Original subtitles

Gunsmoke, starring James Arness as Matt Dillon.

What are you thinking of her?

When she's not in our minds, she's in our hearts.

Aye.

Looks a wee bit better under the moon.

By day, it's a naked land.

Aye, it's not like the Helens.

That's a fact.

I wonder if there is another place in the world where you can see so far, yet

see so little.

You're not the vision you once had, Father.

What's the meaning of that?

The soil is rich.

There's no full of stones to break a plow.

If you look real hard, you can see fields of wheat and corn.

And orchards so heavy with fruit that the ends of the boughs are touching the

ground.

I thought it was your gran who has the visions.

Well, she's my granny, but your mother.

At least I come by it honestly.

Come, come, gran.

It's time that you are in your bed.

This night will be our last sleep on the trail.

Is that a fact?

We'll be there come tomorrow.

You're seeing the fire, do you, Gran?

Aye, that and more.

There's trouble waiting.

What manner of trouble?

Bad trouble.

There's a man of violence and a lad and a lass.

And death is waiting for one of the three.

Oh, is that all?

Is it not enough, then?

You might at least tell us if the lass is pretty.

Father and son, like in your wit, but it's all there.

And the lad is yourself.

Ah, Gran.

Oh, Mother.

Aye, you can laugh, but you'll see it come to pass.

Ah, tis the land we sought, all right.

But tis a terrible price we'll have to pay for it.

For some storm last night, we didn't cut the heat any, did it?

Why, Doc, you haven't ever saw no storm. You mean that little old piddling

thunder and lightning?

Why, it didn't rain as much as a little boy could spit.

I have saw storms that had just washed a regular ditch.

Would you do me a favor?

Would you just once let me make a simple observation about something? The

weather, even though to you at the time it might appear to be inconsequential?

Why, I...

In what?

What do you mean, in what?

What you just said.

What I just said?

That's what I'm asking you.

You like another beer?

Yeah. Good. Go in there and buy one for a change. I'm going to my... I'm going

to my office so I don't get mixed up in any more of these inane conversations.

In what?

What do you mean, in what?

What you just said.

Betsy! Pardon, Miss Betsy. Can't look for you? Oh, yes, we... You want to know

something, Miss Betsy? I wouldn't give a hoot if I was to go blind right this

minute, because there ain't nothing within a hundred miles outside of you

that's worth looking at.

Wish you sure know how to turn a phrase, bestest.

Well, that's easy when I'm talking to a pretty gal like you are. Well, you

better not let her paw hear you talking like that.

Well, I don't give a hoot. I'd stand up to him eyeball to eyeball for her. And

if I'm lying, I'm dying. I would.

Well, there's been a few that's tried.

You know what the whole trouble was?

They backed off.

Well, shoot.

If I was a mite younger, I'd walk up to him and I'd...

Ugly, mean, and grumpy.

In other words, his usual self.

Have you seen Thad around?

Yeah, right in here. I'll fetch him for you.

Thad, prettiest gal west of Mississippi wants to palaver with you. Come on.

I'd like to send him ahead just to announce me.

I wish somebody'd send him ahead.

Hi, Thad.

Morning, Miss Betsy.

You doing any work right now?

Well, nothing I couldn't put aside if maybe you were to ask me.

Well, Pa wants to know if you'll hire out for about a week.

Well, I think that could be arranged.

He needs a hand until the crew gets back with the herd he just bought.

Pays $3 and found.

Well, I, uh, think that'd be just fine. Why don't I, uh, ride out? Oh, well,

that's very kind of you, Thad.

But if you're gonna go to work for us, do you think that's such a smart way to

start out?

Uh, I think maybe you're right.

Maybe you better ride out on a loan, and I'll, uh, catch up with you tonight.

Fine.

Bye, Doc.

Bye, Festus.

Miss Betsy?

Hello. I beg your pardon. Could you help me? I'm looking for the land office.

Oh, sure. You see the marshal's office there? It's just right beyond there.

You fixing to settle here, are you?

Aye, we are.

We found a grand place a few miles back.

My father's standing on it now.

Oh, he's standing on it, huh?

Oh, just to make sure that nobody else takes a fancy to it before we've made

our claim.

Well, ain't no need to fret about that. We haven't had a homestead a year in

three or four months, have we, Doc?

You know better about that than I.

But it's a place we've been looking for for many a long day.

We'd hate to lose it now, especially since Gran saw it in the fire.

Gran?

Well, I don't think you'd understand.

Well, we certainly welcome you to Dodge, young fella.

Well, thank you for your greeting.

No doubt we'll meet again.

Good day to you.

Now, there's a mighty nice young man.

Yeah, I wonder who he is.

Sure talked funny, didn't he?

Well... Say hello to your pa.

I'll do that.

See you two later. I've got some supplies to pick up.

Bye, Miss Bates.

Wyatt, I want to tell you something. You had no one to back down from her, Paul.

That ain't no way to let Betsy know how you feel about her. Well, I wasn't

backing down from her. You heard me say that I'd ride out with her.

Yeah, but I heard how quick you changed your mind when she said it wasn't a good

idea, too.

Oh, you mean she didn't want me to agree with her? Well, of course not.

You sure have got a lot to learn about women, boy, I'll tell you that.

I don't know how you do it, but you sure can make food taste good.

You hungry?

If I wasn't, I sure am now.

Never figured a girl as pretty as you could cook.

When do we eat?

When Pa gets here.

Pa is here.

Doesn't seem to me I heard the dinner bell ring.

Well, it didn't really ring, Mr. Payson. Pa, I just asked Dad to fetch some water

for me.

Did you also ask him to stand around making pretty speeches?

Now, just a minute. Betsy and I have been friends for a while. Son, when I

want information, I'll ask you for it.

I hired you to work, not to make eyes at my daughter.

Pa, sit down. Supper's ready.

No, it's gonna have to wait.

You and I are taking a ride.

Where to?

Down to the South Fork Meadow. I understand we've got some squatters.

Must be the homesteader we saw in town.

We? Well, I was just asking Thad if he wanted to come to work for us.

And this fellow stopped and asked directions to the land office.

Oh, out of all the people in town, he just happened to stop and ask you for

directions.

Pa, I was with Thad and Doc and Festus.

Oh.

Well, whoever he is, he's gonna have to get out of that meadow.

You know how to use that gun you're wearing?

Yes, sir.

But I wasn't figuring on using it.

Then don't worry. I didn't hire you as a gunslinger.

Just wanted to make sure you know how to handle it.

In case you have to.

I can handle it.

All right, let's go.

Wait for me. I'll change and go with you. All right.

Hello.

You're the ones I saw in town today.

My name is Ben Payson.

Ian McGovern, this is my son David. What are you aiming to do with all of this?

We're aiming to make a home of it.

You're on my land.

Not according to the government land office.

This land is open to homesteaders.

This meadow was mine long before homesteaders or government land offices.

We drove past your property for many and many a mile.

Mm-hmm.

And I fought Indians and drought and blister and summers and bitter winters

for every inch of it.

Had fate put us here, Mr. Payson, we would have fought alongside you.

The few acres that we will plant will make no difference to you.

You'll plant nothing.

You'll put no plows in this land.

The land is ours by law.

And as hard as we would have fought with you, we can fight just as hard against

you. You've been warned. Whatever happens now is on your own head.

You should know that the Klan has spilled blood before, defending that

which belongs to it.

You better be prepared to spill some more.

I've got a good notion of giving them a taste of trouble right now.

I wouldn't do that if I were you.

Why not?

There's somebody in that wagon covering us with a rifle.

Let's go.

Ben, I'm doing you a... Long time. I got the feeling you didn't come here just to

talk about the price of beef in Chicago.

What's on your mind?

Oh, Matt, I've got squatter problems.

I showed up yesterday.

Moved into that South Meadow mine.

South Meadow? You mean down by the river bottom?

Mm-hmm.

Well, that's not on your ranch, is it?

We cut hay off a bit last year.

We often do in a dry year.

Did you check with the land office?

They filed, if that's what you're asking.

A pipsqueak of a land agent. He knew his... Better not let them file on my

land.

Well, Ben, I'm afraid you'll find that that land is public domain.

Oh, public nothing.

It's always been part of the barbie, and it always will be.

Well, yes, because nobody else has come along that's wanted it. See, that'll be

the government's attitude.

The government?

Where was the government 30 years ago when I first came here?

Where was the government doing when there weren't no railroad here, nor this

town, or anything else?

Ben, I'm afraid what you and I might think doesn't really matter. The Public

Lands Act is law.

I built that ranch, and I'm not letting anybody take it away from me.

Ben, nobody's gonna take it away from you.

But you see, if I let them get away with this, there's gonna be others.

And if I don't put a stop to this now, they're gonna chew me up into little

pieces.

Ben, you're exaggerating this whole thing.

Don't buy trouble. It happens.

It's happening!

Matt, I want to know where you stand.

Well, Ben, you and I have been friends for a long time.

I'd do anything I could for you, you know that.

But if it comes down to it, I've got to stay with the law.

I'm so scared I can't stand up.

Can't I say that I blame you?

I've seen them attack calves.

This one will kill no more calves.

They'll be nothing but sausage now.

You get your sense of humor from your father.

Here.

Thank you.

Oh, wait. You're only making it worse. Let me see.

Scotchman is clumsy as you.

There's no such thing as a Scotchman.

People from my part of the world are called Scots, or Scotsmen, if you will.

But we don't take to being called Scotch.

I'll try to remember.

For someone who couldn't stand a few moments ago, you've made a swift

recovery.

Well, I'm not frightened anymore.

Why not?

Maybe you're not as ugly as the boar.

It had never occurred to you.

That I could be as dangerous.

Do you have a name?

I was christened Elizabeth.

But nobody around here calls me anything but Betsy.

I'll call you Elizabeth.

I'm wondering why you came out to the meadow today.

I wanted to see if my father would succeed in running you off.

From the time I was a wee lad, I never ran from a loud noise.

It's more than a loud noise, David.

Aye, there were signs the man could be a wee bit more if he put himself to it.

He's really a good man, David.

Well, there has to be some good in him. To a father the likes of you.

He'll try to make you leave.

Aye, I'm sure.

And I'm just as sure you'll stay.

The McGoverns have got a terrible fault, Elizabeth.

When they find something they want, they will not rest until they make it theirs.

And what they've made their own, they hold dearer than life itself.

I think we'd better be getting back.

Why?

Well, the rain's almost over.

Well, is that good enough reason for leaving a place as cozy as this one?

Betsy, where have you been? Thad and I spent half of the afternoon... Oh, Pa,

I'm all right.

I just got caught in the storm and waded it out in the hay shed near the South

Fork Meadow. When your horse came home alone, I didn't know what to think.

Well, he got spooked by a wild pig and threw me.

A wild... What? Are you sure you're all right? Yes, Pa, I'm fine.

I'm just a little messed up, that's all.

What were you doing by the South Meadow?

I was just out riding.

And this pig...

One of the homesteaders killed it. One of the squatters, you mean, don't you?

Which one?

Well, what difference does it make? He saved my life. I told you to stay away

from the meadow.

Why, Pa?

Because I don't want you associating with land thieves.

They're people.

Honest, hard-working... Now, don't you tell me what they are.

I suppose they think that we're indebted to them now, eh?

Well, I'd say we are, wouldn't you?

Now, you listen to me.

Just because one of those squatters came along in time to kill a wild pig doesn't

give them any claim on you. Now, do you understand me?

Yes, Pa, I understand.

And I want you to stay away from him. You hear me?

I hear you.

One of them puts his hands on you, I'll kill him.

If you're finished, can I go now?

Oh, Betsy!

All I've ever wanted is the best for you. That's all I've ever wanted. I

didn't raise you for any dirt-scratching sodbuster.

You didn't raise me for a sodbuster, or a store clerk, or a ranch hand.

What did you raise me for, Pa?

Haven't you ever asked yourself that?

Where'd you leave Pa?

Over the drift fence.

Came back to some more fence poles there.

Looked nice this morning, Betsy.

Oh, thank you.

I noticed it this morning at breakfast and I would have said something, but you

know how your Pa is these days. He's kind of touchy.

Well, it's nice to know you thought of it.

Something wrong?

Are you going into town pretty soon?

About noon. Pick up the mail.

Why?

I've always thought of you as one of my closest friends.

Well, that's nice to hear, because I kind of feel the same way about you.

Then you'll do something for me in friendship.

Well, sure.

That's what friends are for.

On your way into town, would you ride down past the Homesteader Ranch and

deliver this message?

Wait a minute.

I can't do that.

I'm working for your pa, and I'm beholden to him.

And you know how he feels about those people.

Was it more important than friendship?

Yes.

Who do you want me to give the message to?

What difference does it make to you?

Was it Dave McGovern?

What if it is?

Have you gone sweet on him?

I don't know.

I'm sorry, Betsy. I just never figured it. Neither did I.

Your pa's got to have a fit when he finds out about this.

That's why I want you to deliver this message for me.

Please, Dad.

All right.

I'll take it.

Oh, thank you, Dad.

You're the best friend I ever had.

That's not exactly what I had in mind, but it's something.

Matthew? What's this?

Vicks is off someplace, are you? Yeah, I'm going out and checking those

homesteaders. You mean them that filed on old Ben Payson's meadow? Yeah, except

it wasn't Ben Payson's meadow. It was open range land.

Is old Ben giving you trouble, is he? No, he's making noises at it, yeah.

No, he always was one to glom on to whatever he figured was his.

Well, look at the way he treats Miss Betsy. Well, yeah, except my concern

right now is those homesteaders.

Well, if you ain't got nothing to get in, I'll ride out with you. Well, glad

to have you.

David? David?

Hi.

Oh, you startled me.

I've been waiting for an hour.

I couldn't get out any sooner.

Pa's been watching me like a hawk.

Well, I'm glad that's it.

What do you mean?

I thought maybe you had a change of heart.

Oh, you don't really believe that.

Aye, I do.

I was on my way up to your place to make sure when I met your friend Thad.

You were coming to the ranch?

Aye.

David, you're insane.

My father would have killed you.

How can I believe that?

A man's not a savage.

David, when it comes to me, there's a wildness in him I don't think even he

understands.

You don't know him like I do. No, I don't. But I'm willing to know him, and

I'm willing to have him know me.

He's got to give you up sometime.

David, does this land mean so much to you?

Why?

Well, there's so much other land to be had for the asking.

Maybe if you'd move away, it wouldn't be so difficult.

I'm sorry. I can't do that.

Well, if you're both going to be so stubborn, if neither one of you will

give in, something terrible is going to happen.

I will not be driven from what is mine by law and by choice.

Well, you're worse than my father.

Elizabeth.

Is there another girl in Dodge as pretty as you are?

Of course.

Why?

Now that I've found you and I've told you how I feel about you, would you

think it a wee bit strange if I decided suddenly to give you up and go off with

another lass?

Well, you know the answer to that.

And why does it seem so strange to you that I didn't wish to give up the land

of my choice?

Go on home, quick.

You make one more move and I'll shoot.

You won't need that gun, ma'am. We're not here to harm you.

Ron, it's all right, son. I have them covered.

They'll give you no trouble.

I'll take that.

What do you want here?

Well, I'd like to talk to you for a minute, if I can. My name's Matt Dillon.

I'm United States Marshal from Dodge City.

Are you a peace officer?

That's right, sir, I am.

Marshal, you'll have to forgive me, Mother.

She's been a bit wary of strangers since we first arrived.

You've been having trouble, have you?

Well, I don't know that you call it that.

The man drove by and told us we must leave.

Father? This is my son, David.

David, this is Mr. Dillon.

He's a United States Marshal.

How do you do?

And this is Mr., uh... Festus Hagen.

Glad to meet you.

Did I hear the word trouble?

Well, your father was just telling you somebody's trying to move you off this

land. Aye, that's right.

Would his name by any chance be Ben Payson?

Aye, that's the man.

If you're interested, Marshal, we have a paper to show our claim.

Well, I know all about your paper.

I also know about Ben Payson.

Might he be a friend of yours?

Yes, I'm afraid he is.

That must make it a wee bit difficult for you, doesn't it?

Well, Mr. McGovern, my job's to uphold the law of friends or no friends.

I'm glad to hear that, Marshal.

We traveled many, many a mile to be here.

And we'll travel no more.

Well, now, I can also tell you this.

Ben Payson's not the kind of man to back down very easy.

Now, if you're not going to do any backing down either, well, somebody's

liable to get hurt.

If a man stands for his rights...

You must be prepared for the consequences.

Well, we'll do what we can to protect you.

You're not asking for help.

Well, I know you're not, but you're entitled to it anyway.

Now, either Festus or I will try to come by here about once a day and look in on

you, but I'm afraid we can't be here all the time.

We understand, Marshal, and we're grateful for your concern.

Ma'am?

it's nice to know that you're not alone i it's always nice to know you're not

alone father

Now, I've told you twice to stay away from this place.

If I have to tell you again, I'll lock you in your room like a child.

Now, get out of here.

Well, if that is the last that you'd have, I'll not be the one to dissuade

you.

You might have chosen a better time and a better place.

What's the matter with you, ma'am?

Can you no understand?

The lad did not have a choice.

What's the meaning of that?

Have you forgotten what I saw in the fire?

A man of violence.

And a lad. And a lass.

You see, Father, it's been decided beforehand.

We've naught to say about it, any of us.

Perhaps not. But here is one that may think differently.

Keep that whelp of yours away from my daughter.

Your daughter's a grown woman. You can't go on treating her like a child.

Hey, you heard what I said.

Then hear me.

When my house is built, I'm taking her away.

You're just trying to use her to get at my land.

We've already got the land.

If he comes near her again, I'll kill him.

David?

Elizabeth. Hello, David.

It's been a long time.

Four days.

I've missed you.

And I you.

I've been to the hay rick every day.

Well, this is the first time I've been allowed out of the house.

Aye, I thought that might be the way of it.

Did he know we'd met?

Yes.

He's hardly spoken to me since.

I'm sorry.

It doesn't matter.

Dad told me you were building a house.

Did he tell you what for?

Yes.

I've got plans and some of the material.

With luck, we'll be able to start the framework next week.

It'll not be much at first, but it'll be ours.

How long before you're finished?

Well, I can't tell you, but I'm thinking I'll not sleep until it's done.

David, I'm afraid.

Of what?

I don't know.

That you won't finish the house.

That something will happen. Hush, lass.

The Lord moved a great many people to bring us together.

And I cannot believe that he plans to keep us apart for long.

Betsy!

So this was the errand you had to run.

Father, please.

I told you to stay away from her.

I? But she hasn't told me.

As long as she lives in my house, she'll do what I say.

Father, please stop it.

Come with me.

Don't yank at me as if I was a child.

David. Don't worry, lass.

It'll be all right.

you something i'll see you in hades before you marry that girl

That was a fine supper, girl.

Betsy.

All right, how long?

How long what?

How long do you intend to sulk?

Treat me like a stranger in my own house.

I don't have anything to say.

Oh, Betsy, please.

We've always been able to talk. It's always been just you and me.

Please.

I can't keep you with me forever.

I know that.

And I wouldn't dream of standing in your way when the right time comes and the

right man comes along.

Right for who? You or me?

So you're on his side all the way, huh?

It's not a matter of side. It's a matter of right and wrong.

And it's me that's wrong for protecting what's my own.

Neither's yours.

You don't own the land and you don't own me.

and Marty.

Can I go now?

Oh, yes, you can go now.

Hiya, boss.

Oh, hi. How was the trip?

No trouble.

We only lost about a dozen head.

Good. We rode on in ahead of the others. The rest of the crew will be along with

the herd in about an hour.

Say, boss, why'd you lease out that meadow down by the river?

I didn't lease that. Them are squatters.

You know, they're breaking ground down there.

Did they put a plow under that ground?

You said it.

All right, when the boys get in, have them stay saddled.

Why? What are you figuring out?

We're gonna go down there and run them off.

Okay, we'll let you know when they get here.

Well? You can't do this, Mr. Pearson.

I'll bet she put you up to this.

Of course I did.

Somebody's got to make you listen to reason.

If you go into that meadow with armed men, you'll be breaking the law.

Son, I told you once before.

When I want any information from you, I'll ask for it.

Now get away from that door.

No.

I won't tell you again.

Now stand over there.

You want me, Mr. Payson?

Stay in here and keep an eye on these two until the rest of us get back.

Yes, sir.

Pa, I'll make a promise to you.

Don't take your men down there, and I'll stay away from David.

I give you my word.

Sit down, Miss Betsy.

I sure am sorry, Miss Betsy.

What would you do if I decided to leave, Marty?

Oh, you wouldn't do that, Miss Betsy.

You wouldn't shoot me, would you?

I had not a talk like that, Miss Betsy.

Your pod skinned me alive for us to let you go.

Thank you.

best kill us all here and now there'll be no end to this as long as i shall

live i gave you fair warning you heard my father shoot now or by all the saints

you'll wish you had get some hay under that wagon you'll regret this as long as

you live each of you each of you

Get the guns. Call them off, Ben.

All right, let them up.

All right, over here.

Get out of there.

All right, throw the guns down. Drop them.

David.

They're burning everything.

Elizabeth, come here!

Go into town and get Doc, quick.

Ben, get some of your boys to start putting this fire out.

Let's go.

Betsy, I'd give anything to undo it all.

I think we all would, Pa.

Isn't there anything I can say to persuade you to stay?

David thinks we ought to get away.

I guess he's got a right to hate me.

He doesn't hate you, Pa.

Neither do I.

It's just that we have to make our own life.

And after what's happened, neither of us want to start it here.

How far will you go?

We're talking about California.

Well, that land's no better than here.

It's not important if David wants it.

If you can give up everything for him, why... Can't you just give up a little

for me?

I don't know, Pa.

Maybe it's because he's never asked me to give anything up.

You ready, Ben?

Yeah.

I thank you for letting me see her before she left, Marshall.

Let's go.

How long do you think they'll give me?

I don't know. That'll be up to the judge.