Original subtitles

Starring James Arness as Matt Dillon.

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Chester, doggone it, I thought you were gonna be...

Well, old hoss.

Gabe.

Gabe Trumbull, is it really you?

It ain't my brother Ephraim!

By golly, Gabe, I haven't seen you for so long

I thought they did you under.

They ain't made meat out of me yet,

though they've tried it aplenty.

Well, what you doin' in Dodge?

Just as little as I can, Marshal.

Soon as I fill my sack with supplies

and wash the alkali out of my veins

with some of them Kentucky spirits,

I'll be headin' back out.

By golly, Gabe, I never thought I'd see you

in a town the size of Dodge.

Well, I wouldn't be here unless I had a reason.

I'd rather face a grizzly bear or consort with heathen

or bed down with rattlesnakes.

What's on your mind?

Well, something I seen out there on the prairie, Marshal.

I thought you ought to know.

A white girl consortin' with Injuns.

A white girl?

Yeah, fair she was, and purty, too.

Dressed like a Injun,

squawin' for a 'Rapaho buck.

Well, did you talk to her?

No. Me and the 'Rapahos ain't been speakin'

since I lived a spell with the Crows.

But I seen her, all right.

Now, Gabe, exactly what'd she look like?

Well, like I say, fair, light hair.

Uh, kind of small and delicate, but hardy.

She was sawin' away at the buffalo

like a real squaw, she was.

But purty.

Altogether a bonny female.

Small and delicate.

And fair, huh?

Would you say she's about 20 years old?

Aye, thereabouts.

Mm-hmm. Where was this, Gabe?

About two days out, up nigh to the Ladder Creek

in the Smoky Hill country.

Yeah.

Yeah, you know, that could be Mary Tabor.

It sure enough sounds like her.

Mary Tabor?

Yeah, she's from Dodge here, Gabe.

She was captured about a year ago, up near Scott City.

The Indians attacked a stagecoach up there.

They killed four men, they took Mary captive.

And then no trace of her since then.

And that was right up in that Smoky Hill country, too.

Could be her.

This one ain't been captive much longer than that

or she'd've lost more of her looks than she has.

You mean she didn't look as though she was mistreated?

Well, I didn't see no sign of it.

And this buck sure enough had an eye on her.

Maybe he softened things.

Yeah.

Well, I'd better get over and tell her father about that.

Gabe, do you think you could lead us back to the place?

Oh, no, not me.

I wasted too much time already.

Besides, it wouldn't do no good.

This was a hunting party... They was travelin'.

Wouldn't be in the same place by now.

Let the bluecoats find 'em.

Well, Gabe, thanks for telling me.

Uh, you know, Marshal,

I got to thinkin' on them Kentucky spirits and...

and here I am.

Well, Gabe, maybe I could buy you a drink, huh?

Well, I won't say no to that.

This child's half dried out.

Let's go.

- Chester. - Huh?

Hey, this is an old friend of mine here, Gabe Trumbull.

- Hi, there. - I'm gonna be riding out

to Henry Tabor's in a few minutes.

Would you mind saddling up a horse for me?

Oh, yeah, I'll do that.

Okay, fine.

Huh. By golly, he ain't hardly got the bark off yet, has he?

Sure ain't.

Mary... Are you sure?

No, Henry, I'm not sure.

That's why I don't want you to get your hopes too high.

But where? Where is she?

Well, she was seen

with some Arapahoes up in the Smoky Hill country.

Now, Gabe Trumbull tells me that

she was a small sort of delicate blonde girl about 20 years old.

Yeah, well, is she all right?

She's alive, that's the most important thing.

Well, this is kind of hitting me, Marshal.

I... I sort of reconciled myself to it that she's gone forever.

Do you have a picture of her?

Yes, I had a tintype made about a year and a half ago.

Good. We'll show that to Gabe.

Well, then what, Marshal?

Well, the cavalry will have to handle this thing, Henry.

And the Indians will want some ransom.

You'll have to get together a wagonload of goods.

Now, we'll find out from Gabe what they'll need out there,

what'll tempt 'em most.

Yeah, fine, fine. Well, we better get started.

Something may go wrong.

Henry, look, if she's been alive out there all these months,

nothing's gonna happen to her in the next few days.

Yeah, I guess I am being foolish,

but I've given her up I guess

I know how you must feel.

Supposing it is her, Marshal?

What's it gonna be like for her coming back here now?

What do you mean?

Well, you know how people are,

and her living with the Indians all these months.

Nobody can blame her for anything.

I know. But I was just thinking.

Now, Henry, she's not back here yet.

We don't even know for sure if it's her.

The first thing we're gonna do is show the picture to Gabe.

If he identifies it, we'll go out to the fort

and talk to the Colonel.

Yeah, well, you're right, yes.

Oh, I'll be glad to see her, Marshal, no matter what.

Well, howdy, Miss Kitty.

Hello, Chester. How about a beer?

Uh, well, no.

What's the matter with you?

Nothing. Why?

What, are you sick?

Well, no, I'm not sick.

Chester, has the cavalry come yet?

No, but Mr. Tabor said that they're due any minute now.

By golly, you ought to see the pile of goods

he's got out there for ransom.

Well, it's, it's enough to break the man.

You know he ain't rich.

She's his only daughter, Chester.

Well, I know, but he don't begrudge it none.

It's just that it seems like a lot to be giving

them murdering savages is all.

Well, what do you mean?

You mean, you think it's too much for just one girl?

Well, I didn't say that, no.

I suppose you have any idea what she might be going through.

Well, now, I didn't mean nothing by it, Miss Kitty.

It just seems to me that you're just paying 'em

for their deviltry, that's all.

Kitty, we don't know exactly what she's been going through.

You men.

- She's alive. - Yeah.

That's more than you can say

- for the four men that were with her. - Yeah.

They're the lucky ones if you ask me.

Troop, dismount!

It's them, Mr. Dillon. It's the cavalry.

Get this wagon loaded fast.

Captain Benter, you're heading this patrol?

That's right.

I hadn't expected. I thought, I thought

probably one of the lieutenants.

You think this is not important enough for a captain, Mr. Tabor?

You know that isn't what I think.

What do you mean?

I think you know what I mean.

It's Benter, Marshal.

Of all the officers the Colonel could choose,

why would he pick the worst Indian hater in the cavalry?

Because he's had the most experience, Henry.

Even talks some Arapaho.

He's much better at killing than he is negotiating.

He would much rather wipe those Arapaho out

than trade with them.

It's dangerous having a man like him in that command.

He's not gonna do anything

to jeopardize Mary's safety, Henry.

What does he care about her? She's only a girl.

She's not a soldier. She's expendable.

Matt, I think I have to agree with him.

You know his reputation as an Indian hater,

and he's got a hair-trigger temper.

Worst possible man for the job.

I agree with you, but you know the Colonel out there.

If he decided on Benter, he's not gonna change his mind.

There's nothing can be done about it.

There is something that can be done.

Matt, you're my friend.

You're Mary's friend, she's my daughter.

I bought those goods.

I ought to be able to pick the man

who's gonna turn 'em over.

Well, you'd be awful good insurance in this case,

I'll tell you that.

Matt, you know as well as I do

her life is in danger with Benter.

All right.

Thanks, Marshal.

Captain, if you'll hold up just long enough

for Chester and I to get our stuff together,

we'll be going along with ya.

You, Marshal? Why?

You wouldn't mind having a couple extra guns

just in case of trouble, would you?

You think I can't handle this, Marshal?

Hardly that, Captain.

Let's just say I've got an itch and I want to get out of Dodge.

You want some excitement. All right, come along.

I can give it to you.

That's what I figured.

What'd you say, Marshal?

♪♪

Fresh killed.

Yeah, we're getting close.

They're supposed to be camped somewhere along Ladder Creek.

Maybe I'd better ride on out and scout ahead, sir.

It won't be necessary, Sergeant.

Arapahos, too.

They caught us in a bad place.

What do we do now, sir?

Tell them to lead us in to their camp.

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Pretty good sized village.

We expect to be outnumbered, Marshal.

Does it bother you?

No, they look peaceful enough to me.

We'll make camp here on this knoll.

Use your saddles for breastwork.

I want every other man on guard at all times.

You know, Captain,

the Arapahos usually don't give you much trouble.

What's the matter with you, Marshal?

They took the girl, didn't they? That's trouble enough.

Just let's make sure we don't push them into anything.

I guess you haven't fought Indians like I have.

Well, you may get your chance yet.

Anyway, we're gonna be ready for them.

Here comes their chief.

I rejoice that these eyes have found you once again, neiha.

And I that my eyes see you again, neisana.

Do the bluecoats bring goods for the Arapaho?

Well, something like that, neisana.

Would you sit down and smoke with us?

Let's not bother with that nonsense.

- Look, you're holding a white gi... - Captain,

it's common courtesy to sit down and smoke with them.

I don't need to be courteous, Marshal.

These people aren't my friends.

Now look, you're holding a white girl prisoner here.

A white woman?

Don't try to deny it.

We know she's here.

I did not say she is not.

But you think my people took her.

I don't care who took her.

Right now, I want her back, do you understand?

That is not for me to decide.

I did not pay the five horses for her.

Wait a minute!

Where're you going?

I do not talk without smoking.

I do not like it.

- Come back here! - Oh, hold on.

Just let him go.

I'll ride down there and have a smoke with him.

Who do you think you are, Marshal?

I'm in command here.

I'm not arguing that with you, Benter.

He's an old friend.

It won't do any harm to go down and have a smoke with him.

Do as you like, but see that we get the girl.

That's what we came here for.

I do not like that bluecoat, neiha.

He will do no harm, Lone Eagle.

I am not sure.

Neisana, before we smoke,

I'd like to see the girl.

Have no fear; she is well.

It isn't that.

I'd just like to talk to her, that's all.

If you wish to talk to her,

she is in the lodge of Spotted Wolf.

This one will show you.

Hello, Mary.

Marshal Dillon.

Mary, we've... we've come to take you home.

Mary, you... you're sure looking fine.

You... you look just fine.

Y-You're the first white man I've seen.

I... I-I feel ashamed somehow.

No need for that, Mary.

I'm an old friend, remember?

It seems like another world, seeing you.

I know, but it's over now, Mary.

You're going back home.

Am I, Marshal?

You're going back to your father and your friends.

Well, you-you think it'll be that easy?

After a year with the Indians?

They're all back there, waiting for you, Mary.

Oh.

I've seen how they look at women who come back.

I've seen them.

God help me, I...

I looked at some of those women that same way myself once.

I know what I was thinking.

The ones that count won't think anything, Mary.

They'll just be glad to have you back.

My father, will he be glad?

There's a wagonload of ransom out there, Mary.

He strapped himself to get those things

so he could have you back.

Did he do that because he wanted to

or because he had to,

because he was ashamed not to?

Ashamed?

Well, he did that because he loves you and he wants you back.

You're going home, Mary.

You know, at first that was all I could think of.

I used to watch all day

and lie awake at night, listening,

praying for the sound of the cavalry,

anything.

Then gradually, I gave up hoping,

and later, it didn't matter.

And now I...

I don't know, Marshal, I don't know.

Guess it, uh,

must have been pretty hard on you, Mary.

Oh, it's hard, Marshal, but...

There are other things here.

Good things.

Well, you mean then they treated you all right?

How about this Spotted Wolf? Did he, uh...

Oh, no, no.

Well, but, uh, he bought you, didn't he?

Aren't you his slave?

No, Marshal.

Oh, it-it was a Cheyenne war party

that attacked the stage and killed all those men.

They made me travel with them.

It seemed like forever,

and then after a while, we ran into some Arapahos,

and they sold me to Spotted Wolf.

For five horses.

He valued me.

He still does.

Well, your father values you, too, Mary.

He sold everything he's got to get you back.

Look, uh...

You know, we got some new clothes for you

out in the wagon there.

Your father thought of that.

When do we leave?

Well, you'll have to spend one more night here, Mary.

We can't make the transfer until morning.

But then you'll be safe and on your way home.

It's hard to believe.

Spotted Wolf.

This is Marshal Dillon.

He's come to take me back home.

No.

She is mine.

We did not come to steal her, Spotted Wolf.

We came to make fair trade.

We've brought many goods.

No.

I will not sell her.

She stays here.

I'll be back later, Mary.

All right, ten bags of sugar.

That's all there is in the wagon.

There's nothing more to offer.

What do you say?

I cannot answer.

He must say.

No.

What's the matter with him?

Does he understand we've offered him a fortune?

He understands.

Well, what does he want?

It's only a girl.

He only paid a few horses for her,

and we've offered goods worth ten times that.

He does not want the goods.

He wants nothing.

The girl must stay here.

Now, wait a minute!

He has paid for her. She belongs to him!

- Now look here! - Benter...

let me talk, will ya?

All right, go ahead if you can get any sense of out 'em.

Neisana...

the white man's law does not allow slavery.

But this is Indian country. It has always been so here.

It can be so no longer.

The white girl must be returned to her people.

Now, we brought goods to make the loss easier,

but we did not come to buy her.

Even without the goods,

the girl must be returned to her home.

Otherwise, there will be trouble for the Arapaho.

No! She stay!

Wait a minute.

Let him go. It is better this way.

You want guns to hunt with?

- How many? - Ten.

All right, 20. That's all I've got.

And the bullet?

Yes. But none of it till you turn over the girl.

And if there are any tricks,

you and your people will pay for it in blood.

I promise you that.

There will be no trick.

All right, I'm holding you responsible.

And I want no trouble from Spotted Wolf. Agreed?

I have already given my word.

All right, we'll be ready at dawn to make the transfer...

out there on that hill.

You coming?

I'll be along in a minute.

Neisana, do you think you can deal with Spotted Wolf?

It will not be easy.

Maybe I can help.

Maybe if you and I talk to him.

And what would neiha say that would help?

Let me try.

Come. We will go to his lodge.

Spotted Wolf... where is he?

He is gone.

He take horse and ride away.

And the white girl?

She is gone, too.

- Wait. - I've got to get her back and fast.

It is a duty my people must do.

You do not trust me?

All right, Neisana, I'll trust ya.

Then do not tell Chief Bluecoat.

I will have her safely back.

If she's not back by morning, I'll have to tell him.

She will be here.

Come on! Hurry it up!

We haven't got forever.

Everything in one pile, except the ammunition boxes.

Put 'em in the back there.

And open those boxes

just in case we need some extra ammunition.

You're expecting trouble, are you, Captain?

I said just in case. It's possible.

We've got to be ready to fight our way out.

You think we could?

We could. And we could teach 'em a good lesson, too.

Hit 'em when they don't expect it.

Shoot 'em down and burn the village.

You do that and you'll never see Mary Tabor again.

I'm in command here, Marshal,

and I'll do whatever I think the situation demands.

And I'll report it.

If you're still alive.

Here they come.

Sergeant, get ready to move out.

- Neiha. - Neisana.

I have brought the white girl.

Two will deliver her to the wagon, and two will accept her.

It is agreed?

Agreed.

You touch nothing till we're out of sight, do you hear?

I keep my word.

Good-bye, Neisana. Thank you.

Benter, Chester and I will stay behind for the girl.

We'll meet you on up ahead.

Chester, you drive the wagon, will you?

Yes, sir.

Good, once they get their hands on those guns,

anything could happen.

We'll be ready for 'em.

Mount up! Move out!

Spotted Wolf... I'm sorry.

You won't punish him for this? You'll let him go?

After you are gone. Take her.

Come on, Mary.

Ha!

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Ho!

Hello, Miss Tabor.

Glad to see you're all right.

Patrol, move out!

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Saw something wrong, Sergeant?

I thought I saw something, Marshal.

- Where? - Right over there.

Just a movement.

Rest your horses!

Trooper MacDonald, take over the wagon.

Golly, Mr. Dillon,

I've got a creepy feeling that somebody's been watching us.

Well, maybe we're all just a little bit jumpy, Chester.

I don't know. I'll sure be glad to get back to Dodge.

We're getting closer all the time.

Yeah, and father away from them Indians.

Unless they're following us.

There!

It was an Indian, wasn't it?

Yes, sir, you want me to go out and scout around?

No, we stay together and keep going.

Okay, sir, it's clear!

Make camp in the clearing across the creek.

In the open where we can see the approaches.

Graze the horses under guard till dark.

It'll bring 'em in and picking 'em close.

Double the guard all night.

I want every man alert and ready to fight.

What do you make of it, Marshal?

Well, I don't know.

They could just be just keeping us under observation

until we leave their hunting grounds.

Why would they do that?

I don't know. Why don't I take the sergeant here

and scout around a little bit? Maybe we can find something.

Go ahead.

See what you can find.

Sergeant, let's scout

down along the other side of the creek bed here.

Brought his horse down to water.

He's ahead of us.

Must've figured we'd have to camp here.

Yeah, it's the only water around.

And it'd be a fine place to attack us.

There's only one Indian, Sergeant.

Well, sure. A scout.

Well, maybe, but we've only seen one so far.

Yeah, you're right.

One rider, one horse print.

What do you think it's all about, Marshal?

I'm not sure.

He's probably watching us right now.

Yeah, let's get back to camp.

Somewhere up there probably, in the brush.

We might take him by surprise, surround him and capture him.

I wouldn't count on it.

I wouldn't either,

but that means he can go off after dark

and bring the rest of them in on us.

If that's what he's here for.

Why else would he be here?

I don't know,

but there's somebody who might.

Who?

Mary Tabor.

What are you trying to say, Marshal?

That the Indian is in love with the girl?

Could be something like that.

Then that shows how much you know about Indians,

They don't have any more feelings than a dog.

Is that so?

Of course it is.

They wouldn't know how to love a woman.

They use 'em like animals, that's all.

That's why he hated to lose her.

Well, Mary says that he treated her pretty well.

You believe that?

Yeah.

Then you are a fool.

He'd like to have her back, all right,

but no Indian is gonna commit suicide over a woman.

You're pretty sure of that, huh?

- Of course I am. - All right,

then you got nothing to worry about...

you can call off your guards.

You're the one who thinks he's alone.

I'm going to be ready for a fight.

And any Indian who shows his face around here...

Lovesick or no... Is a dead Indian.

Uh, Miss Tabor, supper's gonna be ready pretty soon now.

Is there anything I can do for you before then?

No. No, thank you.

Mm-hmm.

Mary...

Tell me something, Mary:

uh, what kind of a man was Spotted Wolf?

Well, why do you ask that, Marshal?

Oh, just curious, that's all.

Uh, he was a good man.

Kind and gentle.

He treated you well, then, did he?

Just like the rest of his family.

Oh, he was married, then... he had children and all?

Yes.

Uh-huh.

Seems to me most of those Arapaho braves

have more than one wife, don't they?

What are you thinking, Marshal?

Well, just, uh...

wondering if maybe he didn't consider that, uh,

maybe you'd be his wife, one day?

Oh, I couldn't say.

You think that's him out there, don't you?

Yeah.

I think you do, too.

Well, why?

Why would he follow me?

I was hoping you could tell me that.

I... I don't know.

I don't even know for sure it's him.

Hmm, but, Mary, if it is him out there,

why would he follow you all this way

if you were nothing more than just another woman to him?

Maybe because I'm different,

because I'm white.

You really think that's the reason, do you?

No. Not really.

We got along, Spotted Wolf and I.

I worked hard and he demanded a lot,

but I think maybe it was because he wanted to show the others

that not all white women are useless.

They believe that, you know.

Mm-hmm, so you worked hard and made him proud of you and all.

I tried.

And he was?

I think so.

Then I wonder why he didn't make you his wife.

He was going to.

Well, okay, I won't bother you anymore.

Marshal, if that is Spotted Wolf out there somewhere,

what do you think he'll do?

He'll probably try to sneak in here

and get you, don't you think?

And they'll stop him.

It's their job to bring you back, Mary.

But you mustn't let them hurt him.

It's kinda hard to tell about a man, Mary.

Maybe that if he can't have you, he won't want anybody else to.

But they mustn't hurt him.

Promise me you won't let them.

Now, let's don't worry about it.

Maybe he won't even try to come in.

Maybe he'll know that he doesn't stand a chance here.

Let's hope so.

On your feet!

Check the picket line.

I'm going down by the creek.

Mr. Dillon?

Yeah?

You hear that dove's cooin'.

Yeah.

But it ain't dawn yet.

Mr. Dillon.

Quiet, Chester.

I don't want anybody to get hurt.

Look, I'm going out there after her.

You follow me up in a couple of minutes.

And keep a sharp eye out.

Mary.

Marshal!

No! No, Spotted Wolf! No!

Please! He's my friend.

Might just try to get her back...

Drop that dagger.

Drop it or you're a dead Indian.

Well, Mary?

You just had to come out here, did you?

I had to talk to him. I... I had to warn him.

I was afraid if I didn't come,

he'd do something foolish and... and be killed.

Is that the only reason?

What difference does it make?

It might make a lot of difference.

Well, it's just that...

he could've treated me like a slave,

but instead, he courted me.

Oh, I was frightened at first, but then...

then later, I wasn't frightened.

It was beautiful.

I suppose it's hard to believe, isn't it?

No. No, it isn't.

Well, I'm not ashamed.

Mary, when you came out here tonight,

you knew that if he ever got his hands on you,

he would never let you go again.

Yes.

I guess I did.

All right, what do you want to do?

You mean you'd let me go if I wanted to?

Well, if I kept you from it,

it'd be something you'd regret all your life.

I'm afraid that's a decision

you're going to have to make yourself.

Spotted Wolf?

There he is!

Get him!

No! No, run, Spotted Wolf!

- I'll only slow you down! - Benter, hold your fire!

All done, ma'am.

I'm awful sorry.

He had that knife in his hand...

I understand, Sergeant.

He must've been crazy.

Well, anyways, it's all over now.

Nothing more to fear.

Whole thing'll be forgotten about before long.

Will it?

Well, I... I only meant... You know.

I know, Sergeant.

I'm sorry.

Well, Mary, I... I brought you this.

It's his medicine bag.

Thought you might like to have it.

Oh, Mary, I'm sorry. I...

Wish there was something I could say.

He loved me so.

Come on, we... we have to get started now.

Allow me.

Mary... Mary, I'm a soldier.

I'm not much for apologies.

How could you apologize for being what you are?

Forward, ho!

Well, we got Mary all right, Mr. Dillon.

You know, I feel like things

couldn't have gone much worse for her.

Yeah.

You know, some of the men are already calling this place

Spotted Wolf Crossing.

Think that name'll stick?

Well, it's a good name, Chester.

And he was a good man.