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Subtitles by explosiveskull

You here looking for work?

I'm afraid not.

Says he's not here looking for work, boys.

Perhaps a drink then.

Before I ask as to what your business is here,

may I inquire as to whether or not you are a veteran, sir?

I am.

Well, damn those Yankees.

Damn them and damn their ideals.

Ran me out of my home.

Ran me out of my state.

State that I bled for.

State that I gave sons for.

Are you aware of who I am, boy?

I am.

General.

And what's your name?

Breecher.

Well, Mr. Breecher,

I am beginning to tire of this exercise,

and I would like for you to state your goddamn business.

Pinkertons.

Spied on us through the whole war.

I'm afraid I may have cut the throats of many

an innocent private because I thought they might be working

for the Pinkertons.

So what now, Pinkerton detective?

General Corbin Dandridge, you are a wanted war criminal

and you have been sentenced to hang.

I'm here to see that those wishes are carried out.

And how exactly do you plan on carrying that out?

Can start by finding an oak tree big enough

to hold a man of your stature.

How did you find me?

A snake is not hard to find

when you flip over enough rocks, General.

Well, I'll not be swingin' from an oak tree today.

And the fact that you thought you could come here

and execute me proves your utter stupidity.

Do you refuse to come quietly, General?

Whatever happens next ain't gonna happen quietly.

But I'm gonna let you have one last drink.

One last drink before you meet the worms for yourself.

'Cause I assure you, sir,

you will not be afforded the courtesy of a pine box.

Drink that whiskey, boy.

What is it, Henry?

There's a telegram from your man, sir.

To Senator Benjamin Burke.

Correspondence from Mathias William Breecher.

Confederate General Corbin Dandridge

refused to come peacefully.

Defensive measures were taken

which resulted in the general's violent demise.

Two other warrants have been served.

Will notify you again

when wire and carrier become available.

To those who truly believed in the Confederate cause,

surrender was never an option.

None of these men will let themselves be hanged, sir.

These people thought that justice would never find them.

I can only imagine their surprise when a man arrived

to stretch their neck.

Most men would never take kindly to such a proposal, sir.

Did we take so kindly to chains and shackles, Henry?

And now that I'm in a position of power,

I intend to make an example of such men.

I've waited a long time to find somebody

to take on this task.

Someone that did not fear the endeavor.

Someone that I could put faith in to see it through.

This task, the man you have chosen, this Mathias Breecher

are necessary tools to move forward into a brighter future.

Harlan.

Breecher.

Now you come in a peaceful manner

or should I be lookin' for cover?

You killed a general.

Now how might you know that?

Took me the better part of a year to track down

that old Dandridge.

Night and day, I was asking folks

from the Mississippi to the Colorado.

Ran into a trapper near Deadwood.

Said he'd heard of a man fought on the losing side

in the war making a living down south.

I arrived at that camp.

There was wolves picking at the bones.

Nothing there to salvage, not even any scalps.

I'm sorry to have disappointed you, Harlan.

Not a lot of bounties out there at the moment.

Would lead a man such as myself to believe

that the two of us might cross paths sometime soon.

We do not live

in the most peaceful of occupations, my friend.

No, we do not.

So how do we avoid seeing each other for a while?

You could always retire.

I'm working on it.

However, you might take your own advice on the issue.

And where would a man like me go, Mathias?

My lands, they're nearly gone.

The trail, this horse, this job.

All I have.

You know, settling down in old age would not suit me.

I have always respected you, Mathias.

You've been honest, just, fair, and honorable.

For a white man, that is a rare attribute.

Sometime soon, Mathias,

you and I will have to exchange fire with one another.

It is inevitable.

Well, when that time does come, Harlan,

whoever the victor, may death be quick and merciful.

Good bye, Mathias.

Good bye, Harlan.

Ain't never heard of him.

It was a good offer, woman.

I cannot guarantee there'll be another one.

We don't need another offer.

My answer has been and will be no.

It is unwise not to take

Mr. Quaid's generosity into consideration.

Get off my land.

Mam.

Come on, let's go.

Can I help you?

It is quite possible that you just might.

That depends on what you're lookin' for.

I must say I'm not in a very trusting or kindly way today.

I'm looking for Reginald Cooke.

You state your business with him,

and it better not be about buying this here land.

Old friend.

You came to say good bye?

Good bye?

You don't know.

Know what, mam?

Sarah, my name is Sarah.

Okay then, Sarah.

If you are my father's friend, then I'm being rude.

I'm sure your horse could use some shade and water.

And I got some still hot coffee inside.

Why don't you come this way?

Thank you.

I know my father will be happy

to see a friendly and familiar face.

Your father?

The only one I got.

Come on.

Your horse should be fine out there.

We haven't seen any snakes as of late,

and we got a tabby cat that keeps the rats at bay.

All right, come, sit.

Thank you.

So how do you know my father?

We fought in the same war.

And you're proud of that, are ya?

No.

Not many men would say as much.

Most of 'em are too proud.

Well, I am proud of very few things, mam.

Well, that's no way to live now.

I'm sorry, I forgot to ask you your name.

How rude of me.

Breecher, Mathias William Breecher.

Strong name.

Your father, what's wrong with him?

He has the deep cough, what they call the pneumonia.

He has trouble breathin', even talkin' sometimes.

For a while, I had the doctor comin' out every other day,

but then it all seemed futile.

So I'm doing the best I can for him,

but he's living on borrowed time.

I'm sorry.

Thank you.

I'm sorry you have to see him like this.

You know, he was such a strong man,

but then you know all about that.

Would you like to see him now?

That might be best.

Father, you have a visitor.

Well, I'll leave you both to it.

Ring your bell if you need anything.

Right now I'm not the brightest, warmest fire

on the coldest, darkest night.

So forgive me if I don't recognize a friendly face.

No forgiveness needed, sir.

Did you serve under me?

I did not.

Work for me?

No, sir.

Well, how the hell did we ever cross paths?

Our paths have not crossed until just now, sir.

Oh boy.

I waited a long, long time for someone like you to come.

I always knew that my sins would catch up to me.

I did a bunch of terrible things in the war,

and I always knew at one time

I was gonna have to atone for it.

I assume you did some soldiering.

I have.

It's in your eyes.

You got it, I got it, anybody that fought in the war gets it

because you can't get rid of the stench of death.

When you take a life, you never, ever forget it.

I know you got it.

The warrant, let me see it.

Read it and make it proper.

You know your crimes, Captain.

You don't need to call me Captain.

Who are you kiddin'?

That was a long time ago.

Like I said, Mr. Cooke, you and only you know your crimes.

And you can take them up with the good Lord

when you meet him for yourself.

What about my daughter?

What's gonna happen to her?

I cannot answer that, sir.

Why don't you just have the courage?

Shoot me right here in my bed.

Kill me.

Are you gonna drag me out by the goddamn willow tree?

No, not the willow tree

because that's where my wife is buried.

And I'll be goddamned if I'm gonna think of my daughter

going to visit her mother's grave

with an image of me swinging up above her at the time.

I will not hang you.

I will not shoot you.

I will let you pass as God sees fit.

But I will stay here for it.

It's my job to watch men like you take their last breath.

That is the burden I must carry in this life.

Heavy burden, isn't it, son?

Will these accommodations be all right?

More than all right, mam.

Sarah.

Sarah.

Come.

If you'll be needing to put your things anywhere,

we have a chest for you.

Feel free.

Thank you.

Why carry two?

Better to have two loaded guns when needed.

Any occupation that requires a man to carry such firepower

must be of mighty importance.

Or of the law-breaking kind.

But then it's none of my business what you do.

It's been such a long time since we've had a horse here.

Why's that?

Probably because we can't keep 'em alive.

Heck, we can barely keep ourselves alive.

You see, there's some men around here who would like to see

this land taken from us.

One man in particular goes by the name of Quaid.

It was his men you saw here this morning.

Now that Father is dying, he sees a greater opportunity.

They'll do anything to try and run us off.

This is tough country.

It takes an even tougher soul to tame it.

Fact is, you kept it going this long.

Means you got a lot of fight in you.

It's an admirable quality, Sarah.

Well, I'll leave you to it then.

You know, I'm making some stew.

I thought maybe you might want to join me.

Or if you're tired from your journey,

I will understand if you'd prefer to rest.

I can bring you a bowl.

I would love to join you.

All right then, I'll see you inside in just a little bit.

I hope it's all right.

I'm not exactly the best cook.

Anything is better than hard tack.

I suppose that's true.

So tell me, Mr. Breecher, did you really come all this way

just to see my father?

Please, call me Mathias.

I did.

And for reasons I should not be privy to?

No, but I would think them not much important now.

Father must have seen a bootfull of kindness in you

to ask you to stay like he did.

I mean, I have never seen him have overnight company.

I imagine we see eye to eye on a good many things.

I would hope so.

How long you been on the trail?

One year, six months, three days.

That's a long time.

Now you're really temptin' me to ask

what it is you do for a living.

I'm a detective.

You come to see my father.

You know, he became a different man after the war.

Haunted like.

He wouldn't tell me much about what happened,

but I know he regrets it.

He was afraid.

Afraid of possible repercussions from his actions.

And that's why he up and took us all the way out here

to the middle of nowhere.

He feared that somehow we'd be caught up

in whatever was comin' for him.

My mother, well, this land was just too hard for her.

She hated it, and she died shortly after we came here.

And for quite some time, I did blame him for that.

But there's good in him, I seen it.

He's trying to reform himself.

He built a decent life for me and him here.

He has changed.

Maybe I should go.

Please don't leave.

Whatever his sins, whatever his demons,

they die with him as will the past.

And what will you do, Sarah?

Oh, well I have given that a great deal of thought

as of late.

This land has been something of a challenge,

but nothin' would suit me better than to tame it.

A workin' farm then.

Yes, this is good land.

The rich earth for crops, for farmin'.

And I been thinkin' about my own cattle herd

for some time now.

I mean, that is a profitable venture.

Well I was a cattle drover on the plains for a short time.

It's hard work.

I would welcome it.

Why are you smiling?

It's a rare thing to meet a woman

with such perserverence and fortitude.

It's a welcome sight is all.

Well, thank you.

And what about you, Mathias Breecher?

What does the future hold for you?

Land?

And what might you do with it if bought?

Logging, farming, droving.

Anything that might have be finding my head on a pillow

instead of a rock or a log.

A place to call home.

I see.

Thank you for the supper and the conversation.

It was an unexpected pleasantry.

Which, my company or the stew?

I warned you.

I'll see you in the morning.

I look forward to it.

Sarah.

Afternoon, Mathias.

She's a hard worker.

I can see that.

It's not exactly the life that I wanted her to have.

I think she's done just fine for herself.

You raised her well, sir.

Maybe.

My days are numbered.

I'm sure that brings you some kind of joy.

I get no pleasure from watching you die, sir.

Would you do something for me?

Bring that chair over here so I can look you in the eye.

I'm dying, and my daughter has to watch it.

I need you to help me to the afterlife.

If I was to oblige you, it would involve a noose.

Oh no, it's gotta be out of sight.

I'm no sneak, sir.

What about poison?

That is murderous.

Murderous?

Jesus Christ, you use murder as a business.

What the hell is the difference between hanging me out there

on some goddamned tree or letting me consume something

to take my life?

If I hang you, it is by decree of the courts.

Poisoning you is murder.

It is not a justifiable way of death.

Justified, what the hell are you talking about justified?

You think you're justified?

You also are a bastard

because you are keeping a man from his dying wish.

Live with that.

This death is the best you'll get, and it's a favor.

Embrace it.

You piece of shit.

Everything okay?

Everything's fine.

A town nearby?

Yep, a few miles that-a-way.

What about that Quaid fella?

He live in that direction?

He does.

Lives off the main road about half a mile to the west.

I don't reckon you'll run into him.

Hey, boss.

You can get yourself shot

ridin' onto a man's ranch, stranger.

State your business.

Cooke homestead.

What about it?

I'm asking you to leave it be.

Is that a fact?

I'm willing to pay.

Pay?

I don't need money, but I need that land.

What's your relation to her?

Just a friend.

Just a friend.

I don't think so.

I think she went out and got herself a hired gun.

Well, like I said, I don't need the money.

But I do like entertainment now and then.

You a gambling man?

I enjoy a good card game.

I'm not talking about a goddamn card game.

Here's the deal, you beat my best man,

and that little bitch can keep her land.

What's on the other end of this deal?

There is no other end.

Hector.

Come on.

It's over.

Get off my land.

Whoa, boy.

Who did this to you?

It was a fair fight.

Looks like you gave as good as you got.

What happened?

Simple arrangement.

Arrangement?

That man Quaid won't be bothering you anymore.

Mathias?

Yeah.

Please, come inside.

I'm afraid I'm filthy, Sarah.

Yes, you are.

Please.

I was boiling water today, awaitin' your return.

I thought you might want to wash up proper.

I even made you some soap.

Now it seems even more appropriate.

I do not have much to offer in return for all the help.

I hope this will suffice.

Your shirt is filthy.

I could wash it for you.

Here, let me help you.

Here, get comfortable, I'll bring you some towels.

Pardon the intrusion,

but I think that those wounds need some attendin' to.

Do you mind if I help?

No man should endure such pain.

Hazards of the occupation.

No amount of money or pride or honor is worth all of this.

I think there must be plenty of other men,

with scars or without,

who could pick up where you might leave off.

I do not know how to be still, Sarah.

I think you could learn how.

I think that you're afraid.

I think that...

I think that you and violence have a relationship

only you can understand.

And I think that you're afraid, sorry,

of what might happen if you let it go.

I'm afraid of what I might become if I do.

You would become and even better man.

Go.

Here, Father.

I'm sorry.

There's nothing to be sorry for.

It's me who should be sorry.

No.

Yeah, I dragged your mother and you out here.

And now I'm leaving you.

I have everything I need because you raised me right.

I did unspeakable things, things I can't ever even...

Just can you understand that?

I know about them, but that was so many years ago.

All this time has passed, and yet you still live

each and every day as though those deeds and that war

was just a fortnight ago.

Father, do you repent of those deeds?

I don't know.

Well, I'm not your final judge and jury.

But I forgive you, Daddy.

You are forgiven.

All your family always loved you.

And I will be okay here.

I will be okay in this world.

God, I love you.

I love you too.

Hyah!

What the hell is that?

Son of a bitch.

What happened to our deal, Quaid?

We still have a deal.

Here it is.

No!

Father.

Father.

Father, Father.

I don't know why I'm crying.

I knew it was coming sooner or later.

You saw it happening a different way.

Thank you for being an honorable man.

I know you had a job to do, but you let him go out

on the terms that God had thrust upon him.

And when the time came, he chose not to lie on his back

and die in his bed but come out in front

and protect his home and his family.

And I suppose that was the best death he was gonna get.

Besides, we don't get paid enough for what we do as it is.

Just make sure the sheriff doesn't find out.

Hey, stranger.

What's your business in our little town?

This here place has the best liquor.

This saloon have a hotel?

Si.

Us girls ain't so bad either.

Mam.

Hello, what can I do for you?

I need a room, just a few nights.

Nothing fancy, just a clean pillow and a bed.

I have a room upstairs at the end of the hall.

That'll do just fine.

If I can just get your signature please.

What kind of town is this?

Used to be a mining town.

Mine go bust?

Long time back.

The whole town was going bust until a man came in here

and got this place up and running.

Suppose everyone needs their whiskey and good times.

Regardless of how this place looks,

it's been a profitable venture for the man.

Not a fan of the job?

Not a fan of the man.

So what brings you to our town?

Just passin' through.

On your way to Texas?

Something like that.

Most travel on through from California.

You might find this town is not the friendliest of places.

But it is all some of us have.

The brown mare outside, it's mine.

I'll see that he's properly tended to,

but it's compliments of the establishment.

Thank you, mam.

Room eight, that end of the hall.

Gentlemen, pair of fours.

Give me a little more of that, darlin'.

Watch your back with those.

Sleeves over there.

- Yep, I'll lose. - Yeah, arms.

Queen, queen, 10 wins.

Oh, I can't do anything.

Barkeep, I need a drink.

A new face is always refreshing.

Not interested.

Maybe I'm not either.

And maybe I'm just lookin' for somebody to talk to.

Care to go upstairs to that room of yours

and relieve your troubles?

It's rude not to drink with a lady.

Honey, how about a ride, darlin'?

Jasper, I told you once already, I ain't lookin'

to be shakin' the chandeliers with you tonight, understand?

And why is that?

What in the Sam hill I do to you to score me as such?

I am working, can't you see that?

What's this swingin' dick got that I ain't got?

Class for one thing.

And who the hell even are you, Mister, huh?

Ain't seen your likeness around these parts before.

I'm just a short stop on a very long journey.

Ought to be careful how you talk to me.

Is that a fact?

Might be.

Either it is or it isn't.

Jasper, please, don't do this.

Get back behind the goddamn bar, Alice.

The customer hasn't done anything.

Now!

Back to you.

You sure you want to draw that pistol

on a man you never met, boy?

Didn't think it through, did you?

Whiskey's got your mind all screwed up

like a river that doesn't run straight.

I'm gonna let you go now.

Before I do, I'll give you a little information

just in case you feel like drawing that steel.

Each and every morning I wake up, I head into that sun

and I am prepared to shake hands with Mr. Grim himself.

Can you say the same?

You're fast, I'll give you that.

But I do think I have the advantage here.

Trust me, sir, I have no intent of doing you harm.

If I know my deputy,

you were in true form to relieve him of his gun hand.

Boys, get Jasper over to the doctor.

Make sure he has a good look-over.

I do apologize for my deputy.

Well, you seem to have a lot of 'em.

Well, a man can never be too careful when he has enemies.

Please have a seat.

Now I like to try to get to know the people

that come through my town.

I like to know their intentions.

Like most do, he's just travelin' through.

On his way to Texas, he said.

Well, thank you, Alice.

Well, I suppose that takes care of that then.

Just another stranger passin' through, lookin' for a bed.

Well, as much as I'd like to hear about your adventures

and your journey, I'm sorry,

it's gonna have to wait till another time.

I have other matters that need my attendin'.

Honey, oh, you're so sweet.

Alice, was Jackson here early this mornin'?

He was, he was here all night with Honey.

He left this mornin'.

And what are we gonna do about that, Honey?

What do we do to thieves in my town?

I'll give 'em all the money back.

Look, it's all here, see?

Well, then that takes care of that.

Nine, 10, 11, 12.

You put the value of your life at $12?

Well, whore or no whore,

that's a pretty cheap price for a woman, wouldn't you agree?

Thieves of any kind will suffer the consequences.

Those are my rules, you all know them.

I expect you to follow them.

Come here, Alice.

I hired you to look after this place.

If you cannot keep these ladies in line, I will find

someone else to do the job, do you understand me?

Good.

Now clean up Honey.

She's making a mess of my floor.

Coffee?

Yes, we shall have coffee in the mornin'.

That is if you're still here, sir.

Good whiskey should never go wasted,

especially in this town.

Good night.

I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. Breecher.

May I have a few minutes?

I've seen what the sheriff can do.

I've known men like him all my life,

men with a hatred deep within.

It's an appetite

for someone else's pain, misery, destruction,

and it is never ending.

I'm begging you, please, leave our town tonight.

A man such as yourself is a threat.

He will see you dead for that.

I can't live another day seeing more blood spilled

on these floors.

Are you a man of God, Mr. Breecher?

I find that it eases the fear of death.

There's an old mission out back.

That's my escape from all of them.

I go there to be alone, to think.

I pray.

I pray for the help that will never come.

And I will go there tonight to light a candle for Honey,

for that is all I know to do.

Why not just leave this place?

There is no place to go.

Some of us have a past that we have run from

and it has led us all here to this town, to this place

that we must endure.

It's our purgatory, I think.

Drag his ass out.

Good mornin', sir.

I'm an early riser, always have been.

Sleep evades me, always has when my mind runs rampant

with thoughts of the past.

You see, I came to this town many years ago.

Was a rough place as one can imagine

any town that just struck silver might be.

And I saw an opportunity.

Wearing that badge is a privilege, not an opportunity.

Well said, sir.

You see, before I settled here,

I wandered wherever a job would have me.

Because I possess a special skill set,

and that skill set allows me the ability to read men.

And I have met many through the years, all kinds.

Honorable men, cowards,

drunkards, and thieves.

And every man has a very distinct look in their eyes.

And if you have the skill,

you can tell what their intentions are.

I knew you wasn't no bounty hunter.

Too calculated, too professional.

Several months ago, a friend of mine

who used to write to me quite frequently

was killed and his whole outfit left to rot

and be picked apart by the vultures and the crows.

And I thought, who could have done such a thing?

Especially to that angry old bear that I once knew.

General Corbin Dandridge.

Now it's not just anyone who could've

just up and got his ghost,

and everybody was talkin' about one man.

And here you are.

Ah, a man of vision, a man of dreams.

But yet still a man.

And what are men to do, Jasper,

but to suffer for their dreams?

But not before we have some fun.

That's mine.

Thank you kindly.

Let's see here, Detective Mathias Breecher.

Well, you must be good to have gotten the drop on

old Dandrige, but I would ascertain that the outcome of this

situation might be a bit different than you expected.

Is there anything you'd like to say, Detective?

Captain Huxley Wainwright,

you are a convicted war criminal.

Water.

Enough.

And you have been sentenced to hang.

Again.

Enough.

I am here

to see those wishes carried out.

I used to burn whole villages,

hung women and children of all colors,

all in the name of the Confederacy.

But alas, that war is over.

Do you refuse to come quietly?

Jasper, take this son of a bitch outside of town

and bury him, alive.

Christ, this hurts.

You done complaining yet, you little baby?

You trying gettin' shot in the hand.

You check his pockets?

For what?

You idiot, this here's a government official.

They make a good livin', more than us.

Woo, what I tell ya?

Drinks on me tonight.

You're alive?

Oh my God, what can I do?

What do you need?

My things in my room.

Let me get you a doctor.

No.

Is there a wire service in town?

Yes, there is.

Graphite, something to write on, hurry.

Here.

I need you to send this immediately.

It is of urgent concern.

Wait for the reply, come straight back.

Go, please.

A sheriff.

A man of the law.

Once can only begin to guess what his judgment would be

in matters like this.

Someone saw fit to put this man, this Huxley Wainwright,

into a position of power.

What do I tell a man like Mathias to do here, Henry?

It's a road that's not usually crossed.

It's badge against badge.

I find myself in unfamiliar territory.

Sir, you've come too far to not see this through.

He has come too far.

Tell me, Henry, what do I say to a man that I have

given such a heavy responsibility,

a man that has given his own blood?

What words best suit the upcoming storm?

Tell him this, sir.

I have your reply.

Read it, please.

In regard to one Detective Mathias William Breecher,

information received, proceed at your own discretion.

By any means necessary.

Four of the deputies are outside having breakfast.

Deacon and a few others are in the cantina.

Where's the sheriff?

If I had to venture a guess,

I'd say he's at the other end of town in his office.

Take it.

It's best you stay here, Alice, out of harm's way.

Should anything happen to me,

please see that this letter finds a Miss Sarah Cooke.

Details of her location are inside.

Thank you.

Please, don't kill me!

- Please, Mister! - Shut up.

Shut up!

Shoot him, please!

- Shoot him. - Put the gun down, Mister.

Hey, you don't die easy, do you?

Well, you know that old saying.

You want a good job done, you got to do it yourself.

I didn't get to where I'm at by being slow.

Neither did I.

Well alrighty, Detective, what do you say we give

these folks a good, old-fashioned dime novel showdown?

Oh, oh, you're hurt real bad.

Someone fetch the doctor!

My horse.

My horse.

Okay, okay.

Alice, I need you to send...

I know, I'll send 'em a report

and tell 'em what happened here.

It'll be well-worded.

The town is yours now.

Didn't ride straight to the doctor.

Means you got something more important

than your own health, my friend.

You deserve peace, Mathias.

I'm stained, broken.

I am unfit for it.

You were borne of violence.

Now be still.

Knife's Edge, it's about a day's ride south.

You'll find his body there.

He's yours.

Thank you, Harlan.

Sarah.

You're home.

This must be the saddle bum

they damn ran off our deer.

Well, we'll be.

You do that?

You run off our deer?

Only deer that's been through here passed that way,

about an hour ago, I reckon?

You calling me a damn liar?

Ain't one to judge a man before I've had a chance to meet him.

Wade McCurry.

Archie Ainsworth.

He ain't apologized for the deer.

That there's my brother Ben, we're out of Georgia.

Where do you hail from, Wade?

Cheyenne.

Before that?

Texas originally.

Pleasure is all mine.

And you reckon your brother might lower his sidearm?

Ain't going to shoot a fellow Southerner, are you Ben?

Hood's Texans, you know at the sight of them,

them damn Yankees just throw

down their guns, run like a wind.

You should have seen them at Checkamauga.

Yellow-belied cowards, the whole damn lot.

Running don't make a man of coward.

Who do you serve under?

Was it Hood?

What you all boys doing now?

We're heading west.

I heard there's a strike...

Shut your trap.

I ain't got no interest in mining.

That's like saying you ain't got no interest

in making it rich.

Can't rightly say I do.

The fact is, I'm trying my hand at farming.

Farming?

You don't look like no farmer I ever saw.

That's on account of being Deputy

of Cheyenne the last two years.

Well, Deputy, you ain't said who you served under.

I thought.

Hold it there, Ben.

We're keeping company with a deserter.

I thought.

Under Taylor then?

Not under Taylor.

Not under Smith.

Hector or Hood neither.

I served in the command of General Thomas.

Don't know no General Thomas.

Thought you boys said you're Checkamauga.

Yankee traitor!

Don't.

I got to go before a judge.

Promise me, next time,

a self-respecting Southerner asked you who you served under.

I ain't no traitor.

Next time you ought to lie.

I ain't no liar neither.

Yeah, just 'cause you made peace

with your past don't mean the world has.

Well, that damn well cooled off already.

I got to go before a judge or not?

No. It seems like a fair fight to me.

I'll just have stovetop Charlie bring his China man over.

Yep. You're going to be pig food.

Yes, you are you dirt.

Wade, seeing as how you ain't been around lately.

By the by, the way has been talking sounds

as though she's aiming to make a respectful man out of you.

Thank you kindly if you'd dispose of that for me.

Joe McCurry your Pa?

I reckon that depends on which one of us you're asking.

Don't you think you ought to read the thing?

Ain't as though he read any of mine.

That's your family.

No. This man said he'd shoot me if I ever came back to him.

This is why we have horses in the first place.

Can't ride them all day.

Just give me a gosh darn minute.

Shit. I'm starting to have second thoughts whether you're

going to be all right without me.

Hell Wade, you were my Deputy, it ain't like we're kin.

I ain't your responsibility.

I told you to quit about the damn letter.

My boy is hiding down in Mexico on account

of a killing over a girl.

That's a hanging offense.

And yet a day don't go by where me

and Janie don't think on him.

'Cause that's the thing about blood, Wade, ain't nothing

in this world can truly break it.

Come on.

He really threatened to shoot you?

I ain't home now, am I?

Well, ever occur to you

that he just might have changed his mind?

And so saith the Lord, "As the heavens are higher

than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways."

All we know is this world around us

and the people who inhabit it.

We trust your grace of love to...

This ain't no saloon.

Fine sermon Reverend.

Sure is. Ain't for his ears though.

There ain't no kind words ever escaped your father's lips

about that fella.

We are here to remember the dead not dishonor them

by brawling on their grave.

Well, this here greedy carpet bagging son

of a bitch is a doing your family the damn dishonor.

Now, you know, I would never do Joe no disrespect,

but it ain't right.

It'd be fine if you come stand by Heck and me.

Pa would've wanted it that way, I think.

You mean that?

He lost to you at cards more times that he could count.

Still he kept on coming back.

But you think you and Heck might maybe want to come

and visit the lonely old man one of these days?

You sing with me?

Shall we gather at the river

where bright angel feet have trod.

With its crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God.

Mr. Lane.

My apologies for the trouble my presence has caused.

As far as meetings with Three Penny Hank go,

I'd say yours wasn't all that bad.

Best not begrudge a man in mourning.

Me and your father were very close.

Well, ain't nobody else could stand neither of them.

Well, my thanks to you for allowing me to be in attendance.

You've come to understand a man sitting

across a negotiating table and your father was

as fine as he was hardheaded.

Well, perhaps one day soon, you'll get to know us that well.

Is that a fact?

I'm not my father, Mr. Lane.

And you certainly are not.

I do imagine you have an asking price.

Mr. Lane, you're paying respects to my father.

Business will be conducted at the proper time.

I appreciate your support in this.

Lady said her goodbyes.

Well, you let her know I'll be back

in a month's time with a bill of sale.

Well, I do think Martha aims to be done with this place,

a might bit sooner than that.

Tell me, Mr. Kirkland,

you ever traveled to Morris, Kansas?

I may have ridden through.

Well, I hear it used to be beautiful,

especially by firelight.

It'll be a pleasure doing business with you.

Damn mule got in the locoweed again.

I have to put it down.

It needed to be done.

Lane ain't by today.

He'll come.

A few weeks is what he said.

You got to eat.

I like how much you like my food.

We got enough.

These all the food we'll have in San Francisco?

Well, I heard took another herd up to Kansas.

It could be.

Cows are no better than crops.

We're opening a hotel.

I ain't exactly the hotel type.

We weren't exactly the farming type either.

It'll be a grand place.

Grandness in San Francisco with large green drinks,

a polished wood entrance, children running all through.

Lane's coming.

That ain't Lane.

Do we have to?

Stay in the house.

This McCurry place?

Who's asking?

I ain't angling for a fight.

Folks don't ride out this way lest they're angling

for something.

Be obliged if I could water my horses.

Been riding hard this last day.

Wrong way?

Got business with the McCurrys.

Ain't you heard?

Joe McCurry is dead.

I heard, I heard about James and Billy.

Dead too.

Dead? No they ain't.

See for yourself.

Stranger?

All of them.

If you want to water your horses, be on your way.

It's fine by me.

Why is he asking about my family?

Stay inside, he'll be gone soon.

Maybe you ask him how he knows Billy.

Thank you kindly.

I was wondering... Martha?

1 Oh, how'd you do so much growing?

It's Wade, your brother.

Best ride on out of here right now, mister.

It's been a while, I know.

But it's me, sure as a gun.

Wade is dead.

Killed by a horse 10 years past on his way to war.

You still got that scar from the fever?

One right inside your arm?

The trip is supposed to take four days,

but I had to ride six straight on account of the weather.

they never would have tried to bleed you.

Wade.

I ain't dead little sunshine.

And then, Wade here comes bursting through,

half his face white with cream the other smooth

as a baby's bottom, and me I'm standing there covered in mud

and dirt sobbing like the little girl I was.

It must have taken you a good hour

to wipe all that dirt off of me.

And that the last time you saw each other?

I'm looking at her now.

That night Wade left for the war.

Any youngins?

This ain't no place to raise a child.

Sure is a fine piece of land though.

Found it with fresh eyes I'd imagine.

And how come it is, this is the first years you're

seeing it?

Heck.

It's a fair question.

What's that?

It's a letter.

Would you ever imagine your baby sister be reading

and writing?

This is from Pa.

"Wade, it is with much worry that I seek myself to pen you."

How'd this get so burnt?

It's legible.

"Things do not stand well between us.

I make no apologies and I write you now only

because I see nowhere else.

You were always the responsible one and I beseech you now

to be responsible for the family."

When did you get this?

Two weeks past.

Joe has been in the ground a month.

Yeah?

"We've been living for these past years on a homestead

and I beseech you watch over the family

for if you're reading these words then I am killed."

What are you aiming to do here, mister?

No, no, no. It's all right.

It's all right.

Who sent it?

I reckoned you did.

Are you taking leave of me?

It wasn't my intent to cause you pain.

How did he die?

He was thrown by a horse.

Something bothering you?

You can tell me.

It's strange is all.

Seems how we thought you dead.

Why you reckon Joe wrote me that letter?

I think I'd rather know what it is you're wanting.

I'd prefer not to sleep in Joe's room

if that's all right with you.

I do believe we could do something about that.

He should be gone.

We'll speak on it in the morning.

We'll speak on it now.

We will do no such thing, Heck Kirkland.

We'll say nothing on it 'til you've regained your moral character.

Don't I know it?

Wade will kill you if he finds out what you've done.

He's my brother.

Joe was your father.

He's in a better place now.

Wade raised me more than Pa ever did.

I ought to run him off.

What if I don't want that?

You put it to him?

There ain't nothing that keeps a man away for coming on 10 years.

Of course, there's a reason.

Maybe I ought to find out what it is.

Maybe while you're thinking on it,

you got to ask yourself why the father declared his son dead.

You're going to shoot?

Where is your?

Martha believes I'll make a better husband without it.

Best not argue then.

Pinfire ain't it?

Federal I took it off of claimed he got it

from Jeb Stuart's.

I reckon he didn't part with it easily.

No man would.

Good talk.

Where you've been these last years?

I ain't one for repeating myself.

Being a Deputy in Cheyenne.

I'm a farmer now.

That still don't explain why you ain't never come through.

Maybe you ought to ask Joe.

But I guess you missed your opportunity for that.

You do anything that's going to hurt her,

there won't be no conversation next time.

You stole the words right on my mouth.

It's your responsibility.

Got that talking too as well?

This day I don't know if we deserved it

or if just plain enjoyed giving it.

I don't mean to be out of line,

but isn't this your husband's responsibility?

Look at where we live.

There's more chores than people around here.

How did you two start courting?

I wouldn't exactly call it courting.

Heck turned up looking for work at Three Penny Hank's place

and found his way over here.

Three Penny Hank?

He's just a fool whoremonger.

Heck is a good man.

He would never do me no harm.

A man who carries a gun like that,

he has a certain kind of past.

Help me with something?

Who'd you bury in my stead?

Nobody.

I got good news this week.

Wade is alive and well.

Guess you probably knew that.

but right now he's standing right here next to me.

He's been living up in the Wyoming Territory where he used

to be a Deputy Sheriff.

He's not married yet but not for lack

of interest in women, I'm sure.

And I'm hoping that he'd be staying here

with me and Heck for a spell.

Is there anything you'd like to say?

Howdy? Would have been nice to see you all, alive I mean.

Gently.

Sorry.

It's all right.

We never got any bodies back from the war.

Not for you, not for James,

not for Billy.

Ma is actually buried here.

As is Pa. Of course.

How'd she pass?

She got weak after the war.

Doc said he didn't know why but it was on account

of losing her boys, sure is the day is long.

Pa, he moved us out here thinking maybe a fresh start

might help.

In this place, the killers life.

James signed on soon after Pa told us you died.

All the boys in town did, whole town was so proud, mightily so.

None came back, not a one.

And more left, this time Billy signed on.

He lost a leg at Chickamauga.

Billy died of infection on his journey home.

There's something wrong with the way they healed his leg.

Every boy between the age of 13 and 34 out of Old Grandridge,

Texas gave their life fighting them damn federals.

Except you.

I fought.

Not with the First Texas.

I was injured early on.

When I was fit for duty, I was reorganized

into convalescence regiment.

Was it bad?

I ended up in a hospital, if you want to call it that.

I was lucky to survive, that's a fact.

Let the past lie, little sunshine,

this is the here and now.

Still hanging on to that damn letter for one.

That damn letter brought Wade home to me.

Why don't you just focus on killing us an elk,

couple of pheasants just won't do.

Look, family don't turn

against each other without reason.

The time when Pa took

wasn't too much of a surprise

when Lombardi came back looking for a refund.

And Pa, he'd have none of it but Wade,

he gave them their money back.

All of it.

He did something the beating he'd be taken for it.

Say, reasons to try to get.

I was thinking of asking Wade to come with us to San Francisco?

Yeah.

Heard you're going hunting,

thought you could use a repeater.

You couldn't hit a buck with that antique.

Is that a damn Yankee rifle, 16 shooter?

Mighty sweet of you.

That Three Penny Hank fellow, you reckon he's the one

who sent Joe's letter?

The hell kind of cartridge is this?

44 M fire.

I can't say I thought of it much.

That his place I saw miles west of here?

Three Penny Hank has been living by himself

on a dying farm for more years than I can count,

makes the man a little crazy.

I've been thinking on something, plow that land

out there, plant it right, this farm could really be something.

You don't think Joe tried that?

It's a fine piece of land ya'll got here.

We're selling the farm.

Well, if it's help you need, I can stay on and stretch,

bear some of the burden.

Well that is a shame decision's had been made.

Are you sure little sunshine?

Decision is made.

Three Penny Hank?

I don't take kindly to that name, mister.

Give it here, I ain't a young man no more.

Well, Sergeant Major McCurry, I swan.

I wasn't sure there was going to be a body

on the other end of this.

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Sergeant Major,

a real pleasure.

It's Wade.

You ain't trying to pull one on me now are you?

Joe didn't say nothing?

Hell no, he did not.

I can see it though.

You got your father's eyes.

Well come on in, it's not as a whorehouse on nickel night.

We can deal a few hands, see if you got your father's luck too.

Joe, he wouldn't have changed his mind.

One hand.

I ain't had a visitor since your Pa was killed.

Well, I reckon you better take that up with this horse.

Hold on just one minute.

I ain't no soaker,

but we respect the dead before we speak on him.

Here's to you, Joe, it turns out I was right.

You were a lying son of a bitch.

You will be missed.

Joe.

You mustn't think much of me.

I can't say I made much of an opinion.

No. But I know a lot of folks who don't.

Crazy old coot, couldn't grow mushrooms on manure.

But I'm a hell of a good farmer, just ain't much water,

not around these parts anyway.

The letter.

Hold your horses, son, we're talking water here.

My family's stead, it's the only place that has it.

I can see you are the observant kind.

What ain't so obvious is

that there's copper plenty around here.

And if the mining company...

...if the mining companies ain't got no water

to work their claims, well then

that ore ain't ever seeing the light of day.

They need Joe's land and they sent some good

for nothing carpetbagger name of Lane to make sure they get it.

under fire doesn't mean he can't be snake bit.

If and it was an accident, how come the coffin was closed.

That's an awful big charge you're making.

Well, he weren't scalped by no Apache,

he was throwed by a horse.

Ain't no reason not to let us say our last respects, unless...

unless he weren't throwed by no horse.

And the law, they had nothing to say about this?

There ain't no law around here.

You know Joe never said more than two words about you

but I wager I could guess why he told folks

that you was dead Sergeant Major.

Hell, he must have in it bad if he felt you were the one

that he had to call out to 'cause like you said,

Joe ain't one to change his mind.

Were you present when Joe died?

So you've been by Three Penny Hank's place?

He don't take too kindly that name.

Nobody take too kindly of him either.

He mentioned a fellow by the name of Lane.

He came to Joe's funeral.

Mr. Lane is the buyer.

He kill Joe?

Nobody killed him.

He was thrown by a horse.

Ain't that what killed me.?

So you're saying I'm a liar.

This Lane, did he threaten you?

I don't want this land, Wade.

The only reason we stayed

so long is Pa wouldn't have survived out here on his own.

Hank seems to be doing just fine.

This place?

It would kill me.

Sure as it did our Ma.

Joe threatened if I ever came home, he'd kill me.

And there he goes, writing me a letter, asking me back.

That sound like the pride-stricken man

that raised us up?

Nobody killed him.

I reckon I don't know how you can be so sure.

Asking you as your only family,

will you please leave it alone?

Ain't no reason to be scared, little sunshine.

I will strike down anyone who tries to harm this here family.

Howdy? Didn't know Hank brought on any hands.

Howdy.

Don't be bothering to dismount.

I do not believe we had the pleasure of acquaintance.

You're E.J. Lane.

Banker and killer.

I'm going to bring you before a judge for what you've done.

Wait, you let him go.

There ain't a judge for a three-day ride from here.

It's quite the impertinent way to treat a guest.

I do apologize, Mr. Lane, we had an...

I'd appreciate it if you get my horse.

She ain't to be ordered about.

Wade, is it?

I'd be glad to know what I'm being accused of.

Didn't figure you were one for games.

Wade.

Well, you know that a crime, whatever it may be,

requires evidence, so please present yours.

Moving, yet meaningless.

I'm sorry for your loss.

I've been known for trying to put reason

to in my time.

I have a sale to attend to.

So you can either shoot me in the back like a coward

or let me be on my way.

I reckon you know I ain't got no choice.

See, he's made an offer for this glass.

But this glass is full of whiskey.

What you're trying to do is buy this glass

and get the whiskey for free.

Why don't you take that whiskey,

pour it right back in that bottle.

I'm making a fair counter here.

It is a thousand dollars, 750 for all my acres,

250 for everything on it.

It's your property.

I imagined you've more to say on its fate.

Hell of an imagination.

Got a deal?

On behalf of Mr. Moore, Mr. Crohn

and Mr. Buck, thank you kindly.

I was invited here on business.

You just hold on a minute here.

I'm going to see you hung.

Innocent men have nothing to fear from the law.

Where's the nearest judge?

No reason to fear, little sunshine.

He ain't going to hurt you.

Judge Hawkins in Alameda, a three-day ride from here.

Get up.

No boy.

Hold it.

He ain't taking leave of you.

I can get the drop on him.

No, no. I will talk to him.

The only thing he's going to listen to is a bullet.

And what has he done to make you think a crazy notion like that?

Goddamn it Martha!

He dug up your father.

You stop right there Wade McCurry.

How's that one?

The faster we get done with this nonsense, the better.

You best not try anything.

I have been trying to leave this place

for going on four years now.

First Ma got sick then Pa needed me to stay and now you.

You're asking that I let him go.

I'm asking you to let me be rid of this place for good.

The world you want to go out into,

it wouldn't be a place fit living.

Not without the law.

It would be better than here.

Let's sell this farm, Wade.

You and me and Heck, we'll go to San Francisco as a family.

Let's hope no one coming back this way, if you'll have me.

You do this, you're betraying the only kin you got left.

You sound like Pa.

I'm nothing like him.

Why'd he tell us you were dead?

Don't think about past.

No. No, it isn't.

He tried to stop me from leaving just

like you're doing now.

The words he said to me aren't words you forget.

If you ride out of here, you ain't my son.

You're a goddamn traitor.

If our boys don't kill you, I will.

Where were you going?

I reckon you know.

No. I need to hear you say the word.

I was going to join the Union Army to fight for my country.

Were you at?

No.

Chickamauga,

what about Chickamauga?

Why?

Can't ride for three days without any sleep.

I ain't telling you not to.

I'll fall off.

And you pick yourself right back up again.

Oh. I didn't kill your father.

That's for a judge to decide.

Hey. Hey Wade.

Yeah?

You know you are on old man Race's land.

Suppose he was the one doing the shooting at me.

You're lucky, I was coming after you.

Is that so?

Yeah?

Is that your blood?

Don't see no one else around.

We best get up on out of this so we can see you bandaged up.

Shit.

Son of a bitch.

That'd be

sixteen.

Didn't figure you one for a coward.

Ain't got no water and you are bleeding something fierce.

It's a mighty hard way to go.

I figure that's about what's due a damn Yankee.

Thanks for this here repeater.

It's a mighty step finer to that Enfield.

You must've had a hell

of a time bushwhacking Joe with that old thing.

Can't say I'd rather know.

Martha is one hell of a shot though.

Had to be done.

Was it quick?

Ain't no such thing.

At least for a goddamn Yankee traitor.

Nobody wants to die slow.

2 Mr. Lane, I do apologize for what you've been through.

It's been hard for all of us.

There a problem?

Nine hundred dollars there, on account of your trouble.

You listen here.

We still want to sell this place and you still want to buy it.

So, you best make up your mind 'cause we don't got all day.

There's barely a hundred dollars in there.

It's 200 actually.

My husband saved your life.

From what?

A three-day ride?

A visit with Judge Hawkins.

Do we have an agreement?

Bullshit, we do.

Two hundred dollars is more than enough

to get you to, where was it?

San Francisco I believe.

And do what once we get there?

That, my dear, is up to you.

I'm a businessman, not a fool.

Now that ain't no way to treat your host.

Isn't that right, Martha.

Uh. Uh.

Time to break most men.

Well, what if you don't?

That man, he's stubborn.

Joe was stubborn too.

I told you no.

That's the thing about killing.

You open that door, there ain't no telling how many going

to go through.

We won't last the winter here on what we got.

Without Lane, we got nothing.

Let's stay out here.

Heck?

He's uncivilized.

Martha keeps a clean house.

You're going to be keeping a lot longer if you kill me.

Nah, what was it you said?

Two hundred dollars is more than enough to get to San Francisco.

I could have gone to the law.

You're honestly trying to threaten me?

Negotiate actually.

I think maybe you don't know the difference.

Heck, we talked on this.

Yeah. You best stand clear.

He is a man of business.

He did not ride out all this way to leave empty-handed.

And what do you know about your husband here.

Did you know he rode with William Quantrill

or Bloody Bill Anderson?

He burned Lawrence, Kansas to the ground.

Killed the women and children and we know there's no war

to satisfy his lust for violence.

He took up with.

He killed a Deputy of Missouri before he escaped west.

I know who I do business with Miss Kirkland.

And I know who I married, Mr. Lane.

no more.

Didn't he?

Nine hundred dollars then.

I think that'd be acceptable to me.

All right then.

Let's go back to the house, make it official.

Will you take your hands off of me?

Ain't no time to get all worked up.

No time, he agreed to the deal,

you have no call to shoot him.

If I hadn't had shot him,

he'd gone on straight to the law.

We had our deal.

There's always a better deal.

Two hundred dollars is no deal at all.

What about the law folks?

They're going to notice Lane is gone missing.

They'll be too busy hunting Apache.

What in the world?

What's the matter boy?

They're heavy?

Martha.

Martha.

Open up now, you hear?

Give me, if that's all you got.

I'll lend you my best mare once you're strong enough

to ride her.

Don't make me no horse thief.

You figure Heck killed Joe.

Sure as hell shot me.

I'll get my double barrel.

Dammit Hank.

I don't want you with me.

Joe was my friend.

He's my Pa.

Yeah? And which one of us you reckon knew him better.

Martha, she's the one who's supposed to have done it.

Hell, they was always fighting but still.

What you going to do?

That's a family matter.

It's time for you to ride on out of here.

I know and you?

You stood before lord and family

and you made me a promise.

Pretty as a hummingbird, you still are.

Don't you start me with me, Heck Kirkland.

You scalped a man.

Well, that's the thing about getting hitched.

You learn about each other and you do things for each other.

Is that?

Lane's.

How much?

I ain't rightly counted yet.

A lot.

Should have negotiated better.

I figure that is more than enough to get us

that hotel in San Francisco.

Who are you, Heck Kirkland?

I'm the man that's giving you your dream.

Leave them.

Buy new china, nicer ones too.

there'll be no memories.

Yeah, well Apache wouldn't want no cups.

Sure would like these fritters, though.

You plan on living like a savage.

But we best leave like one 'cause we don't want no posse

coming after us.

Stay in the house.

Heck!

Get away.

Did you do it?

Did you kill Pa?

After all what you did to us.

You left. My whole family died because of it.

You killed my husband.

You killed your little brother.

There was no one here to look out for us

because he was on the other side!

You trapped me here Wade McCurry.

Pa would never have brought us to this awful place

if it weren't for you.

And you killed him for it.

I did what needed to be done.

Then you're going to need to go before a judge.

Martha.

It's best you stand clear.

You know I can't.

All you got to do is put one foot in front of the other.

Is that too much to ask of my only kin?

This thing, it's for the law to decide.

What law?

I haven't seen them around here.

The world don't work that way, little sunshine.

We got to face our responsibility.

You are more of a father to me than Pa ever was.

There ain't no running from what we've done.

Draw then.

Pull that trigger and you have to shoot me straight.

Draw, goddamn it.

I should have never left you.