All language subtitles for The Virginian - 07x11 - The Mustangers

[ Horse Whinnying ]

[ Whinnying ][ Whistles ]
Come here, boy.

Come on. Come on.
Come on. Come on.

[ Rifle Cocks ]

Just hold it
right where you are.

Now you just turn around--

real slow--

and state your business.

And if I won't?

Will you take a willow stick
to my britches,

like you used to?Dewey!

[ Laughs ]

How are you, Pa?

I didn't think your school
would be done with
for another month.

Was I wrong, Son?

No, Pa.

You just up and left?

I didn't have any choice.
The money ran out.

But I sent you money
three months ago
for your schoolin'...

and your ma's doctor
and the funeral.

It went awful fast--
all of it.

You wrote me that,
and I'd said I'd send more.

I waited, but the debts
kept gettin' bigger
all the time.

- I still owe money back there.
- I said I'd send more.

If I stay and work,
I could save money even faster.

Work? Doin' what?

You don't know nothin'
about no mustangs.

No, but I did ranch work
around Fort Worth--
some with horses.

These ain't no horses, boy.
These are mustangs.

And it takes a man
to work 'em.

You weren't no older than me
when you started.

But savvy adds a lot
to a man's years.

Pa? Aren't you glad to see me?

For visitin'? Yeah.

But if you plannin'
on stayin' to work, well--

[ Chuckles ]
Well--

Go on up to the bunkhouse
and see Joe.

Tell 'im who you are.
He'll give you a bunk.

We'll talk later.

- Pa--
- I said we'll talk later.

[ Horses Approaching ]

- Help you?
- We're here
to buy some horses.

Can you tell me where
I can find Joe Williams?

I'll get him for you.

Joe.

Huh?There's some fellas
out here to see you.

Said they wanna
buy some horses.

Mighty fine boy
you got there.

Yeah. Favors his ma.

Took the bunk
next to yours.

I'm Joe Williams.
You're from Shiloh?That's right.

I'm the ranch foreman.
This here's Dave Sutton,
one of my hands.

Glad to meet you,
Mr. Williams.

I take it you got
Mr. Grainger's wire.Sure did.

Said you needed horses
in a hurry
for a cattle drive.

That's right.Four dollars
more a head...

if we drive
those 1,100 steers
to Omaha ourselves.

We need more horses
to do that.

Well, you come
to the right place.

Yeah.

[ Virginian ]
It looks to be good stock. [ Williams ] I'll guarantee it.

You'll see for sure, though,
later on.

Right now, though, I guess the
two of you is just about ready
to clean up and rest a spell.

Well, there's plenty of room
in the bunkhouse.

I give my hands some free time
when we come in off the range.

Right now, there's just
Ben Harper and me
tradin' watches.

- There's been
some rustlin' lately.
- Say, did you say Ben Harper?

You heard of him?

I guess anybody ever heard
of a mustang has.

He's been working
all over the state,
one time or another.

Been with me seven,
eight years. Ben!

Best bronc snapper
that ever lived.

Part Mustang himself,
they say.

All mustang, some say.

Includin' my disposition.

Ben, this is
the Shiloh Ranch foreman...

and one of his men,
Mr. Sutton.

Come all the way from
the Wyoming Territory.Glad to meet you.

It's a real pleasure,
Mr. Harper.

[ Virginian ] Say, how'd you
like some company tonight
standing guard?

It'd be good to have
someone to talk to.

All right.
Dave, you take care
of the horses.

Then we'll clean up
and eat.

You can take the first watch
tonight, and I'll take
the second.

Well, I was kind of
looking forward
to that soft bunk.

But,
as William Hazlitt said,

"Satisfaction is not lessened
by being anticipated."

Yeah. Well, see you
at the bunkhouse.

Mr. Williams.

Oh, Dewey.

This is the Shiloh foreman,
come to buy some horses.

This here
is Ben's boy.Oh, glad to meet you.

Uh, look, you can
use this bunk.

And if there's
anything you need,
just holler.

Thanks, Mr. Williams.

Did you get a look
at those horses?

Just a once-over.

One of 'em moves around
like he'd never been rode.

I bet he gave Pa quite a time
'fore he settled down.

You bust horses yourself?

No, not really.

I did some riding around
Fort Worth, but nothing
on horses like those.

Like that bay--
I bet the day Pa busted him,
he really earned his salary.

You break a horse like that,
and you've really
done something.

Well, you sure sound
like Ben Harper's son,
all right.

Yeah. I guess I do
take after him quite a bit.

Howdy.

Mr. Sutton,

that thing you said before
about, uh, satisfaction--

what was that again?

Uh, "Satisfaction is not
lessened by being anticipated."

The man who wrote that
was really talking about
reading old books.

Even though you've read
them before and you know
what's coming--

well, they're still
good to read.

I wouldn't know
too much about that.

Never got past
the third grade myself.

- Well, I was lucky.
I got to college.
- You did?

Well, for a time.

Hmm. The closest
I ever got to college
was lookin' at one.

Looked at it a long time--

uh, from the outside.

Never could muster up
the stomach to go in.

Well, there's
no reason not to.

A college is no different
from any other kind of school--

just classrooms and hallways.

Exceptin' what they teach you.

Imagine. Bein' able to learn...

everything you need to know
in a couple of years.

Uh, is that how long you
went there?

I'd have been there
longer than that
if I'd finished.

- I was studying medicine.
- But now, look,
it did cost a lot--

[ Groans ]

[ Horse Blusters ]

[ Exhales ]

They got 'em--
the horses.
All of 'em.

What did you say?

They came up from behind
and slugged us.

Did you see their faces?No, I couldn't
see a thing.

How could you let
a thing like that happen?

I'm sorry. We were talkin',
I guess, and--You were talking?

I know. It was stupid.

Ain't no use
strainin' yourself.

They're long gone.We can trail 'em, can't we?

Not till daylight we can't,
and that's more than
three hours off.

Anyway, they'd have 'em branded
by the time we found 'em.

Well--

I know how you feel.

You know how it feels
to lose $5,000 when it
isn't even your money?

And it's not just my boss.
It's my friend.

There's a-- There's
a horse trader round here
named Cal Hobson.

He ain't got
the best reputation around,
but then I don't figure...

you care who you do business
with as long as they got
the stock you need.

'Sides, he might be
the one took our horses.

Well, let's get at it--
all of us.

Well, no-- No need
for the boy to go.Why not?

I just rather he didn't.
That's all.

Mr. Williams, it seems to me
we're gonna need every hand
we can get.

He's right, Ben.

We catch Hobson with the goods,
he's gonna put up a fight.

It's all right, Pa.

I'll go. I'd like to.

The boy goes.
Saddle up, Ben.

Now, tell me some more
about Cal Hobson.

You will join me
in a cup of coffee?

Well, yes. Thank you.

I'm, uh-- I'm sorry
to get you out of bed,
Mr. Hobson,

but I need those horses
pretty bad.Well, that's me business.

Uh, there's only one
small problem though.

I've been exceptionally
lucky this season,

and I've managed to unload every
animal I could get my hands on.Oh?

Uh, as your men outside
are going to discover.

[ Laughs ]
Ah, you didn't
get me out of bed.

I watched you ride in.

Well, they wanted to see
what kind of horses you had.

Joe was sold out too then?

Williams.

I did recognize him,
didn't I?

Well, yes,
as a matter of fact.

Ah. Joe. Ben!

Good to see you.
Uh, más café,Querida.

You will join us
in a cup of coffee, won't you?

We come for horses, Hobson,
not coffee.

I'm sorry you didn't find
what you were looking for.

I know you are.

There's nothing quite
as discouraging as making
a long trip for nothing.

Now, is there?Nothing like it.

Nothing makes me quite so mad
as having stock stolen
right out from under me.

Stolen?
You didn't tell me that.

Well, now, we weren't
sure we'd have to.

That sounded almost like
an accusation, Joe.

Let's put it this way.

Seems kinda funny you ain't
got any hands around.

Bunkhouse is as empty
as your corrals.

I give my hands time off.
Don't you?

How about that, Ben?

If Joe's too hard on you,
you can always come
and work for me.

Double pay.

I can always use
a good buster.

That a fact?

I always thought you weren't
interested in horses unless
they were already broke.

[ Chuckling ]

If I ever find the man
who stole those horses,

it won't be
anything to laugh about.

Well, I'm sorry.
There's no other way
I can look at it.

I can't accept money
for horses you never got.

Well, they were here.
I saw 'em.

We could have completed
the transaction
then and there.

But we didn't.
That's the point.

Well, a man could say
I'd already accepted
the horses.

I had my own man
watching 'em.

Look, we could
argue about this
for quite a spell.

Right now, though,
I'm afraid we're both losers.

I've lost my money,
and you those horses you need.

Well, then, maybe
the only thing
we can do...

is pitch in together,
and find another herd
and break 'em.

All right, let's say
we try it again.

Who's gonna bust 'em?

My peeler's long gone.
He quit right after
he finished your herd.

Now, you don't want
just any saddle stiff...

spoilin' them mustangs
for you any more than I do.

But you've got the best
there ever was right here--
Ben Harper.

[ Scoffs ]
"Was." Just about right.

By golly, that man's...

been straddlin' mustangs
15 years more than
most men could.

Why, Ben's so busted up,

that ride out to Hobson's
and back made him sore.

No. No, he's not ready
to admit he's all washed up yet.

Sometimes a-- a man
is one of the last to know...

a thing about hisself
like that.

Now, mind you, I haven't
said anything to him.

But I been easin' him out
kinda gradual-like.

That foreman of yours
is still fussed at you,
ain't he?

He's got a right to be,
I guess.

It wasn't your fault
those horses got stole.

You're new to these parts.
I ain't.

Should be me
takin' the blame,
not you.

I sure wish I could fix it
so it would ease up on you.

Maybe you can.

Meanin'?Meaning you break 'em
as fast as we can rope 'em.

I know he's not going
back there without 'em.

You mean he's gonna try
for a new herd?

He would, maybe,

if he thought you were
gonna break 'em for him.

I don't know if one man
can do all of that or not.

Ben Harper can.

You're temptin' me,
David.

But we need hands
to corral those mustangs.

Maybe you could get some
of the men to come back,
if you knew where they were.

Oh, I know where they are
all right enough.

But gettin' them to leave
Soapie's before they've
spent their last nickel,

now, that's something else.

Soapie's?Yeah.

That's a place that sits
way out on the range
all by itself.

Yes, sir. Ol' Soapie--
she just sits
and waits...

while the hands
go out and sweat
in the heat and dust,

fightin'
those wild mustangs,

and knowin' dang well
they're gonna come
draggin' in her place,

anxious to spend
all their pay on
her whiskey and women.

I'll tell you what.
Uh, you and me--

we'll ride down
to Soapie's.

We'll see if we can't
talk some of the boys...

into cuttin' short
on their "hurrahin'."

♪♪ [ Honky-tonk Piano ] [ Crowd Chattering, Laughing ]

[ Chattering ]

[ Woman ]
Ben Harper!
What's happening?

Hi, Ben.Did Williams fire you,
or did you just get lost?

[ Laughing ]

[ Chuckling ]Maybe our job won't be
so tough after all.

I wouldn't bet on that.

Well, Ben.

It's real good to see ya.
Oh, it's been a long time.

No use wastin'
all those kind words,
Soapie.

We're only gonna
be here long enough
to drink a beer.

Draw two.

Wait here while I do
some convincin'.Mm-hmm.

What's he up to?Hmm?

What's he up to?

Mr. Williams just wants some
of his hands to come back.Already?

Mmm. They ain't no more
than got here.Well--

It's an emergency.

Yeah.

Sure is.

Ben, you know we'd do
most anything for you,

but this here's
downright unreasonable.

Look, we can't do it
without you,

not without
at least some of you.

[ Mouthing Words ]

Roy, if you'll
say yes, maybe--
maybe the others will.

Well, how about it?

[ Whispering ]
Heather.

Excuse me, Roy.
Soapie wants to see me.

You realize you're askin' me
to leave that little bird, Ben?

And that'd just about
break her heart.
[ Laughs ]

Heather, I want you to take care
of that young fella there.

Convince him that stayin'
with us...

would be more fun
than mustangin'.

But Roy wouldn't like it.

Never mind Roy.

I'll take care of him.

Hello.Howdy.

You're new.

I mean, I've never seen you
in here before.

Well, that's because
I haven't been
in here before.

And we're not staying
very long either.

Aw. I was hoping you would.Oh? Why?

Well, I mean, the place
looks pretty busy.

Yeah, but look at 'em.

You're not the same.

No, I mean it.
You're a gentleman.
I can tell.

There's very few gentlemen
that I've--

I'd really like it
if you'd stay.

Would you?Well, that's nice
of you, miss, but--

Now, Roy, hold on.
Hold on while I explain.

I told you
Roy wouldn't like it.

Lay off.
He's a friend of mine.

I don't even know what I did.

You came in here.
That was your
first mistake.

Tryin' to stay
might be your last one.

Oh--
[ Ragged Breathing ]

I'm goin', all right--
soon as we finish what
we came to do.

You're already finished.

He's right, David.
They won't help us--
none of 'em.

[ Chuckles ]
Except me.

I'm goin' with you--
all the way
to the front door.

Now, wait just a minute.Don't do it, Roy.

He doesn't want to fight.

That's right, Miss.
I never did see
much sense in fighting--

'less there's a good reason.

Well, how's this
for a reason?

Now, all you gotta do
is stop me from
throwing you outta here,

and she's yours.

Well, no offense
to you, miss,

but that's not really
what I came in here for.

There is one thing
that I would consider
fighting you for.

What is it?

Well, I think you might
think the stakes
are too high, and I--

- Name them.
- We need men.

If I walk out of here,
you go with me.

[ Chuckles ]
All right.
You got a deal.

Might even take
one or two of the boys
along with me.

David, you don't know
what you're doin'.

Could be, Ben.
Just could be.

[ Crowd Murmurs ]

Take a nice rest.

Where you been?
Who's that?

Ben and I have been
over at Soapie's
to recruit some men.

Now, that gentleman
lyin' there is, uh, Roy,

who... consented
to come along.

I'm sorry we couldn't get more,
but they just wouldn't
leave Soapie's.

I had to take
what we could get--

Him and two others.What happened to your lip?

Oh, I got in a little fight.

Great. Great!

You go out to recruit men,
and the first thing you do
is get into a brawl.

That's a great way
to get people to hire on.

Maybe you should have brought
somebody with more experience.

Maybe I should have.
The point is,
you're the one I did bring.

I figured what you lacked
in experience, you'd
make up for in common sense.

And what's that
supposed to mean?

It's supposed to mean
you don't go around...

trusting everybody
until you know them better.

Like who?Like anybody.

Williams, Ben, these new men
you brought back--

Well, don't tell me you think
Joe Williams had something
to do with that robbery.

No. He's an honest man.

Tried to take the full
responsibility for the loss.
No, I trust him.

- But you don't trust Ben.
- Well, I don't know.

When an old-timer
like that starts letting...

men and horses
slip up on him,
I've got to wonder why.

Ben Harper wouldn't
have anything to do
with horse stealing.

You told me how
he talked to Hobson.

What'd you expect him
to say?

"Gee, Cal, we sure
slipped it over
on these two suckers."

- Something like that?
- It was his idea
to go to Soapie's.

Now, how do you
explain that?

Maybe he explained it
himself yesterday...

when he said a thief
isn't interested in a horse...

that isn't
already broken.Now, look.

I know you're under
a lot of pressure,
and I can appreciate that.

But if your idea of experience
means that I've gotta suspect
a man like Ben Harper...

of being a horse thief,

then I'm glad
I'm still green.

Well, I see you got
some of the boys
to come back.

I appreciate it,
Mr. Sutton.

But it's stretchin' things
to think we could
get the job done.

We still haven't got
enough men.

Mr. Williams?
There's one more
if you count me.

We don't.

Why, Ben?
You know we need
every hand we can get.

That's my private business
and not yours.

All right.
I'll agree to that.

But I'm hiring men.

Dewey wants to sign on,
I'll just have to figure...

you settled it between you.

Sure is pretty country,
isn't it?

It will be when
we find a herd.

Roy.

You head east.
See what you can find.

We'll keep workin'
straight ahead.

Hey, Joe!
Over there!

There they are.

Move up a little closer.
Find a spot to make camp.

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

I remember, Pa,
when I was very little,

you used to tell me about
how you walked down
a herd of mustangs.

And after you'd leave,
I'd pretend I was doing it.

Except my herd of mustangs
wasn't nothin' but a pair
of yearling calves.

I don't suppose you'd let me
go with you this time,
would you, Pa?

Now, look, boy.

You left Fort Worth
without my permission.

You come along mustangin'
against my will.

All right, you're here.

But you a cook's helper.
That's all.

Why?

'Cause I said so.

What is it, Pa?
How come you're so dead set
against me being here?

Gotta get started.

Pa!

Pack enough up
for me, Ben.
I'm goin' with you.

I don't usual
take nobody along.

Well, we haven't got time
to do things the usual way.

We're gonna have to
double up on everything.

I reckon he's right, Ben.

If you run into trouble,
you might need some help.

Then I'll choose
my own company.

I'll take David.

Well, I've never walked down
a herd before, Ben.

Maybe you'd do better
to take somebody
more experienced.

Ain't nothin' you need to know
I can't tell you.

We just keep chasin'
those mustangs day and night,

so they don't get
no time to rest.

He'll do all right.

[ David ] Looks like maybe
they're getting ready
to bed down for the night.

We don't rush 'em, now.
Just ease towards 'em.

Let 'em see us--
just enough to spoil
their plans a little.

Ben?

You wanna talk about it?

- About what?
- Whatever's on your mind.

It shows, huh?

You're like you'd chew
somebody's head off
if you had the chance.

Well, if that foreman
of yours was here,
I just might.

He's got a pretty big
problem, Ben.

So have I.

Ain't got no cause to meddle.
Gettin' Joe to bring Dewey--

I don't want him here.Why not?

Cause he ain't gonna be
no mustanger. That's why.

Maybe he wouldn't
take to it anyway.

'Course he'd would,
just like I did.

Who wouldn't want to match wits
with that stallion out there?

Most excitin' thing
a man ever did.

You'll see.

You'll see just
how tricky it gets.

Won't be long before he knows
that I'm not just passin' by.

And I'll follow that manada
right back over its own trail,
just where he left 'em.

They'll run by night
and try to rest during the day.

But I won't let 'em.

Neither would Dewey.

I, uh--
I saw it in his eyes.

He's got a natural-born
hankerin' for horses,

and I don't aim to let it
get a firm hold on him.

Boy that smart can't spend
the rest of his life
on the range like I did.

Doesn't he want
to finish his school?

It makes no difference
if he does or not.

He's goin' to.

Well, they left
their flag.

They ought to be here
pretty soon.I'm sure not anxious to hear...

what Pa's gonna say
when he sees I've come along.

Well, he'll blame me
for that.

He used to like
havin' me around.

Always did his best
to keep the family together--

till I was of school age.

Then he left me
with Mama in Fort Worth.

Even then, he'd get back
as often as he could.

Seemed like the only thing
he had on his mind was
for me to get an education.

Well, what's wrong
with that?

Oh, nothin'.
It just took money.

I had to take care of Mama
when she got sick,
and I had to work too.

Finally, there just wasn't
any money left.

He made a lot of good money
in the old days...

bettin' on how long
he could stay with a bronc.

If he wasn't too old
to win bets,

I bet you he'd pile up enough
to stick me back in school...

so fast I wouldn't know
what happened.

But I don't see how we're
gonna be able to do it
on a dollar a day.

Cal Hobson offered him
double the money.

- Cal Hobson is a horse thief.
- Well, no offense.

I don't know of anything
anybody's proved
against Hobson yet.

Well, I'll take
Joe Williams's word for it.

My Pa wouldn't be caught dead
even talkin' to him.

Maybe he is a little
hardheaded,

but he sure ain't
no horse thief.Who isn't?

Howdy, David.

Who isn't a horse thief?

Nobody, I guess.
Where's Ben?Watching the herd.

How y'all doin'?

All right, I guess.You guess?

I'm really not an
authority, you know.

You, uh, stayin'
with 'em all right?

We lose 'em,
but we find 'em again.

They can't fool Ben.

They slowing down any?

A little, I guess.

Yes.

Ben says, in about two days,
we'll separate the stallion
from the manada,

and then the men can
start gathering up
the horses.

[ Blustering ]

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

You think
this is a good idea?

He insisted.

Some things you
just can't tell a man.

He's got to find out
for hisself. [ Horses Approaching ]

Well, Joe, looks like you've
done real well for yourself.

Is that what you rode
out here to find out?

Now, Joe, I didn't know
you'd go out again.

No, actually, I'm looking
for a herd for meself.

I just bet you are.

Someday, Joe, I'm going to
take exception to your remarks.

Now, you do that, Hobson.

And, while you're thinkin'
about it, why don't you
ride outta here?

Let me have him!

[ Groaning ]

You hurt, Pa?
You all right?

I'm all right.
I'm all right.You shouldn't have tried it.

No. Leave me be.Come on, Pa.
You know your side's all--

I said leave me be!

Ben, I'm sorry.

I never should've let you
get up on that pile driver.

Shouldn't a' letme?

This is Ben Harper
you talkin' to!

Now you hold on.
You're not as young
as you used to be.

You gotta face up to that.You get outta my way.

I'll show you who-- [ Dewey ]
All right, let him go.

- Yeah! Yeah!
- Dewey.

[ Horse Blustering ]

Whoa, whoa. Whoa.

Whoa. Whoa. Whoa.

Whoa.

Whoa. Whoa.

[ Muttering ]

[ Laughing ]

Pa! Hey, Pa?

He's not here,
Dewey.Well, where'd he go?

I imagine somewhere
where he could be alone.

Is he mad at me?

I don't reckon he's too happy
with anyone right now,
least of all himself.

I wouldn't--
wouldn't try
to find him just yet.

Besides, we've got
some talkin' to do.

No use broodin', Ben.
It's not the end of the world.

My offer's still good, lad.

- I've got a job.
- Doing what?

And for how long?

Every man comes
to a crossroads, Ben.

You know?
A time to look at things
as they are.

To reevaluate.

You know? Hey?

For instance, uh,

there may be a way for you
to make more money
in a few days...

than you've ever made
in your whole life before.

And you'd never have
to look down on the ears
of a mustang again--

until he was ready to ride.

Never?

Never.

All right.
[ Laughs ]

All right, Ben.

I know how you feel.

You got to strike out
at somebody.

But it doesn't change anything,
and you know it.

Look. I'll be at Soapie's
for a couple of days.

You can ride out there
and back in a night.

Nobody'll ever know
you've gone.

Think it over, Ben.

Thanks, Roy.

Pick a spot.

Get it off your chest.

- Well, I--
- This time I've gone
too far, right?

- Well, I think--
- I had no right to hire Dewey
to break the horses, right?

- Right.
- Then who's gonna do it?

You. Joe. Even me.

Come on, David.

You saw Dewey ride.
He's got the touch.
He's here and he's willing.

Plan on driving a useless herd
of horses back to Shiloh?

Maybe there's something
more important
than breaking horses...

or driving cattle--
or making a few
more dollars a head.

Maybe what happens to a man
who just wants...

what's best for his son
is more important.

Maybe what happens to that boy
is more important...

than what happens
to a bunch of animals.

Wait a minute. I didn't ask in
on their family fight.

Maybe not,
but you're in it anyway.

You couldn't have gone more
against Ben if you were trying.

I'm not going against anybody.
I've got a job to do.

If it doesn't happen
to suit Ben Harper,
that's just too bad.

The job's going to get done.

- Well, he deserves
more than that.
- For what?

He almost got himself killed
trying to ride that bronc...

because he wanted to help me.

He just didn't want me to
have to feel responsible...

for losing that herd,
so he offered to help.

He didn't have to do that.

So you go on
and tell me why he did.

[ Nickering ]

What are you doing up here?
I'm the last watch.

I'm not here
to take your place, Roy.

- But I'd sure appreciate
your help.
- Help?

I'm gonna rope
one of those broncs,
saddle him and ride him.

Now?

It's important to me, Roy--

maybe the most
important thing I ever did.

Why, you're plumb
outta your mind.

I can't argue that,

but I'm gonna do it anyway.

You gonna help me or not?

[ Sighs ]

[ Whinnying ]

Ben, this is
just plain crazy.

[ Whinnying Continues ]

[ Roy ]
Ben! Roll outta the way, quick!

[ Joe ]
You men,
help with that horse.

What are you trying
to do, Ben?

You know blamed well
what I was tryin' to do.

But I guess
you was right, Joe.

I just ain't fast enough
for 'em any more.

[ Virginian ]
Ben?

That's was a pretty
hardheaded horse
you had there.

A little like some
people you know maybe.

I mean--

A man can get
all wrapped up
in buying horses and...

delivering the best herd
he knows how,

and, well--

Sometimes a man
can forget...

that the other fella's
got important things
on his mind too.

I mean,

sometimes a man gets
in another fella's way...

without really
meaning to, and--

Give him a little time.

He's taken quite a beating
for one day.

Only because he asked for it.

And, I'll tell you
something else.
He's wrong.

Not because he wants his son
to have an education.

Because he's trying
to force him into it.

Dewey happens to want
the horse business.

If you think there's
something wrong with that,

you haven't paid much attention
to those history books you read.

You know, man would
still be in his cave...

trying to figure out
what to do with the wheel,
if it hadn't been for the horse.

He'd never have gotten
near as far as he has on foot.

And he's got a sight
further to go.

If Dewey wants to help him
down the road,

then I think
that's his business.

It certainly isn't any
of yours-- or mine.

I can do it, Pa.

I can be the best--
same as you.

You saw me ride.

Yeah. I saw you.Hold this.

Just like watchin' myself
up there...

a long time ago.

Oh, I remember the praise
and the back-slapping.

Why, with just one ride,
I could really become somebody.

First time anybody
ever knew what my name was.

Yes, Son, I tell you,
it's a nice, warm,
cozy feelin'...

knowing you're
the best there is.

Kind of feeling I never
wanted you to know, Dewey.

No, not here.

Not bustin' broncs.

It's not enough,
rattlin' around...

in this tight little world
of mustangin'.

Why, there's a whole
big country out there.

But it's different than this,

and you've gotta
get yourself ready for it.

Pa, I like it here.
I like horses.

You spend a lifetime
fightin' them,

and you'll learn
to hate 'em.

Yeah. I hate 'em.

It's war, Dewey,
and them cayuses out there
are the enemy,

and they'll always win
in the end.

Every year, there's
new ones comin' along--

always young.

But you keep gettin' older.

Yeah, I saw you
on that mustang
and saw myself.

Now you look at me
and see yourself
20 years from now.

All right, Pa. Fine.

But who are we foolin'?

It's gonna take more
than you and I could save
in a lifetime...

to beat the odds
on the outside.

Sure, I'd like
to take a whack at it,
if I had the money.

But it's not gonna happen,
and that's the truth.

It could happen, Dewey.
It can happen.

No, Pa.
This is where I belong.

And I ain't gonna
tear myself to pieces
wishin' I didn't.

Feelin' better, Ben?

Well, to tell the truth, Joe,
I don't feel too perky.

Get on back
into your bedroll.

I'll get one of the boys
to cover for you
for a few days.

No. No.

I'll just go on back
to the place, I reckon.

All right. Suit yourself.

Just remember, you ain't
as young as you used to be.

Hi, Ben. Now, what
can I do for you?

- Just gimme a beer, Soapie.
- Put it on my bill, Soapie.

I can pay for my own,
thank you.

[ Snaps Fingers ]

[ Coins Jingle ]

[ Coins Jingle ]

What you said before--
the offer still good?

Just one thing.

Those horses don't get touched
until Joe Williams
gets paid for them...

and they're on their way
to the Wyoming Territory.

Now, he don't deserve
to take the loss.

I ain't so fussy
about that Shiloh foreman.

[ Chuckles ]

[ Hide Hisses ]

[ Horses Approaching ]

[ Horse Whinnies ]

Look who's back.Yeah.

Well, how you feelin', Ben?

All right?Yeah.

A little time
took care of it.

Sorry I haven't been able
to be much help,

but, well, maybe I can
make up for it.

Well, we're leaving tomorrow.

Joe's going back to his ranch,
but Roy and the others...

are gonna stay with us
and give us a hand.

You'll need more than that
to drive those horses
back to Shiloh.

Looks like I ain't gonna get
Dewey outta here no other way.

- So if you'll have us,
we'll go along.
- You talk to Dewey about it?

I just talked to him.
He's willin'.

Well, all right, fine.
Dollar a day apiece.

Thank you.

You sure you're
feeling all right, Ben?

Ben?Huh?

You feeling all right?
You haven't said a word
all day.

Ain't no need to.
Hah! Hah!

Pa?Hmm?

It's almost 4:30.

[ Coughs ]

Roy.

Roy, let's go.

Ben?

I thought I was supposed
to stand watch with you tonight.

No. Roy's with me.

Let's go.

[ Rustling ]

[ Groans ]

[ Imitates Bird Call ]

The horses are gone!

Ben! Ben.

Ben.

Ben! Ben, wake up.

He's hurt.

He's coming around, Dewey,
but he's got a pretty good
lump on his head.

Anybody know what time
Ben went on watch?

4:30. I was awake.

Then they couldn't have gotten
much of a head start.

This time, we trail 'em.
Let's go.

[ Groans ]

Hold up.

If this is Hobson,
he sure isn't
headed for home.

Straight for the border,
looks like.

That would account
for the disappearance
of the other herd--

far enough away so the brand
wouldn't be recognized.

Dewey.

Looks like he's
still headin' south.

Now, there's a little town
about two hours' ride
from here-- Perryton.

Ride over there
and get the sheriff...

and maybe a couple of men,
if you can.

When we catch up
with those horse thieves,

I don't want there to be
any doubt about the outcome.Hyah!

Hey.

Well, we're in the clear.

We'll be across the border
in about half an hour.

And then we can make camp early,
and we'll do something
about the brands, right?

Hah! Come on. Come on.

You were right.
It's Cal Hobson.

Looks like he's doin' a little
artwork on your Shiloh brand.How many men does he have?

Looked like 10, 12 maybe.

We'll have to wait
for Dewey for sure.

I could ride out
toward Perryton. Maybe pick
him up, show him where we are.

All right, Roy.Come on.

All right,
let's get some rest.

No fires.

Ben?

You about ready to tell me
what's ailin' you?

You know. Dewey.

You sure
there's nothing else?

With Hobson, there's bound
to be shootin'.

Now, just in case
I don't make it,

I want you to see
that Dewey gets this.

What makes you think
I got a better chance
than you have?

Well, I just want you
to know where it is.
That's all.

One of us should make it.

It's all I own
in the world,

and I want Dewey to have it.

Now, you'll see to it,
won't you?

I'll see to it.

[ Whinnies ]

Turn him loose.

Come on, get a move on.
We haven't got all day.

You asleep?

- What's up?
- I want to talk to you.

Want some jerky?

Thanks, but I think
I'm about to eat some crow.

I think Ben didn't want me
to stand watch with him
the other night...

because he didn't want
to have to hit a friend.

I think he's been avoiding me
because he--

Well, he's got
a guilty conscience,

and it wouldn't be easy
talking to the one that's
always stuck up for him.

- Now, wait a minute.
Wait a minute.
- I'm not through yet.

I also think I let Ben get away
just because I wasn't
ready to believe it...

and took so long--Get away?

I think he left
to warn Hobson.

Are you sure?

No.

But I think we can be,

if we look inside
a leather pouch
that's buried over there.

Whoa. You left a good trail.
No trouble following you at all.

What's wrong?

Did Hobson get away?

- No, no. He's still there.
- Well, let's get after him.

What's the matter?

Where's Pa?

He's not here,
Dewey.

Well, where is he then?

We think he's with Hobson.

With--

- We think he's one of them.
- Liar! You liar!

My pa's
not a horse thief!

Dewey. Dewey.
I don't want
to believe it either.

I hope
we're wrong.

He left this for you.

I think you better open it.

I don't want this.

You don't know
where it came from.
Put it in your pocket.

I said I don't want it.

I said put it
in your pocket.
Let's go, boys.

I'm going with you.

I want to hear it
from Pa.

Cal!

Cal.

Ben, what?

You gotta
get movin' right now.
They trailed you.

They're sittin' out there,
only waitin' for help
from Perryton.

You heard him.
Get moving.

Run the horses off.
Get started.

Yeah! Come on!

[ Men Shouting ][ Horses Whinnying ]

I need a horse.

You go back. Maybe you'll be
able delay them for a while.

I can't do that.
Sutton's on to me, I think.

- Go back!
- No.

[ Gunshots ]Come on! Hurry!

Give up! Give up!

Be a long time before you
hold a branding iron
again, Hobson.

A long time.

Ben? Ben.

Where's Dewey?

Dave, does he know?
Where is he?

[ Virginian ]
He's over here, Ben.

[ Gasps, Moans ]

[ Sobbing ]

[ Sobbing ]