Original subtitles

Ya, ya!

Move on there, girls!

Ya there, blast your lazy old hides!

You run like Arbuckles.

Useless as a knot in a stake rope.

- Kathy? - Yes Mama?

Now you're carrying the stage driver business too far.

But the stage is behind schedule,

and you know Wells Fargo doesn't like that.

Well late or not, you don't have to

use that kind of language, it's very unladylike.

It's what Papa says.

Your daddy's no lady.

Not much of a gentlemen, for that matter.

Come on in now, your lunch is ready.

Whoa.

Mrs. Lowell?

Yes?

See if you can find the wraps.

Who are you?

Why have you come here?

What do you want?

Better turn the buggy around.

Marie's waiting for this.

See that she gets it.

She knows what to do.

Better watch 'em, they're heavy.

Like I say, they're heavy.

You old yahoo!

You're as clumsy as ever.

By golly, good to see ya Swede.

It's been a long time since we had a ride together.

Yeah, I knew they were sending me a driver.

I had no idea it'd be you.

Well now who would you expect

with the best mule skinner on the line?

Yeah.

Hey now, let me help you there old-timer, here.

- Yeah. - Ooh it's quite heavy at that.

Is this our load?

Not quite, there's a few more of 'em in there.

Mm, they're making gold heavier these days.

It's not really gold, but it's just as valuable.

They're drills for the Rawlson mine fields.

Only ones like 'em in the United States.

They had 'em shipped over here all the way from Europe.

Uh-oh, girls are getting impatient.

Come on, I'd like to have you meet 'em.

Be a couple of men with the Wells Fargo office

over here to pick these up.

Jim, meet Lucille.

She's so sure-footed she could walk

a hog back no more than six inches wide.

This is Gladys.

She's the best lead in the country.

Well Chi-Chi here's a mite cantankerous,

but she's mighty fleet of foot.

Chi-Chi.

Well aren't you hungry, Chi-Chi?

All right, later.

This is old Mabel.

She's so blind, she can't see through a barbed wire fence,

but when she's in there the other girls know

they sure better go.

Yes sir, when it comes to some in the high country,

I don't go anywhere without my girls, agreed?

If you say so.

Now I am hungrier than a woodpecker with a headache.

What do you say we go wrap ourselves around some chow?

You're on, let's go.

All right.

Closest one gets to that line there,

gets to keep the gold eagle.

Well I do declare!

Look like I done died and gone straight to heaven.

Aw naw, it couldn't be.

I gone there and ain't no angel

got a painted face like that.

You know what, ma'am?

I see friendly written all over you.

Come on, let's me and you get friendly over a drink, huh?

Leave her alone, cowboy.

Sorry, ma'am.

I think I'll just blow a hole through you

and then see how you look.

Oh now, put that thing away before you hurt somebody.

Go right inside, and have a drink now.

Sorry.

It's fine.

Here Jim, cool this one off!

Got another one for ya, Jim!

Last fish.

Now that reminds me, I'm still hungry.

- How about chow? - Let's go.

Thank you both very much,

but I really could've taken care of it.

Well, don't you think of thinking a word about it, ma'am.

When I see a man insult a woman,

it just makes my spine crawl.

Well, thank you again anyway,

and if there's ever anything I can do

to return the favor, just let me know.

Thank you.

Well, now that you mention it

I've worked up quite an appetite too.

Marie.

Now take it easy with 'em, they're heavy.

Tie 'em down good, 'cause they're

not only heavy, they're valuable.

How can they be so valuable?

They don't look like anything but some drills to me.

Difference is in the cutting edge.

They're made from black diamonds,

and they can just about cut through anything.

What's the Rawlings Mining Company got in mind for them?

Quite some time ago they were

mining a silver vein that ran almost on top of the ground.

Then it disappeared into the mountain.

Most of the miners left the area,

but those that stayed they had to dig higher and deeper.

The Rawlings Company has waited just about a year for these.

Now we're not only gonna be carrying those drills,

but we're gonna be carrying other mining equipment as well.

Gonna be heavy, gonna be a hard trip.

The way I figure, we leave out of Gloribee here,

we take the Crest Road up to North Meadows.

We can camp there for the night.

My girls can pull that holding their breath.

Well tomorrow's when their work's really cut out for them,

'cause we're gonna leave the main road and go north,

over to Eagle Pass.

Have you ever been that way before?

Once, not much of a road and straight up.

Almost all the way.

They sure put those mines in secluded places.

They put the mines where the ore is.

Well, the girls and me are ready.

How about you?

Well now I'm not so sure.

What is it?

Spring storms have already started up in the mountains,

some of the roads are washed out.

Are you thinking of canceling this trip?

We can if we want to.

We're authorized to cancel any trip

that jeopardizes our equipment.

Now Jim, me and the girls didn't come

halfway across the state just to wait for the rains to stop.

I'm a week late getting home already.

Helen and Kathy will be fit to be tied.

And the Rawlings Mining Company

has been a good customer for a long time.

They waited a long time on those drills, too.

Well then let's get 'em there.

Well, let's do that.

Well now, after that dress this morning

I hardly recognized you,

but I guess I'd have gotten around to it.

Should I wait in here or just go and get in the wagon?

I beg your pardon, ma'am?

Well that wagon, it is going to the Rawlings mine, isn't it?

- Well yes, but... - I'm your passenger.

Well I'm sorry, but this time we're carrying only cargo.

Ah, Wells Fargo.

Scheduled and unscheduled carrier.

License for carrying passengers and freight.

So by law you have to take me.

Real brainy, kinda reminds me of Mabel.

Mabel?

Well I hope you don't take this unkindly ma'am,

Mabel's one of my mules.

And if you'd read that sign just a little bit further,

you'd see that we have the right

to refuse service to anyone.

Oh, I didn't mean to be rude really,

but I just have to go, I have to.

You see, it's my brother.

He works at the Rawlings mine and he's expecting me.

Well it's gonna be much more practical

if your brother comes down here to visit you, ma'am.

Well I'm afraid that isn't possible.

You see, he had an accident in the mine about a month ago.

Well he lost one of his legs.

Well I'm sorry.

Aw, come on Jim. We've got plenty of room.

This is no trip for a woman, Swede.

You know that.

Well not with somebody else maybe,

but you got me and the girls.

This trip will be as smooth as butter.

Aw, come on Jim, show her we got a heart as big as hers.

Every time I let you talk me into something,

we wind up losing something.

All right ma'am.

Oh thank you, thank you very much.

Our meeting this morning was rather informal.

I'm Marie Jarnier.

Well I'm Jim Hardie.

Swede Howell, ma'am.

Better get the ladies ready, excuse me.

If you come on over here, we'll get you a ticket, I suppose.

Now Lucille, there may be some washouts on the road

so mind your business.

And Chi-Chi, I expect you to set us a good, fast pace.

Hey, you're hungry now.

Gladys, I want you to keep your mind on your business,

not let it wander like you did last month outta Reno.

You understand?

Mabel, I just want you to keep

the rest of the girls in line, understand?

There's still time to change your mind, Ms. Jarnier.

Not gonna be a very easy trip.

I found out a long time ago

that anything worthwhile isn't easy.

They're all tied down and ready to roll, Jim,

Ms. Jarnier.

All right, ladies.

Whenever you're ready.

Hiyah, hiyah!

Now there sure wasn't no love light in that cow's eyes.

Old Jim, he frogs it across the ground,

he made it to the fence,

not losing much more than his dignity.

Yes sir, I tell you, when it comes to

a cow with a fresh branded calf she may be a mother,

but she sure ain't no lady.

Hey Jim, you're not being much company.

I was just thinking about the run tomorrow.

You expecting trouble?

I don't know.

If we get a storm up in those mountains though,

it's gonna make those roads awful dangerous.

Well, I'd better get the ladies bedded down.

They get real cross if they don't get a good night's rest.

You know, there's an old superstition

about women bringing bad luck being on shipboard.

You suppose that applies to cargo wagons as well?

I don't see why it should.

Well, after all your problems did start with me.

How do you mean?

When you and Swede saved my honor.

Well I think Swede did most of the saving.

You found that quite amusing, haven't you?

Yes, but not in the way you think, really.

I appreciated it,

but it's all part of a game to me.

What kind of game?

I call it a little boy's game.

Honor, gallantry, friendship even to death.

What values do you believe in, Ms. Jarnier?

Reality.

A recognition that we're all a part of the human race.

And coming from me, that's no compliment.

Would you like a little more coffee?

I suppose you have a good reason for feeling like you do.

What story would you like to hear,

about the girl who wanted to be a singer

and was disillusioned by the men

she met along the way in her fight for a career?

Or about the maiden who found out too late

that her suitor was already married?

I imagine the true story would be interesting enough.

The truth is, Mr. Hardie, I'm the versatile type.

Ways of making a living, I've tried 'em all.

And for a girl, there's always a word of encouragement.

Come with me to Atlanta, dear.

there a opportunities there.

It's the same way in San Francisco and Chicago,

just to mention a few.

Oh it's a sweet world of wine and roses,

just as soon as you find out one thing,

to believe in no one and to think only of yourself.

And what do you think an attitude

like that's gonna get ya?

Just what I want, money.

No brotherly love, just money.

Afraid everyone needs someone.

You'll find that out as you go along.

I hope it's not too late.

It's getting late, and you ought to get a little rest.

I'll fix you a bed in the wagon there.

You'll find it comfortable, I'm sure.

I think I'll stay up for a little while, thanks.

Now Chi-Chi, I know how it is,

you being young and hot-blooded and all.

You're gonna want to shake this blanket off,

but you got an awful cold a month ago, you remember?

You remember?

Well all right, don't do it.

Lucille,

now if I catch you acting playful again tonight,

and nipping the other girls in the hindquarters,

you're gonna hear it from me, you understand?

Well, do you understand?

Well all right.

Goodnight, ladies.

When this job's done, we're going back to the farm

for a few weeks just to eat, rest, and meditate.

So tomorrow, let's have a good final performance.

Mabel?

Swede?

Oh Ms. Jarnier, I thought you'd be in bed by now.

I got the girls all bedded down proper.

If it's a rough ride tomorrow, they'll see us through.

Won't you, Gladys, hm?

All right the carrot now, there you go.

Guess you think me pretty stupid

carrying on the way I do over four mules.

There's nothing stupid about having a kind heart.

It's kind of a rare thing, that's all.

Well now most people laugh,

but they just don't understand.

I mean, horses are fine.

I don't deny that, but when it comes to a mule,

well a man just don't have to fish around

for decorative language to make himself understood.

You know I got a theory about a mule.

Now they're a big and an ugly animal

most people just find fun to laugh at.

Don't hardly ever find anybody to give 'em love.

When you come right down to it,

there are people like that.

Love is a most special thing.

When a man finds it, he's got to know

he's the luckiest human in the world.

Well, listen to me spouting off words

as big as a skinned horse

and just about as much use to a man.

Well, we got a big day tomorrow getting up that mountain.

I think I'll turn in.

Swede?

Where'd you get this?

My friends took it from your house.

Your wife and daughter

have been taken to a comfortable place, they're all right.

They'll remain all right as long as you do as you're told.

Swede, I have no control over your wife's safety

unless you do exactly as I tell you.

Now Swede, all we want are those drills.

Don't make us take anything else.

Push!

Hah!

Easy!

Hah, hah!

Hah!

Hah!

Hah hah!

Push, hah!

Push!

Dunno what's gotten into him.

Everybody has problems, even people who are happy.

Yeah, but he's never taken 'em out on his mules before.

They're the dearest things in his life,

outside of his family.

How long have you and Swede been friends?

A long time now.

He used to work for Wells Fargo a long time ago.

Swede's a big fellow, he's got a way of attracting trouble.

Attracted it one time too many for Wells Fargo's taste

and they fired him.

Just about that time I walked into the saloon where he was,

and I suppose he looked at me as a symbol of Wells Fargo

and knocked me right back through the window.

Kind of a strange way to start a friendship.

Yeah, there was something about the big fella I liked.

Had a big job coming up, and I could use a man like him.

I went to Wells Fargo and I asked 'em

if they wouldn't give him another chance.

I'd take full responsibility for him.

They took the chance and hired him back.

He went with me on that trip,

and lucky thing for me he did, too.

He saved my life.

We've been friends ever since.

I didn't know there were men like you two in this world.

Jim?

Is this the cutoff to Eagle Pass?

Theagnd all right, it's the old Pony Express bypass.

I'll go up ahead there and see if it's passable.

I can't stand this anymore,

where have you got Helen and Kathy?

They're perfectly all right.

Where are they?

What is it you want me to do?

I'll tell you when the time comes,

now you're just gonna have to trust me, Swede.

You're just gonna have to.

If I remember right, there's an old weigh station

about 10 miles up ahead there.

We can spend the night there.

Now this trail's passable, but it's pretty steep.

You think your ladies here can make it?

They'll make it.

All right.

Come on girls, yah!

Hah!

Hah!

Hah, hah!

Push!

Hah, hah!

Hah!

Hah hah!

Push, hah!

Hah!

Hold!

All right, girls.

Now, after all my big talk,

you're making us look awful foolish in front of these folks.

Now let's move, hah!

Hah!

Well now I am surprised.

I am plum surprised.

What are Kathy and Helen gonna think when I tell 'em?

What'll...

Hah, hah!

Hah, hah!

Hah!

Something bothering you, Swede?

Thought I heard a...

Guess it's just the wind.

I'm gonna turn in.

Goodnight.

Well, we should make the mining camp tomorrow night.

With any luck with the weather at all.

A little late in the year to get too much snow, however.

Glad we got this old shack to stay in tonight.

Kinda chilly out there.

I can't believe it.

Men really lived here?

They not only lived here, they were glad to have the opportunity.

We've got a hard day tomorrow.

I'm gonna go join Swede.

You stay in here where it's warm.

- See you in the morning. - Goodnight.

Well now what's bothering you?

I could swear I heard something out there.

Maybe you'd better go check on your ladies then, mother hen.

What is it?

There's something out there with the mules.

All right?

Lucille, Mabel.

Chi-Chi?

Yeah, none of the girls got a scratch.

How soon will we be back on the main road, Mr. Hardie?

Well this bypass joins it

up the mountain there about three miles.

If the storm holds off,

we oughta have a whole lot easier trip after that.

Well I'm sure of that.

Swede?

This map shows an abandoned town right there.

Do you know it?

Yeah, I know it.

What about it?

Well about a half mile south of there,

where the bridge used to be,

we're gonna meet a man named Rossi.

Yeah?

At this point, I want you to make sure

that something happens to the wagon.

What are you asking me to...

Never in my life have I...

Never in your life have you had such a reason.

Well that's the first time I ever saw the mules

get the upper hand on you.

It happened, what do you want me to say?

All right, just hold it right there.

Nice work, Marie. Mr. Jensen's gonna be pleased.

All right, let's get those drills off the wagon.

Congratulations, Ms. Jarnier.

Look all we're interested in is the drills.

The rest of the equipment we're gonna leave on the wagon.

Where we're headed is just across the river over there.

Now you two men can carry a box apiece,

and the big fella, he can handle two.

What about my mules?

Hitched to that broken rig, they'll starve.

Well Harry, then you just better walk over there and shoot 'em.

No.

What is it you want to do with 'em?

Just let me unhitch 'em and give 'em a chance.

All right, go ahead.

Okay Mr. Hardie, you can unload the boxes by yourself.

Hope you don't find 'em too heavy.

You're gonna have to carry them clear down there

and put 'em on that barge and float 'em across the river.

While you're doing that,

you might hand down Ms. Jarnier's bag there.

Won't be any need for you to take your own.

Mangy old bag of bones.

Now get outta here.

Did you hear what I said?

Get lost!

You hear me, I said get outta my life.

Yah, get outta here!

Get outta my life!

All right, big fella there,

you put those boxes up here on the pier.

Did you ever see this place before, Hardie?

I've heard about it, never been here.

Think they called it Hope.

Yeah, Hope.

It's kind of a funny name for a town, isn't it?

But that's what it was based on, Hope.

And the ore they found underneath it.

But like a lot of other mining towns,

when the mines played out, the people left.

You seem to know a good deal about it.

No, not really.

Just about the man who inherited it, Roland Jensen.

I met him in San Francisco and I'm gonna marry him.

Right after you dispose of the drills.

Mm-hmm, something like that.

I'll be looking forward to seeing this Jensen.

He'll be here before long.

And if I were you Hardie, I wouldn't rush that meeting

because for you, that time will come soon enough.

Rossi!

So they bought you too, huh?

All right Mr. Hardie, may I escort you to your room?

Swede, Swede!

Well Mr. Hardie, the little town of Hope

offers you its finest accommodations.

I admit it's not very much,

but it just might keep you dry in case that storm breaks.

Oh Harry, I want you to stay here and keep an eye on 'em

and bring 'em over to the store after dark.

That's where Jensen wants us to meet him.

Come on, Marie.

Mr. Hardie?

I just want you to know that Swede did what he did because he had to.

Jensen has his family.

It was my job to convince him of that.

It's not quite like you, is it?

What do you mean?

Being concerned over someone else's feelings.

Why didn't you tell me about Helen and your kid?

What would you have done, Jim?

Cast down some lightning and struck 'em down?

We'll get out of it, somehow.

Well, Jim.

This grand little town offers you

its welcome and solicitations.

You know, a grand little town it is.

Oh I admit that it's dead, but it just won't roll over.

And those boxes over there, four little boxes.

But the only four little boxes of their kind

in the whole world.

With those four boxes, a man could

buy himself a dozen little towns.

You know you ought to have been here

when this place was in its prime.

There were people walking in the street,

and miners in here 100 deep.

And friendly girls, enough to go around.

What about you, Marie?

You're a mighty friendly little girl.

Rossi, stop it.

Sure.

Stop!

Jensen's late.

Probably got held up in that storm.

Probably won't be back before morning.

Hold it, Harry!

I'll handle this.

It had to happen sometime.

Just as well it happened now.

You all right, my dear?

I think he's had you on his mind for quite some time.

If Mr. Hardie hadn't killed him,

it would have been up to me.

I owe you a great deal, Mr. Hardie.

You and Mr. Lowell.

You fight for Marie and set me up in business as well.

Those drills are traceable.

You'll never get any use out of them.

On the contrary, Mr. Hardie.

It's your customer, the Rawlings Mining Company

who won't be able to put those drills to use,

and that's quite important to me.

What have you got against 'em?

There was a time when there was life

when my father built this town.

Life and the wealth that was under the ground,

but Rawlings took that all away.

Instead of life, he gave us ghosts.

You can't blame them for that.

The vein played out underneath this town.

They merely set up a claim where the ore showed up again.

To me they're responsible,

and I intend to make them pay.

Mr. Hardie, you say these drills are traceable in this country,

but across the border, who's going to be so particular?

In fact, there's a mining syndicate

from whom I already have a large commitment.

When those drills don't show up at that mine,

they're gonna start looking for them.

They'll find that wagon,

and you'll have 100 men looking for ya.

You won't make it halfway to the Mexican border.

That's right, but they'll be looking along that road.

Not on the river.

You see, the river cuts through the Crystal Canyon

and comes out at Green Valley.

The other side of the range from here.

I think we'll be quite safe from there.

Oh, there's one more favor I have to ask of you.

The boat will meet us about a mile downstream,

the other side of the falls,

so you two gentlemen will have to

move the drills down there for me.

Take them back 'til I call for them.

Where are they, Kathy and Helen?

Across the street.

Mrs. Lowell, we'll be leaving in a few minutes.

Miss Jarnier will stay with you and the child 'til then.

Swede?

Is he...

Your husband's fine.

He and Mr. Hardie are moving some things downriver for us.

Please, do anything you want to with me,

but Swede and Kathy, please?

Don't worry, Mrs. Lowell.

Everything will be over very soon.

None of us are gonna get out of this alive, you know,

and it's all your fault.

Well now Jim, I...

If you'd just done your job,

you'd just done what you're getting paid for

we wouldn't be in this fix now.

Why Jim, you can't...

What's wrong with you?

You're what's wrong with me.

Now Jim you've gotta stop it, you hear me?

Stop it!

Oh, Jim?

You stop that, or I'm gonna have to hit you good.

Hardie, I'm warning you!

Now drop that gun or I'll kill the woman!

Hardie, I mean it, now come on out,

or I shoot the woman!

You got 10 seconds.

Jim, please for the love of God, do what he says!

He can't afford to let any of us go.

Five seconds, Hardie.

I mean it!

Hardie, I mean it!

I mean it.

No sense killing them now, Roland.

We didn't quite pull it off,

but jail is better than a rope.

Jim, where's Swede?

He's down below.

With right is might.

Guess you'd say I was on the wrong side, huh?

This the time I'm supposed to repent?

It might be a little late for that now.

What a shame.

Beautiful future sitting right there across the street.

I don't suppose you'd be interested?

No, your type never is.

Get on down the road, you hear me?

Get your lazy old hides moving!

You run like Arbuckles, useless as a knot in a stake rope!

Helen, where did that child pick up such language?

Doesn't it have a familiar ring?

Mommy, Daddy, look who's here!

- Jim, come in. - Hello Jim!

As ugly as you are, you're still a sight for sore eyes.

Good to see you, Swede.

- How's it going? - Oh, couldn't be better.

You sure?

What have you got in your mind?

Well, when we went out there to pick up that wagon, guess what we found?

Four of the most homesick mules you've ever seen in your life.

No!

Mabel!

Ladies!

Aw, Lucille!

Bet you never thought when you married him

you'd wind up playing second fiddle

to a bunch of mules, did ya Helen?

Helen, get me some carrots!