storekeeper at Red Lodge knew what he was talking about.

Let's go and find out.

You've been studying that for almost an hour.

What makes it so interesting?

Well, it's just a piece of paper that somehow escaped the fire.

Is it the deed to Shiloh?

- Clay, you're not thinking of... - I'm thinking of our future.

Well, I don't like the sound of it.

We've got to think about Elizabeth. What's her life going to be like?

What's yours going to be like if you sell Shiloh? Clay, you can't.

I've made up my mind, Holly. We can't go on, not like this.

Oh, Clay.

Uncle Clay, there's a light on in the bunkhouse.

Bunkhouse?

Night riders!

I'll find out soon enough. Clay, be careful.

Don't get hurt.

Elizabeth, you stay here. But, Aunt Holly...

Please, do as I say.

Good evenin'.

Just in time for a cup of coffee, Mr. Grainger.

Well, what in the Sam Hill is goin' on here?

Well, most of the fellas are turnin' in.

They want to get an early start tomorrow.

There's a lot of work to be done around here.

You know I can't afford to pay wages, Jim.

Well, we work cheap, Mr. Grainger.

Fact is, we work for nothin'.

We don't have any cattle.

Oh, we haven't come to work cattle. Not yet, anyway.

What did ya come for?

We'd like to rebuild Shiloh Ranch, Mr. Grainger, if that's all right with you.

Without any pay?

Seeing Shiloh back the way it was, that's all the pay we'll need.

Unless you've got other plans.

No, I can't think of a better plan.

Well, Jim, boys,

all of you, thank you.

Well, I'd better get back and tell Holly. She thinks I'm being murdered down here.

That's the craziest thing I ever heard of.

Men being fired, and then comin' back to work without pay.

That's no way to get rich.

No, sir, I reckon it ain't.

All right. Come on, boys. Let's hit those bunks.

Tomorrow morning, we're gettin' up with the sun.

There it is. Yeah, and somebody's home.

There could be a man for each one of those horses. Muirhead and four friends.

Or it could be one man with a string of horses. Maybe Muirhead alone.

I suppose one of us could go down and knock on the door and find out.

If there are five of 'em, we might need some help.

That means riding into Red Lodge for the marshal.

Somebody'd have to stay and watch the place.

One stays. One goes.

I got a better idea. We both stay.

- You sure? - It's been a long ride.

I don't wanna go anywhere without Mr. Muirhead.

Besides, five ain't so many. That's less than three a piece.

Well, we could rush the cabin, take 'em by surprise.

If Muirhead's gonna tell us who hired him, we've gotta take him alive.

If something got at the horses, that might bring 'em out.

All right. I'll spook 'em.

I don't know what they're fussin' about. Dumb creatures!

Well, we know there are two of 'em, anyway. Yeah.

There must be a way to get 'em all out of there at the same time.

There is. Give 'em some of their own medicine.

You got a match?

Remember, he's no good to us dead. Yo.

Get out of there!

I tell ya, I smell something burning.

There's two of 'em!

All right, don't shoot!

Oh, no.

Oh!

You wanted some tangible evidence that we cattlemen can see this thing through.

Why don't you come out and have a look at Shiloh, John. See what's been done.

- I've heard already. - You oughta see it.

It looks just like it always does. Big as you please.

Holly wouldn't even listen to the idea of making any improvements this time.

Wanted everything exactly like it was.

Well, that's fine, Clay. And I'm glad for your sake.

But, uh,

building a house isn't running a ranch.

Well, no, it's not. But it's at least a start.

We will have it running.

Of course we'll need some good breeding stock.

And some winter feed.

Some new harnesses, ropes, blankets, and about three miles of fencing...

Wait a minute, Jim. This is not a general store.

Well, if rebuilding Shiloh isn't proof enough, I've got more proof right here.

You have? What proof?

James Joseph Horn.

He and the rest of my hands have volunteered

to stay on and work without wages...

until Shiloh's running at a profit.

Now, you tell that to the Bank of Cheyenne.

Clay.

It's not just Cheyenne.

It's not Cheyenne at all, is it? You're the one who's not convinced.

That's right, Clay. I'm not.

Clay, you and other members of the cattlemen's association...

aren't the only ones in trouble.

My bank is up against it.

Kordick, you know, has offered financing to some of the ranchers.

Yes. He's trying to take over.

He's called a special meeting of the association tonight for just that purpose.

And if the power shifts to Kordick,

if he assumes leadership, cattle business will undergo a drastic change.

You don't have to tell me that, John.

I've been trying to prevent it. Yes, but can you?

All this instability, this split in your organization...

Clay, I can't risk a loan to you or any other cattle rancher right now.

Now, look. Mr. Grainger can stop Kordick.

All we have to do is wait for Trampas and the Virginian...

to get back with that house burner, and for him to tell what he knows.

But the meeting's tonight!

And I'm afraid Kordick's chances of running things his own way look pretty good.

I can name you association members that'll have to go along with him...

Rafe Ogden, Adam Southcott, Del Wardlow.

They're in too deep.

And once they accept Kordick's help,

they'll be running their ranches for the combine, not themselves.

What you're saying is, I've got to stand up to Kordick at that meeting tonight.

I'm telling you you've got to win, or you've lost Shiloh.

Now, I'm not going to stand here and tell you Clay Grainger...

was responsible for the bottom falling out of the beef market,

because that's just not so.

But, gentlemen, it troubles me that when it did happen,

the leadership of this association was not prepared for it.

Oh.

It makes me wonder about our future.

These are times that are changing, but we're not changing with the times.

Now, it's...

Mr. Grainger.

Well, we were hoping you'd attend the meeting.

Is that John Weston with you?

Yes, it is. He's here as my guest.

Well, that's fine. Just fine.

Whoa, John. Just a minute. This is a closed meeting.

It's restricted to the membership according to bylaws of the cattlemen's association.

It's also a special meeting called without the consent of the president.

Why is he here?

Well, Walter, maybe it's because he knows that sooner or later,

this discussion is going to come around to the subject of money.

It might just as well be now as later.

John, I hear you consider cattle ranchers to be a poor risk these days.

Possibly. Hmm. I find that strange. I really do.

Because the organization I work for is ready

to back these men to the hilt. Yes, sir.

They're ready to dig down deep in their pockets...

and pull out what it takes to pay off debts,

mortgages, notes, whatever. At what interest?

No interest, John. No interest whatsoever.

They're not in the money-lending business.

All they want is to see these men raising cattle again.

They're not giving money away. What do they expect in return for their investment?

Beef.

And the right to purchase at a fair price.

And who's going to set those prices?

And what if the market goes down even lower than it is now?

Is everybody supposed to do what you're doing on the Bar 7?

Increasing my herd?

That makes good sense, Mr. Grainger.

If the market goes up, I'm gonna show a greater profit.

Rafe, does that make good sense to you?

I couldn't increase my herd if I wanted to. I'm overgrazed as it is.

Yeah, well, I mean if you were raising cattle for somebody else.

If you were ordered to do so.

I still couldn't do it.

I don't have enough water on my place. But you know that.

Yes, I know it, Rafe.

But that outfit back East giving the orders,

they wouldn't know it and they wouldn't care.

Why should they? When Wyoming's grazed out, they'll move on to Montana, Oregon.

They mine the lane. They use it up,

and they put nothing back into it.

Why should they? It's not their land. It's ours.

You take Kordick's money, and you'll end up being nothing better...

than tenant ranchers on your own land.

Mr. Grainger, I'm a businessman.

You said so yourself. I'm offering a sound business proposition.

Is it sound for a man to give up the very

thing that brought him here in the first place?

His independence?

Some of us have fought for this land. Well, let's fight to keep it!

We've all had bad times. Worse than this.

For some, it's been floods. For others, it's been blizzards and snow.

For me, it was fire.

And I almost gave up. Would've been easy.

Mr. Kordick offered to buy me outright just to get rid of me.

I thank heaven I didn't accept it.

Why? What have you got now?

The man's talking like a dreamer.

I'm offering a practical solution to your problems,

and he's talking about the old days.

You know, times are changing, gentlemen. But not Clay Grainger.

No, sir. He just goes right on taking the sentimental approach to every issue.

Is it sentimental to want to preserve what we've got?

Yes, when it's a piece of grassland you're talking about preserving.

Even if you did have to fight for it once, those days are over.

All over, gentlemen. There's nobody to fight now.

No Indians swooping down with war paint,

tomahawks.

Well, as for the weather, there's not too much anybody can do about that.

Shiloh wasn't struck by lightning.

And you say there's nobody left to fight?

What about you, Mr. Kordick, and the company you work for?

Now, hold on, Mr. Grainger. Just hold on.

The way you put that, somebody's liable to get the idea...

that you're accusing me of burning down your house.

I'm not saying anything I can't prove.

Well, then you'd better not say anything. There are libel laws,

even in the territory of Wyoming.

The one thing you don't have is proof.

Oh, yes. I have proof.

What kind of proof, Clay?

Of a tragedy.

A man I called my friend, a troubled man,

heavily in debt,

corrupted by the promise of financial security.

A man so desperate to prevent his own ruin...

that he gave orders to ruin others.

When the price of beef began to go down,

it was suggested to this man that Mr. Kordick's employers...

would be grateful if this organization was split right down the middle.

So my friend sent for a fella he'd known sometime past.

A fella would do anything for a few dollars.

Now, he didn't have any particular plan...

until we voted right here in this room.

Mr. Kordick was against that.

He could see that we could make it on the holding price.

So he implied it might be well if our cattle were detained.

My friend took up that thought,

and our cattle were stampeded, and Shiloh was burned.

Yes, I think back to the hours my friend spent in my house,

to the good times we had together.

And then I think of how he was brought so low so quickly,

and how temptation has been offered to all of us!

And I have to close my heart to personal tragedy.

This thing has got to be stopped now.

There's my proof. Bring him in.

Clay. I worked so hard for my place.

I put so much work into it.

I couldn't face losing it.

God, forgive me.

Hmm.

I'm as shocked as any man in this room.

And you can't say that I had anything to do with it.

I'll say it, and I'll keep on saying it...

as long as you and your corruption remain in Medicine Bow.

Muirhead lit the torch. Adam gave the order.

But you're responsible, Mr. Kordick.

What kind of nonsense is this man talking about?

I came here to offer you a chance to climb out of a hole!

Here. This is what I'm offering.

Good American greenbacks. That's what it is.

Did you ever see anything more beautiful in all your life?

Ogden, have you?

I reckon I have.

You keep your money, Mr. Kordick.

I'll get by without it.

What are you, out of your mind?

Are you out of your minds? What's the matter with you?

Without this, you can't do anything.

Without this, you're nothing!

If you gentlemen need any help from now on,

come and see me at the bank.

We'll work things out together.

Oh.

Cattle ranchers.

The trouble with you people, you've been in the sun too long.

Mr. Kordick, wait!

Clay, if my hat was on, I'd take it off to you.

♪♪

♪ The red river's flowin' I can touch the sky ♪

♪ And Holly's gonna make some apple pie ♪

♪ I feel like I'm in heaven before my time ♪

♪ The sun is shinin' and it's early spring ♪

♪ Whoops, there goes an angel's wing ♪

♪ I feel like I'm in heaven before my time ♪

♪ The sky is blue and the grass is green ♪

♪ Touch me so I know that it ain't no dream ♪

♪ 'Cause I feel like I'm in heaven before my time ♪

♪ Well, I've been meanin' to tell you It's a big surprise ♪

♪ If this ain't heaven it's a good disguise ♪

♪ 'Cause I feel like I'm in heaven before my time ♪

♪ Well, the sun is shinin' and it's early spring ♪

♪ Whoops, there goes an angel's wing ♪

♪ I feel like I'm in heaven before my time ♪

♪ Well, I've been meanin' to tell you It's a big surprise ♪

♪ If this ain't heaven it's a good disguise ♪

♪ 'Cause I feel like I'm in heaven before my time ♪

♪ Mmm, I feel like I'm in heaven before my time ♪

♪ Yeah, I feel like I'm in heaven before my time ♪♪

♪♪

How about something to drink? Speech! Speech!

Yeah, how about it, Mr. Grainger? Uncle Clay?

I'm already hoarse from talking to cattlemen and bankers.

Well, how's it look? Pretty good.

No. We're not going to talk about cows...

or the price of beef, not tonight.

Well, all right then.

I'll say a few words about Shiloh...

and the good people that helped us when help was needed.

We thank you most sincerely.

Let's go on and have some fun.

See if these walls will stand up to a good old-fashioned housewarming.

Whoop! We'd better be careful.

Last time we had a housewarming, it left you in pretty bad shape.

Well, anyway, here we are all together under one roof.

And for that, we're everlastingly grateful.

Amen.

I didn't mean that to sound like a prayer. It just came out that way.

I'd like to propose a toast.

- To Shiloh. - To Shiloh.

To Shiloh.