Original subtitles

Starring James Arness as Matt Dillon.

Doc?

Doc?

Who's there?

Uh... uh... it's me.

Well, who's me?

Uh... it's Chester, Doc.

Well, what are you doing?!

Nothing.

Nothing?

Well, you're making an awful lot of noise for doing nothing.

Well, I don't feel very good, Doc.

Well, I heard you rattling the b...

What were you doing with the bottles?

Oh, I was just looking there to see if there was something

that could kind of help me.

What-what is that here?

Well, that's liniment.

Do you want a shot of that?

Well, what would it do for me?

You know, I wouldn't have to know anything at all,

as far as you're concerned, about being a doctor.

Why?

Well, because, all I'd have to do is just fill up some bottles

with anything and line 'em up and let you take your pick.

What in thunder's wrong with you?

Well, Doc, it's that same old thing.

Just every once in a while,

there's a kind of a-a sharp, shooting pain, just, mm.

Yeah, well, you probably swallowed a nail.

Oh, Doc now I'm sick, I really am, and I need your help.

And there ain't no need for you to talk like that.

Now, what do you think it could be?

I think it could probably be indigestion.

You think that's it?

Well, I was with you at dinner

last night at Delmonico's, you know.

Yeah.

Well, you can't stuff food

into yourself like that without paying for it.

You can't feel good the next...

Oh! There it is again.

Well, here.

Just, uh, take that,

and about two tablespoons full of that every hour.

What is it?

Well, it's medicine.

Well, I know that it's medicine.

Well, that's all you have to know. I'm a doctor.

Well, I thought if I'd knowed what it was,

well, then, the next time, if this come on...

Yeah.

Yes, I know, the next time, then,

you wouldn't have to come to me at all,

and that way, you could save two dollars.

Two dollars? Just for that?

For that and my professional knowledge and skill.

Well, I...

I guess I'll either have to give it back to you, Doc,

or-or you can wait until payday,

or maybe I could borrow it, and...

Chester, no.

Just take that, and just go, get out of here.

Oh. Right now.

Sure do thank you, Doc.

I'll-I'll get to work with this right away.

Oh... Miss Kitty.

Well, what's ailing you?

Oh, it's just them shooting pains

that I get every once in a while.

Doc gave me something for it.

Well, you take care of yourself.

I hope you feel better.

Oh, thanks a whole lot.

Hello, Kitty.

Doc.

I just bumped into Chester.

Says he doesn't feel good.

- Oh. - Is it serious?

Oh, yes, it certainly is serious.

He-He's going to be the death of me.

Oh.

Did you, uh...?

You come up here by any chance

to invite me to dinner, maybe?

Well, that's a good idea,

but what I really came for was to get some headache powders.

- Oh, you got a headache? - Oh, no, I'm all right.

It's for one of the girls.

Whiskey and cowboys are kind of hard on the constitution.

All right, there you are.

- Directions right on it. - Thanks, Doc.

Now... how about the dinner?

Well, if you want to come with me

while I drop these off at the Long Branch,

then we can go on to Delmonico's,

and I'll let you buy me dinner.

Well, now, you worked that around pretty good.

- Mm-hmm. - Let's go.

Well, hello there, honey.

You talking to me?

Why, you're the prettiest little thing I seen in this town yet.

How about me and you havin' a drink?

Well, I think you've had just about enough already.

Let's go.

Well, now, hold on there.

- Take your hands off me! - Well, I...

Did you hear what the lady said?

You get outta here!

Well, you're a little wildcat, ain't you?

I like that.

Now here, never mind him.

Honey, he can't cause us no trouble.

Come on, we're gonna have a little fun.

Come on here, now.

Come on, honey, we're gonna have a little fun...

Oh!

Oh!

Kitty!

What'd he do, Kitty?

He hit Doc.

Well, what'd he do then?

Push you in the water trough or something?

He did not, I tripped.

Are you all right, Kitty?

- I'm fine. How are you? - Well, I'm fine.

Doc, what happened here, anyway?

When he wakes up, why don't you ask him?

Kitty, I was taking you to the Long Branch.

We need a drink.

What's your name?

Emil Peck.

I catch you in any more trouble around here,

you're going to jail.

You got that?

Now beat it.

What kind of a character would you call that, Marshal?

One with all the bark on, sure.

Well, I judge him to be a wolfer.

- Can't be much of a living. - How are you, Corporal?

Your wounds healing up on you all right?

Fine. It's been four months.

Thank you.

Say, lookee there.

I wonder who she is.

Hiya, Matt.

Hello, Jim.

Jim, how was the trip?

Fine, thanks, Matt.

Say, who was that lady that just came in on the coach?

Her name's Arthur.

Mrs. Frank Arthur.

Frank Arthur...

Oh, she's the wife of that Captain who was killed

in the Kiowa massacre a few months back.

I wonder why in the world she came way out here?

I don't know.

- Mrs. Arthur. - Colonel Ebert.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

I only regret the circumstances.

Yes, of course.

I can assure you everyone here shares your loss.

Your husband was a fine officer and a fine gentleman.

Yes, but he was a fool, too.

To have come all the way out here

when he had a perfectly safe post in Washington.

One I arranged myself.

Well, some men aren't happy at a desk.

I'd say Captain Arthur was a born field officer.

He was a great favorite here.

He was a favorite everywhere.

Too bad you didn't come out with him.

I had wanted to, but Frank wouldn't hear of it.

I can't tell whether he was trying to spare me or himself.

I've had a letter from your uncle, Senator Wilbo,

and another from the Secretary of War.

Yes, I know.

They ask me to give you every assistance possible,

but they don't say in what way I'm to assist you.

Colonel... I've come to find my husband.

But... Madame...

Officially, he's only missing.

Yes, but I thought you understood.

Out here, that simply means he's dead.

There was only one survivor

of that massacre down in the Nations.

He saw it all.

He saw Captain Arthur in the thick of it,

fighting for his life,

surrounded... and struck down.

Well, then, it's possible that my husband was wounded,

or taken prisoner.

The Kiowa don't usually take prisoners...

especially Army officers.

Well, then, perhaps as a hostage.

Mrs. Arthur, you can pray

your husband died on that battlefield.

If they took him, he's no longer alive.

But there were no prisoners, we're almost certain of that.

I'm sorry, but your husband is dead.

Not officially.

No, not officially.

We can't close his file

until there is some actual proof of death.

Now, Colonel, that's why I'm here.

I'm not satisfied that my husband is dead.

And I would like his remains to take home

for the funeral I've prepared.

Funeral?

Yes, in Arlington Cemetery in Washington.

With full military honors.

He's to have the grave of a hero.

I see.

The only trouble is, Mrs. Arthur,

we have no body to give you.

Well, then, we must find it.

Or him.

We've made a thorough search for your husband.

I don't think another is warranted.

Then I'll go myself.

No, I won't allow it.

Colonel Ebert...

must I remind you of those letters?

And may I read to you

from the letter of the Secretary of War?

"All assistance possible consistent with your orders

and with due consideration for her safety."

It's neither consistent with my orders,

nor in the interest of your safety,

for you or anyone else

to violate the treaty and enter Indian Territory now.

I can't help you, Mrs. Arthur.

I'm sorry.

If you had written, I might have saved you the long trip.

One day, perhaps,

someone will find the remains of your husband.

If so, I'll do whatever I can.

Oh, Mrs. Arthur...

this is Corporal Jennings, the man mentioned earlier...

the last to see your husband alive.

Corporal.

Pleased to make your acquaintance, ma'am.

If you'd like to question him...

Later, perhaps.

Tomorrow.

Of course. What time? I'll have him here.

Would you allow the corporal to come to see me at Dodge

at my hotel?

Why, yes, it could be arranged.

I'll have Major Blackburn set it up.

Thank you.

She sure is a nice-looking lady, isn't she, sir?

I feel mighty sorry for her, don't you?

Sorry, Corporal?

I suppose so.

Well, what are you up to, Chester?

Well, I was gonna darn these socks, Mr. Dillon,

but I just don't think that they're worth it.

Looks to me like you better buy some new ones.

Well, I think you're right.

I guess I can work on these long handles,

get them fixed up for the winter.

You're rushing the season there a little, aren't you?

There was a nip in the air this morning, Mr. Dillon.

Won't be long.

Oh. How do you do, ma'am?

How do you do?

- Marshal Dillon? - Yes, Mrs. Arthur?

- You know who I am? - Well, just about everybody

in Dodge has heard about your being here.

And I've heard about you, Marshal.

Do you know that they say that you know more about the Indians

down in the territory than anyone else in Dodge.

And you are a United States marshal,

and you could go down there if you wish.

If there's good reason to.

I think there's a good reason.

I'd like you to take me there, Marshal.

I'd like to find my husband.

You know where that ambush took place?

Mrs. Arthur, this is a job for the army.

Colonel Ebert refused to take me.

He said something about a treaty.

He claims that my husband is dead.

And I say if he's dead then there's some proof,

there's something that we can find.

Well, I hate to tell you this, but I agree with Colonel Ebert.

Your husband's been gone for over four months.

I don't think there's a chance he's alive.

How do you know that? How can you all be so sure?

Suppose... suppose he's not dead.

Suppose he's being held a prisoner

or he's sick or he's wounded or...

I'm sorry, Marshal.

Chester, maybe she'd like a cup of coffee.

No, thank you, Marshal.

Actually, I...

suppose I know that you're right.

He's dead.

It's just that I don't want him to lie out there

in some nameless grave.

I want to give him a heroes burial in Arlington.

Please help me, Marshal.

Well, if the army hasn't been able to find him, I...

I don't suppose it would be proper

to offer a United States marshal money?

No, it wouldn't.

And you won't do anything to help me?

Mrs. Arthur, maybe you don't realize it,

but going down there is against the law.

It is?

Yes, and my job is to enforce the law, not break it.

It's very admirable, I'm sure.

Well, I guess that you was right, Mr. Dillon,

but it seemed like you was kind of hard on her.

Have you ever stopped to think what she might find down there?

Well, it just could be that he might be alive.

The Indians don't take army officers prisoner, Chester.

Maybe it's better if she never finds out

what happened to her husband.

I'm going to Delmonico's.

I'm gonna have the special.

How's your jaw?

It's pretty sore.

Maybe you better have soup.

Well, I should say not. I want some of that steak there.

- Hello. - Hello, Matt.

Sit down.

Joe, guess I'll have a steak.

How're you feeling?

I'm feeling fine, fine.

At least he can talk.

I certainly hope you jarred his teeth some, though.

Well, I think Kitty had him

pretty well softened up when I got there.

Oh, say, didn't I see that Mrs. Arthur

going into your office a while ago?

- Yeah. - Offered you money to take her down there

and find her husband, huh?

That's about it.

I don't understand it.

She's offering all kinds of money

for anybody who'll take her down there.

A kind of a reward for her husband, dead or alive.

Preferably alive, we presume.

♪♪

Hello, Marshal.

Hello, Corporal.

You were with him on that dreadful day.

Yes, ma'am.

It was just a routine patrol down there.

The captain had 16 of us troopers with him.

We knew there'd been trouble,

but we hadn't any idea these renegades were close by.

Yes, but you said you saw him

in the thick of the fighting, surrounded?

Yes, ma'am.

He was always in the thick of things.

He was a great soldier, Mrs. Arthur.

We all thought a lot of him.

I'm sure you did, as I did.

But you said you saw him struck down?

Yes, ma'am.

How?

Do I have to say?

Please.

It was a lance, ma'am.

In the back.

It went clean through.

Then you're sure that he was killed.

I don't see how he could have lived after that.

Because then they all closed in and...

No, he's dead all right.

I'm sorry.

Thank you for telling me, Corporal.

You're very kind.

Tell me, what is your name again?

It's Jennings, ma'am.

Johnny Jennings.

Johnny.

Johnny, would you do me a favor?

Why, sure, anything I can.

Well, I would like to go where it happened.

Could you take me there?

Well, Mrs. Arthur, I can't.

The colonel wouldn't allow it.

You needn't worry about the colonel.

I have a great deal of influence in Washington.

My uncle is a senator,

and my friend is secretary of war.

But against orders? Desert?

You needn't do that.

You could take a leave of absence.

I promise you, you'll have no trouble.

I-I just couldn't do it.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Arthur.

Are you afraid to go back there, Johnny?

No ma'am, not to go there, but against orders?

I couldn't take a chance like that.

Not even for money?

A thousand dollars, two thousand?

You could name your price.

No, ma'am.

I wouldn't take money.

I didn't think you would.

What then can I offer you?

Why, Mrs. Arthur?

I know you won't find your husband alive.

Then I have to find him dead.

I loved him.

Can't any of you understand that?

Yes, of course.

Well, then I have to find him

even if it means that I find that I'm alone.

Alone.

Mrs. Arthur.

I'm sorry, Johnny.

You're very nice.

I like you.

You're much too good just to be a corporal in the cavalry.

I'm sure we could find something better than that for you,

in Washington.

You've been a great comfort to me.

More than anyone else has been.

And I've needed someone to talk to.

Oh, Johnny, can't you please help me.

Ma'am...

Johnny.

What are we thinking of?

I don't even know if...

I don't know if Frank...

Don't you see, I've got to find out.

Will you please take me there?

Let me think about it.

I'll come back later.

Tonight.

♪♪

Whiskey.

Hello, Corporal.

Marshal.

I didn't know you were a drinking man.

I'm not breaking any law, am I?

No, I guess not

unless you're wanted back out at the fort or something.

That's no worry of yours, is it?

Tell me something just out of curiosity,

what is the penalty for desertion in the army now?

I don't know exactly.

In my day, it was the firing squad.

But of course, that was during the war.

I suppose now it's only five, maybe ten years hard labor

or something like that, huh?

I don't know what you're getting at, Marshal.

You think I'm absent without leave or something?

Well, no, of course not.

Freddy, bring me a glass, will you?

Coming right up, Marshal.

Mind if I join you?

No, go ahead.

Well, that Captain Arthur's wife was by to see me today.

Finally found out what she's doing in Dodge.

Wants to go down to the Indian nations

and find her husband's body.

Must be pretty anxious, too.

She's offering anybody a lot of money

who will take her down there.

Want another one?

No, thanks.

Where you going, back out to the fort?

Yeah.

You don't have to worry, Marshal.

Mrs. Arthur.

Have you changed your mind, Marshal?

I'm afraid not.

I was just going out.

Mrs. Arthur, I understand you're trying to get somebody

to take you down to the Nations.

I told you once, that's against the law.

- So you did. - Mrs. Arthur,

I don't want you to try to go down there.

Sir, I do whatever I find necessary for me to do.

My conscience has always been guide enough for me.

And I do not fear United States Marshals.

Yes, I know.

You have friends in Washington.

I wouldn't count on them this time.

And I'll tell you something else.

I just saw Corporal Jennings.

He's headed back out to the fort.

I don't think he's gonna help you either.

Mrs. Arthur.

You are Mrs. Arthur, ain't you?

Who are you?

Emil Peck.

You want to go down to Lance Creek, I'm your man.

You know the exact place?

To the very tree.

- How do you know? - Best way possible.

Heard it direct from the Kiowas.

I can take you right to the place.

No danger, either.

They know me.

When can we leave?

Nothing keeping me.

If you give me some money, on account,

I'll get the horses and some grub.

We can leave tonight, after dark,

so that no one will see us.

Mr. Dillon, you like a little more coffee?

No. No, thanks, Chester.

Marshal! Oh, Marshal!

What is it, Howard?

It's that Mrs. Arthur.

I've been watching out like you asked me to.

So, this morning, when she didn't come down for breakfast,

I got suspicious.

And I went up to her room.

She's skipped out.

Bed wasn't even slept in last night.

- All right. Thanks, Howard. - Sure, Marshal.

I warned her to stay out of there.

Now what happens is on her own head.

You mean you won't even send a squad after her?

I'd have to send a whole regiment, if I sent one man.

Even that wouldn't be enough.

No, I can't take the chance.

This is her own crazy doing.

No responsibility of mine or yours.

You know, Colonel, it isn't just the Indians

out there that bother me.

It's that man she went out there with... that Emil Peck.

Look, Marshal, maybe you can slip in and out of there

without attracting attention, but not a troop of cavalry.

It's up to you.

I'll show you on the map exactly where it is.

You can do a whole lot better than that, Colonel.

You can send a man along who can take me right there...

Corporal Jennings.

I can't order him to go with you into that kind of danger.

Especially after what he's been through down there.

I know you can't order him,

but you can ask him, couldn't you?

All right.

But if he goes, he goes as a soldier on leave

and out of uniform.

I'll send for him.

Of course, you can still refuse, Corporal.

Nobody will think anything about it.

Understand, Corporal, you don't have to go.

In fact, I'd rather you didn't.

The marshal will find the place without you.

At least it'll be a little faster with you.

Every minute counts, for her.

I said I'd go, sir.

Can I get down and rest a minute?

Suit yourself.

It's your picnic.

Oh!

How much further is it?

Oh, it's a little piece yet.

Well, how much further? An hour? Two hours?

We might not get there before dark.

We've been moving pretty slow.

Why? Because of me?

Well, we needn't. Let's go.

What's that stream down there?

I don't recall the name.

I haven't been down this way for quite a while.

And all these little streams get to look pretty much alike.

Are you sure you know where you're going?

Course I know where I'm going.

What are you worried about?

All right, let's go.

Giddyap.

Come on!

Hah!

They're still heading the same way.

Either he doesn't know where he's going,

or he's deliberately taking her roundabout.

That's what I'm afraid of.

What do you mean?

He just brought her along for the money.

Once he's got his hands on that, she's excess baggage

and a witness against him, to boot.

You think he'll kill her?

He'll do anything to her an Indian would, and maybe worse.

Not only that, but if he gets caught,

he can make it look like it was Indians.

And nobody could prove different.

Look, we could cut straight across

to Lance Creek, save a lot of time.

Ah, he may not even be taking her that way, Corporal.

She wouldn't know the difference.

We better stay to the trail. Come on.

You still worried?

I don't think you even know where Lance Creek is.

What if I didn't?

What'd you do about it, kick me out?

Tie a can to me?

You think you could find your way back to Dodge without me?

What is it?

Nothing, I guess.

By the way, you didn't leave nothing valuable back there

in that hotel room, did you?

No.

Just a suitcase and some clothes.

But you brought the money like I told you?

Didn't leave that, did you?

What if I did?

But I told you.

I don't want to have to go back there.

That marshal'll be looking for me.

I told you!

Don't worry, I brought it.

But just what I promised you, no more.

You don't trust me.

No, I don't, Mr. Peck.

You got a gun.

You don't think I'd be fool enough

to come out here with you without one, do you?

Oh, now you, you got me all wrong, lady.

You think I'd bring you out here to rob you or something?

You think I don't know where that burying place is?

Well, I'll just show you.

I was only playing a little joke, that's all.

Just playing a little joke.

Playing a little joke?

What does that mean?

Why, we're right here.

This is where it is.

You can see the graves right over there.

Crosses and all.

Under the bank, if you'd care to look.

You still don't trust me, do you?

Here... I'm just gonna give you my gun.

There you are now.

You go on over there, see for yourself.

Hold it.

Now drop the ax.

Go on, drop it!

He never intended to take me, did he?

Well, just close enough

so it'd look like he was taking you there.

In case they ever found your body.

We are close then?

It's not far.

Maybe an hour.

We're gonna be leaving here at dawn.

If we're lucky, we'll get out of the Nations

before the Indians find out we been here.

It's funny, his killing me isn't what worried me.

I never thought of that.

Better get some sleep.

Psst.

Johnny.

What is it, Mady?

I would have waited for you.

He told me that you weren't coming.

What did he tell you about me?

It wasn't that.

I just couldn't desert, Mady.

You're Army, you ought to know that.

But you're here now.

Right. On leave, by permission.

Then you won't be deserting if you take me tomorrow.

I... I don't think the Marshal would allow it.

Johnny, what harm can it do?

We're so close.

And I'll find out now, once and for all.

Don't you see? There's no other way.

I'll... I'll never know.

I'll... I'll never be free.

Please... Please.

I don't know.

I'll talk to the Marshal, Mady.

Maybe I can persuade him.

Maybe you can.

Mady... Goodnight, Corporal.

All saddled, ready to go.

Marshal... I been thinking.

Why couldn't we go by way of Lance Creek?

We could cut straight up from there to Dodge,

and it might not take any longer.

Because we couldn't stop to do any looking anyway,

- so what's the difference? - But maybe we'll find...

Johnny, we're in danger every minute we're down here.

And especially her.

She's not afraid of danger.

Neither am I.

Look, if you won't go, she and I are going.

Now, Johnny, you listen to me.

Get the Marshal's gun, Johnny.

Oh, now, Mady, this is wrong.

Are you a man or aren't you?

I told you, you wouldn't get into any trouble over this.

Get the Marshal's gun.

Marshal, I didn't want anything like this.

Will you just, please, tell us we can go?

I can tell you one thing,

you're wasting your time on somebody that isn't worth it.

And there's nothing that you can do to stop us, Marshal.

I'm gonna tell you, just once,

put that gun down.

Marshal...

Kiowas.

There's too many of them to fight.

We couldn't possibly fight 'em.

Put that gun away.

Go on.

Paba-ido.

It's good to see you again, my friend.

Paba-ido.

I, too, am glad.

My friend come here any time.

Not others.

There is treaty.

I know, Little Bear.

The others... they're with me.

Under my protection.

Why?

Well, the woman, she's traveled a long way

to find something of her husband.

Where he died.

Died?

At Lance Creek.

Her man, soldier?

Big fight.

Many die.

Kiowa, too.

I know.

But she's traveled far, all the way from Washington.

Little Bear...

Please, let us go to that place.

Even if he was a soldier, he-he was my husband.

I take you there.

Better so.

- Paba-ido. - Paba-ido.

Is this the place?

It was right over there I fell...

hid... saw it all.

Are these the graves of the other men?

Only now that I'm here, it's not like I thought it would be.

I don't quite know where to start.

I guess we should start to look for clues or something.

Bluecoats came there... Kiowa there.

When here... Big fight.

Little Bear, were you... in the fight?

Came soon after.

Well, what happened to the Captain?

Ask him...

Little Bear, the... the chief of the soldiers...

was her husband.

Very brave man.

Very great warrior.

You be proud.

Well, I know that,

but where did you bury his body?

If you came after the fighting, then you must have seen him.

That one not buried here.

I know that.

Now, please, tell me where.

Another place.

Very good.

Do not fear.

Tell me where!

Not tell.

You must tell me where.

I'm his wife.

I've come all this way just to find him.

I've come from Washington, the government.

I just want to bring him back

to give him a burial with much honor.

Mrs. Arthur...

Indians don't allow a body to be moved once it's buried.

He's got to bring me there.

I can't have come all this way and not get to see his grave.

You've got to bring me there! Please.

Please...

Come.

They've given him an Indian burial.

Wrapped in a chief's blanket.

Do you know what that means, Mrs. Arthur?

It means he was buried with honors by his enemy.

Do you want more of a hero's grave than that?

- I want to see him. - That's as far as you can go.

Don't you see, I've got to have proof.

I've got to bring back a ring, a watch, something, anything...

Everything depends on this.

Don't you see, I-I haven't got anything after this trip.

Everything's being held up, his will, his insurance, everything.

My family has influence,

but they're poor, and he's rich, he's rich!

Just a minute, Marshal.

You don't understand.

Yeah, I think I understand.

I understand that you're willing to come out here

and break an Indian treaty,

ruin that young corporal's life,

maybe get a few other people killed into the bargain.

You said you were poor and your husband was rich.

Well, you were right, Mrs. Arthur.

Your husband had dignity and respect.

That's something you can't buy.

Don't worry, Mrs. Arthur, you'll get your money back.

We'll testify that your husband's dead.

Oh...

All right, let's go, Corporal.