Original subtitles

( festive theme playing)

Ho, ho, ho.

Merry Christmas, everybody.

Ho, ho, ho.

Merry Christmas, one and all.

Ho, ho, ho.

Here you go. One for you.

There you go. There you go, big guy.

Okay.

Thank you.

BOY: I love shaking them.

Please, Ranger Walker,

would you tell us a Christmas story?

Like the one last year?

KIDS: Yeah!

Yeah. Yeah. (cheering)

BOY 1: Please, please!

Well, let me think here.

BOY 2: Who wants to hear a Christmas story?

Not me.

Christmas ain't real.

It's just a bunch of hype for selling toys,

and making money and stuff like that.

It is not. Christmas is real.

ALL: Yeah.

Hype.

Like wanting to be adopted

and getting a family someday.

It ain't real.

(all shouting)

I'm gonna get adopted.

Okay, kids. All right.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion.

But what about you, Ranger Walker?

Do you think Christmas is real?

Well, I guess the best way to answer that, Sally,

is to tell you a story.

You wanna hear it?

ALL: Yeah!

Oh, this ought to keep us on the edge of our seats,

a Christmas story for children.

Don't be a bah-humbug.

Well, Back in 1876,

there was a Texas Ranger named Hayes Cooper,

who was also an orphan, just like you kids.

And he was faced with that very same question:

Is Christmas real?

It all began in a small town

called Harpersville, Texas.

The first week of December 1876

there was a bank robbery.

It's real simple, folks.

(gunshot)

You hold your fire,

you keep your posse in town,

or Mr. Holmes here gets ventilated.

(laughs)

Isn't that right, Will Stanton?

( tense theme playing)

Getting up? Yeah.

MAN: All right.

Hyah!

(laughing and hooting)

Will Stanton, just what do you think you're doing?

You wouldn't understand, sheriff.

( dramatic theme playing)

(laughs)

(cheering)

DIGGS: Easier than stealing cattle.

WALKER: Stanton held the banker hostage for three hours,

more than enough time for Diggs and his gang to get away.

Then he gave himself up.

No one in Harpersville could understand

why a good family man like Stanton

would do such a thing.

Will, what's gotten into you?

Let's go to jail.

During the trial,

Stanton never said a word in his own defense,

and left his neighbors no choice but to convict him

of aiding and abetting the robbery.

JUDGE: Guilty as charged.

( slow Western theme playing)

Ranger Hayes Cooper was ordered

to escort Will Stanton

to the new prison in El Paso.

I'm here to pick up the prisoner, Will Stanton.

Right in there, Ranger.

Cooper and the shackled Will Stanton

started off on the long trail to El Paso,

but little did Cooper and Stanton know

they weren't alone on the trail.

( mysterious theme playing)

Red Bear was a young Comanche war chief

who had a very personal score to settle with Hayes Cooper

and had made a sacred promise

to take the Ranger's scalp.

Of course, he didn't know it at the time,

but Red Bear was just the beginning

of Hayes Cooper's upcoming troubles.

The truth is, this would be a Christmas

the Ranger would never forget.

( tense theme playing)

( light rock action theme playing)

♪ In the eyes of a Ranger ♪

♪ The unsuspecting stranger ♪

♪ Had better know the truth ♪

♪ Of wrong from right ♪

♪ 'Cause the eyes Of the Ranger ♪

♪ Are upon you ♪

♪ Any wrong you do He's gonna see ♪

♪ When you're in Texas Look behind you ♪

♪ 'Cause that's where The Ranger's gonna be ♪

A prisoner to escort.

BOY: Yeah.

And a wild Comanche on your tail.

BOY: Wow. C.D.: Wow.

I'd have been really scared.

But Ranger Cooper didn't know he was being followed.

Not yet, anyway. Is any of this true?

Hayes Cooper was a real Texas Ranger.

When he died, he left a journal.

This was one of his stories.

Okay, so, what happened?

The prisoner Ranger Hayes Cooper was escorting

wasn't like any other outlaw

he had ever encountered.

STANTON: You looking forward to the holidays, Ranger Cooper?

COOPER: December's just another month to me.

Nothing special.

STANTON: But Christmas is special.

Most important day of the year,

at least to me and mine.

My wife and children think so.

Always have.

Not Santa Claus or things like that,

but a true celebration of our Lord's birthday.

This will be the first year

we won't be together on Christmas morning.

Where is your family?

East of here, and north,

right near Diamond Lake.

We call it a ranch, but it ain't much really.

I run some mustangs and wild longhorns.

Becky, my wife, has herself a garden.

Will Jr. and Mary help out.

I haven't seen them in over a month.

They weren't at the trial?

No.

Well, if you don't tell me why,

that's your business.

I can't, Ranger.

About my family

or my partners in the robbery.

Nothing.

Suit yourself, Stanton.

( majestic theme playing)

Hold it.

My horse picked up a stone.

Ranger Cooper!

(yelping)

( ominous theme playing)

Thanks.

You're welcome.

( melancholy theme playing)

( uplifting theme playing)

(sighs)

Mind if I ask you a question?

Sure.

Why did you do that?

Do what?

You know, back there?

You see, Ranger Cooper,

once upon a time I was a heck of a sinner.

But I was lucky enough to get myself reborn.

I have faith now.

Faith? In what?

In the Lord Jesus Christ, Ranger Cooper.

Well, growing up in an orphanage

where they beat the Bible into you every day

kind of sours you on religion.

Well, it's not religion I'm talking about, Ranger.

It's faith.

Life's pretty empty

if you don't have faith in something.

Get some sleep.

COOPER: There he is.

Who?

STANTON: That's the one that tried to kill you.

Yeah, his name's Red Bear.

Why is he after you?

Blood debt.

I killed his brother.

You killed his brother?

A place called Willow Creek.

Willow Creek?

Everybody in the state of Texas

heard about that battle.

That was war.

There's a treaty now.

Tell that to Red Bear.

( tense theme playing)

I used to hunt this far south of my spread all the time.

Straight that way.

What is it?

(arrow whizzes)

Watch it!

( suspenseful theme playing)

Stay with the horses.

You killed him?

No.

Let's go.

Look out!

(grunts)

No!

Why did you do that?

I'm sorry, Ranger Cooper, but when I got saved,

I swore I'd never abide the killing

of another human being.

That's a pretty hard promise to keep in the badlands.

Maybe, but if you put your trust in the Lord,

things have a way of working out.

(grunts)

( dramatic theme playing)

KIDS: What happened?

(chattering)

BOY 1: Tell us. BOY 2: Come on, tell us.

(chattering)

WALKER: Okay, okay, okay.

Some Christmas story, huh?

I have to admit, it does build a certain amount of suspense.

Will you people be quiet, please?

I'd like to hear this story.

Well, for Ranger Hayes Cooper,

a simple journey had suddenly become

very complicated.

Oh, Timmy, I'm sorry.

WALKER: And Ranger Cooper chose the only course possible

to save the prisoner's life.

He headed for Will Stanton's homestead

and away from the prison in El Paso.

And all the way, Will Stanton was calling out

to someone named Timmy.

We sheltered Timothy from evil.

Oh, Timmy.

Who's out there?

Hayes Cooper, Texas Ranger, ma'am.

I've got your husband.

He's been injured.

Will Jr., come out here.

WILL JR.: Who is it, Mama?

Who's out there? Mary, you stay inside.

Hurry up, Will.

STANTON: Come on, Timmy.

What happened to him?

We ran into a Comanche.

He took an arrow meant for me.

You were taking him to El Paso?

Yes, ma'am.

I've gotta get him inside. Okay.

(panting)

(grunts)

MARY: Daddy?

WILL JR.: Is he gonna be okay?

MARY: Mama, is he hurt bad?

WILL JR.: Mama, what's going on?

COOPER: Lift him up.

WILL JR.: Daddy? Excuse me.

Praise God.

(groans)

(panting)

I'm gonna have to push it through.

All right.

(grunting)

(screams)

(groans)

(panting)

Open his shirt up.

BECKY: Shh. You're gonna be fine, darling.

(grunting)

Shh.

I'm gonna have to cauterize it.

( dramatic theme playing)

(grunting and screaming)

(sizzling)

(screaming)

The Lord's watching. Shh.

Is he watching?

Is he watch...?

WALKER: Over the next few days

of living with Will Stanton's family,

Hayes Cooper became aware of something

that left a question mark

burning in the Ranger's mind.

The children, Will Jr. and Mary,

took special care each night to pray for little Timmy,

and their heartfelt concern was very clear.

Cooper himself would have been more than a little concerned

had he known that the Comanche, Red Bear,

was still on his trail

and waiting for his chance to strike back.

But Cooper was busy trying to figure out

just who little Timmy was.

Adding to the mystery was a baby's crib in the cabin

and a doll that Becky Stanton would sometimes hold

as if it were a real child.

( tender theme playing)

And finally, Cooper came to the only conclusion

that a man of his insights could arrive at.

Will, what are we gonna do?

You can start by telling me the truth.

Maybe I can help.

You don't understand, sir.

I understand you have a baby missing.

And it's my hunch someone's holding him

so you won't talk.

You're right.

Becky, you... No.

Will,

tell this man.

I trust him.

Everything you figured out is true.

Cody Diggs and his gang are holding little Timmy.

Cody Diggs.

I've heard of him.

How did you get mixed up with a man like that?

I told you I was a hell-raiser once.

I rode with Cody.

And when he found out we were here,

he asked Will if he would help him rob that bank,

and when Will refused,

he took Timmy.

(sobbing)

Where's Diggs now?

I can't tell you that.

He has your son, Mr. Stanton.

Once I'm delivered to prison,

he's promised to return Timmy.

I wouldn't count on that.

Will, please.

( melancholy theme playing)

I need you to promise me, Ranger Cooper,

to do your best to try not to take a life.

That's a tough promise to keep.

I know, but it's one I hope you'll keep.

For the birthday of Jesus.

For Christmas.

For hope of a better world.

No promises, but I'll try.

Now, where is he?

South, across the border.

A place called Devil's Hole.

Remember our talk about Christmas

and what it really means?

For me, the Christmas spirit is simple.

It's what you're doing for me and my family.

And since you don't have a family of your own,

we'd be honored if you'd think about us that way.

I'd be proud to. Thank you.

God bless you and protect you,

Ranger Cooper.

Thank you, ma'am.

MARY: Bye, Ranger.

WILL JR.: Bring back Timmy, please.

MARY: Please bring back Timmy.

WILL JR.: Bring him back to us, okay?

Bye!

WALKER: Now that Cooper knew

that Stanton was an honest man,

he was determined to rescue Timmy

from the outlaw, Cody Diggs,

and restore Stanton's family and his good name.

( tense theme playing)

WALKER: Ranger Hayes Cooper knew he was taking

the biggest risk of his life.

But for a lawman like Cooper,

there was no other choice.

He had to get that baby back to his parents.

Amen.

SALLY: I hope he does.

JOEY: Yeah.

( tender theme playing)

(men laughing)

Reneau, you're a damn cheater.

Please don't.

(groaning)

You proved your point, mister.

No need to kill him.

You're either insane or you're very, very fast.

If anyone's a friend of his,

best get him out of here.

Yes, sir.

Come on. Here we go.

(grunting)

MAN 1: You see?

MAN 2: You recognize him?

MAN 1: Don't know.

Careful, stranger.

Mister, let me give you some advice.

Get back on your horse and keep riding.

I'm looking for Cody Diggs.

I work for Cody Diggs. I'm Reneau from New Orleans.

That supposed to mean something?

It does to 12 men in Boot Hill.

Not to me.

Don't you turn your back on me.

Why did you stop my play?

Your play was over.

Anything else would have been murder.

(sniffs)

I smell righteousness.

And ethics.

I smell a damn, egg-sucking lawman.

WOMAN: What is he talking about?

( ominous theme playing)

Then maybe your nose needs fixing.

You're a dead man.

Well?

(grunts)

(groans)

Your gun-fighting days are over.

Get out of town.

WALKER: Ranger Hayes Cooper beat his man to the draw,

and true to his word to Will Stanton,

no one had died.

( slow guitar theme playing)

You just shot one of my best men.

He should have kept his gun in his holster.

Why didn't you just kill him?

Well, let's just say

I've got the Christmas spirit.

(men laughing)

You superstitious about gunning a man down on the holidays?

Could be.

Hell, I heard stranger.

You got a name?

Smith.

(laughs)

Catchy.

(chuckles)

Got a first name?

John.

Well, John Smith,

what brings you to Devil's Hole?

I come to join up, Cody Diggs.

You got a ton of sand, friend.

Just so happens I'm a man short.

You got yourself a job.

(laughs)

Drinks are on me, boys.

Yeah. All right.

(cheering)

(chattering)

She's taken.

I figured.

Leader of the pack

always gets first choice, right?

That's for true and certain.

"Leader of the pack."

I like that.

(laughs)

I like that a lot.

DIGGS: Ha!

(saloon music playing on piano)

MAN: Come on, darling.

WOMAN: That's right.

Amnesty is what I'm looking for,

then I can make some real profit.

See, the governor of Texas,

he's gonna declare amnesty real soon.

And I'm gonna get my name on that list.

(laughs)

And then what, huh?

Take a guess there, Mr. Smith.

I know what I would do.

I'd get myself elected sheriff of some fat county

and loot it six ways from Sunday.

(laughs)

(baby crying)

WALKER: Cooper got a lucky break when he spotted Timmy,

but his luck was short-lived when he saw Jake Ketchum.

Ketchum was a horse thief and a killer,

and Ranger Hayes Cooper had more than a little history

with this career criminal.

I'm gonna get some air.

In an instant, Ranger Hayes Cooper

knew that his time in Devil's Hole

had been drastically reduced.

DIGGS: Jake Ketchum, you four-eyed old man.

(laughs)

Get over here and get yourself a drink.

Thank you.

Who was that fellow?

I mean, the one with the beard

and the nice dusted coat?

DIGGS: John Smith.

He took over Reneau's place on the payroll.

Well, uh, I must be missing something here.

I'll just have a drink.

(laughs)

You're just too old.

Hey, you, girlie girl,

I'm not so old, am I, honey, huh?

Oh, my goodness.

(knocking)

(gasps)

What is it?

What do you want?

I've come for the baby.

Don't you dare touch my baby.

Ma'am, I'm a Texas Ranger,

and I've come to take the baby back to his mother.

His mother?

His mother is dead.

Cody told me his mother was dead.

Cody's lying.

His mother's alive. No.

No, you can't take him.

You can't take my baby.

Ma'am, he's not your baby.

The mother misses him very much.

I've gotta take him back to her.

(crying)

I would never take a baby from his real mother.

I mean, all I ever wanted

was someone to love,

someone to love me back.

I would never take a baby from his real mother.

(sobbing) Shhh.

Yes.

I'm sorry.

I wish there was another way.

What's his name?

Timothy.

Timothy Stanton.

Timothy.

Timothy, I love you.

(gasps)

KETCHUM: He's a Texas Ranger Man.

(thumping and grunting)

Don't kill him.

No.

( dramatic theme playing)

Well, now, how do you feel, Mr. Ranger Man?

(laughing)

(grunts)

Yep, you certainly got a ton of sand, Ranger Cooper.

And you're gonna need every bit you can muster,

because this is the final curtain.

(laughs)

(laughing)

String him up, boys.

(laughs)

How do you like my new duster coat,

Mr. Ranger Man?

(laughs)

Sure enough, fits me well.

You know, fellas,

I never thought I'd say this,

but it's gonna be kind of nice having a Ranger hanging around.

(laughing)

By the way, Cooper, Merry Christmas.

(laughs)

KIDS: What happened?

Come on! Come on, what happened?

Tell us!

(shouting and chattering)

JOEY: Did they hang him?

Did they hang Ranger Cooper?

Come on, Ranger Walker,

get on with the story.

ALL: Yeah.

Well, Joey...

DIGGS: Come on, now.

Let her rip.

(yells)

MAN: What on earth? Hey!

Watch out for the... ( action theme playing)

(yelping)

MAN 1: Hyah, hyah!

MAN 2: Come on, come on!

KETCHUM: Where's my horse?

Hell, I don't have a horse.

You are lucky today, Cooper.

I know why you came to this place.

You came for that boy child

of the man who was your prisoner

and his woman who weeps.

How did you know that?

I have ears to listen and eyes to see.

I saw and understood.

Just remember,

there is too much blood between us

to ever be friends.

But you have a good heart.

I wish you luck in bringing back that child to his parents.

May the Great Spirit guide and protect you, Red Bear.

Merry Christmas, Ranger Cooper.

( uplifting theme playing)

Well, I'll be.

KETCHUM: I'll just check in the stables.

Hey.

( dramatic theme playing)

Use it or lose it, boys.

(groaning)

(guns cock)

( upbeat action theme playing)

Now, get out of here.

(gun cocks)

Drop them, Cooper.

You know, you're a hard man to kill.

That's what's gonna make this so good.

(laughs)

Oh, my butt.

(grunts)

( uplifting theme playing)

Well, go on, finish it.

It is finished, for now, Diggs.

You mean, you're not gonna kill me?

I told you, I've got the Christmas spirit.

And I strongly suggest, Diggs,

you get into that spirit too.

(sighs)

Christmas.

(chuckles)

(moans)

(groans)

Merry Christmas.

(grunts)

So, what are your plans?

I think I'll head up north.

Maybe come through Texas.

Maybe I'll look you up.

Anytime, ma'am.

( melancholy theme playing)

Be careful.

Okay.

Well, Timmy, (thunder rumbles)

the weather doesn't look too good.

I'd better get you home.

Adios, ma'am.

Goodbye.

WALKER: And if Cooper thought the worst was over,

well, Mother Nature was letting him know

just the opposite was true.

COOPER: Lord?

I never ask you for anything,

but I'm asking now, not for me,

but for this baby and his parents.

Lord, please.

Please help me get this baby home.

( "Silent Night" playing)

Thank you, Lord.

WALKER: Something very special happened to Hayes Cooper that night.

The clouds broke,

and he followed a star to Bethlehem.

Bethlehem, Texas.

( "O Little Town of Bethlehem" playing)

(chattering)

I need some milk for the baby.

Now.

You go help him. I'll get some milk.

Would you like me to feed the baby?

Thank you, ma'am.

Shh.

(Timmy crying)

WALKER: And then on Christmas morning:

STANTON: Thank you, Lord,

for these thy gifts which we are about to receive.

And we also give thanks that most of us are together

on this birthday of your son, Jesus.

And we ask that you watch over our friend,

Ranger Hayes Cooper,

and our dear little boy, Timmy.

And we pray that wherever they may be...

(horse whinnies)

Merry Christmas, folks.

Ranger Cooper!

I've got a fat goose

and presents for everyone.

Thank you.

But the best present of all...

(crying)

Timmy, my baby. Oh!

STANTON: My Lord, Ranger, you did it.

I don't know how to thank you.

It's me who should be thanking you folks

because I finally realized

that Christmas is real.

As real as that baby.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen. Amen.

And no one died. Thank you.

Thank you, Ranger Cooper.

JOEY: So, what happened to Mr. Stanton?

Did he go to prison?

When Ranger Cooper explained the circumstances to the judge,

all charges were dropped against Mr. Stanton.

Praise the Lord.

ALL: Amen.

Yeah!

(giggles)

GIRL 1: That's a good story.

BOY 1: Yeah.

BOY 2: Thank you for the story.

GIRL 2: Thank you.

GIRL 1: Merry Christmas.

(laughs)

(in unison): Merry Christmas, everyone.

And have a safe and happy New Year.

( light action theme playing)

♪ 'Cause the eyes Of the Ranger ♪

♪ Are upon you ♪

♪ Any wrong you do He's gonna see ♪

♪ When you're in Texas Look behind you ♪

♪ 'Cause that's where The Ranger's gonna be ♪